Ginkgo Biloba is a very powerful herbal product that has been
shown to have a number of beneficial attributes. Ginkgo Biloba is
manufactured and sold in Europe under pharmaceutical and
commission E standards, is best known for its ability to enhance
circulation systemically. The extract has been shown in hundreds
of studies to increases the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and
all other body parts. Most of the market has been developed
around Ginkgo's ability to improve blood flow to the brain, which
increases the oxygen supply and therefore the potential for
improved mental function. Ginkgo's action is directly related to the
vaso- relaxing activity that the herb seems to have, the active
ingredient that performs this action has been identified to be the
nitric oxide (NO). The NO induces vasodilatation by activating a
soluble guanylate cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle, which
relaxes the surrounding tissue. Ginkgo Biloba by this action can
also lower blood pressure; and in conjunction with this ability it
has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness).
The studies performed using Gingko Biloba have been especially
promising in the area of senility; this is where most of the current
market is being perpetuated. The region within this field of study
that has shown the most promise is the research on Alzheimer's
disease. If used during the early stages of the disease, it has
been shown that the mental deterioration that is associated with
the pathology can be decreased. Studies show that taking a
standardized Gingko Biloba extract increases the functionality of
the acetylcholine (a nerve chemical) receptors that are damaged
as the disease progresses. The dose rate to illicit a positive
response has been shown to be relatively small, and the product
can be taken indefinitely. The user just has to make sure they are
taking a quality product that contains the appropriate 24 %
flavone glycosides and 6% terpene content. The user can expect
results only after taking the product for 3-6 months on a daily
basis. Some users report results in shorter periods, it all depends
on the severity of the symptoms.
Research Findings
Anti-tumor Activities
Chao et al concluded that ginkgo biloba extract significantly
suppressed proliferation and increased cytotoxicity in human
hepatocellular carcinoma.
[Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cell proliferation and
cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Chao et al,
World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Jan;10(1):37-41.]
Xu et al concluded that the effect of Ginkgo biloba on human
gastric cancer was related to the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and
c-fos genes, which can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis
and differentiation of tumor cells. [Therapeutic mechanism of
Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer. Xu et al,
Yangzhou University, China. World J Gastroenterol 2003
Nov;9(11):2424-7.]
Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Amyloid beta-peptide has been found to have a role in the
free-radical oxidative-stress model of neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's
disease. Hydrogen peroxide level was elevated with AD-associated
transgenic cells expressing the amyloid beta-peptide. Treatment of
these cells with Ginkgo biloba extract significantly attenuated the
basal as well as the hydrogen peroxide-realted reactive oxygen
species levels. [Elevation of oxidative free radicals in Alzheimer's
disease models can be attenuated by Ginkgo biloba extract EGb
761. Smith et al, The University of Southern Mississippi, USA. J
Alzheimers Dis. 203 Aug;5(4):287-300].
WARNING
Ginkgo biloba have anticoagulatn and anti-platelet properties, high
doses may contracindicate in those being treated for vascular
disorder. [1]
Contra indications include not taking the product before surgery,
so you should check with your doctor before undergoing any
procedure. The preferred form as recommended by the European
commission E standards is a Gingko that has less than 5 ppm of
Ginkgolic acids. Ginkgolic acids are a naturally occurring component
of the lipid fraction of the extract.
High doses of ginkgo biloba leaf extract may also cause
hemorrhage in patients. [2] Ginkgo biloba may also lead to ocular
side effects. [3]
REFERENCES
[1] Bartlett H. Possible contraindications and adverse reactions associated
with the use of ocular nutritional supplements. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt.
2005 May;25(3):179-94.[2] Koch E. Inhibition of platelet activating factor
(PAF)-induced aggregation of human thrombocytes by ginkgolides:
considerations on possible bleeding complications after oral intake of
ginkgo biloba extracts. Phytomedicine. 2005 jan;12(1-2):10-6.[3]
Fraunfelder FW. ocular side effects from herbal medicines and nutritional
supplements. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 oct;138(4):639-47.
