Ginkgo Biloba Extract: A Nutraceutical for Mind and Heart

Introduction

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits and its role as a nutraceutical ingredient in health supplements. The following article summarizes the findings from multiple research papers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GBE in promoting health and wellbeing.

Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba Extract

1. Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Health
   • Ginkgo biloba has shown promising effects in managing metabolic syndrome (MetS), which includes conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. The major compounds in GBE, such as terpene lactones and flavone glycosides, contribute to its antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antilipidemic properties, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases [1].

2. Cognitive Function and Dementia
   • Ginkgo Biloba Extract has been extensively studied for its effects on cognitive impairment and dementia. Meta-analyses have demonstrated that Ginkgo Biloba Extract can alleviate symptoms of dementia, including tinnitus and dizziness, and improve cognitive function, behavior, and overall quality of life in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [2] [3] [4] [5].

3. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