MORE EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES MAY BE NEEDED TO CONFIRM THE RESEARCH
FINDINGS. THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY.
shown to have a number of beneficial attributes. Ginkgo Biloba is
manufactured and sold in Europe under pharmaceutical and
commission E standards, is best known for its ability to enhance
circulation systemically. The extract has been shown in hundreds
of studies to increases the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and
all other body parts. Most of the market has been developed
around Ginkgo's ability to improve blood flow to the brain, which
increases the oxygen supply and therefore the potential for
improved mental function. Ginkgo's action is directly related to the
vaso- relaxing activity that the herb seems to have, the active
ingredient that performs this action has been identified to be the
nitric oxide (NO). The NO induces vasodilatation by activating a
soluble guanylate cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle, which
relaxes the surrounding tissue. Ginkgo Biloba by this action can
also lower blood pressure; and in conjunction with this ability it
has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness).
The studies performed using Gingko Biloba have been especially
promising in the area of senility; this is where most of the current
market is being perpetuated. The region within this field of study
that has shown the most promise is the research on Alzheimer's
disease. If used during the early stages of the disease, it has
been shown that the mental deterioration that is associated with
the pathology can be decreased. Studies show that taking a
standardized Gingko Biloba extract increases the functionality of
the acetylcholine (a nerve chemical) receptors that are damaged
as the disease progresses. The dose rate to illicit a positive
response has been shown to be relatively small, and the product
can be taken indefinitely. The user just has to make sure they are
taking a quality product that contains the appropriate 24 %
flavone glycosides and 6% terpene content. The user can expect
results only after taking the product for 3-6 months on a daily
basis. Some users report results in shorter periods, it all depends
on the severity of the symptoms.
Research Findings
Anti-tumor Activities
Chao et al concluded that ginkgo biloba extract significantly
suppressed proliferation and increased cytotoxicity in human
hepatocellular carcinoma.
[Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cell proliferation and
cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Chao et al,
World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Jan;10(1):37-41.]
Xu et al concluded that the effect of Ginkgo biloba on human
gastric cancer was related to the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and
c-fos genes, which can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis
and differentiation of tumor cells. [Therapeutic mechanism of
Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer. Xu et al,
Yangzhou University, China. World J Gastroenterol 2003
Nov;9(11):2424-7.]
Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Amyloid beta-peptide has been found to have a role in the
free-radical oxidative-stress model of neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's
disease. Hydrogen peroxide level was elevated with AD-associated
transgenic cells expressing the amyloid beta-peptide. Treatment of
these cells with Ginkgo biloba extract significantly attenuated the
basal as well as the hydrogen peroxide-realted reactive oxygen
species levels. [Elevation of oxidative free radicals in Alzheimer's
disease models can be attenuated by Ginkgo biloba extract EGb
761. Smith et al, The University of Southern Mississippi, USA. J
Alzheimers Dis. 203 Aug;5(4):287-300].
WARNING
Ginkgo biloba have anticoagulatn and anti-platelet properties, high
doses may contracindicate in those being treated for vascular
disorder. [1]
Contra indications include not taking the product before surgery,
so you should check with your doctor before undergoing any
procedure. The preferred form as recommended by the European
commission E standards is a Gingko that has less than 5 ppm of
Ginkgolic acids. Ginkgolic acids are a naturally occurring component
of the lipid fraction of the extract.
High doses of ginkgo biloba leaf extract may also cause
hemorrhage in patients. [2] Ginkgo biloba may also lead to ocular
side effects. [3]
REFERENCES
[1] Bartlett H. Possible contraindications and adverse reactions associated
with the use of ocular nutritional supplements. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt.
2005 May;25(3):179-94.[2] Koch E. Inhibition of platelet activating factor
(PAF)-induced aggregation of human thrombocytes by ginkgolides:
considerations on possible bleeding complications after oral intake of
ginkgo biloba extracts. Phytomedicine. 2005 jan;12(1-2):10-6.[3]
Fraunfelder FW. ocular side effects from herbal medicines and nutritional
supplements. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 oct;138(4):639-47.
MORE EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES MAY BE NEEDED TO CONFIRM THE RESEARCH
FINDINGS. THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY.
Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects and Benefits
Zhion May 12, 2008
Zhion May 12, 2008
| Some people think that ginkgo biloba can enhance cognitive functions, while others use it as blood-pressure lowering agents. You should consult with your doctor before using any supplements. |
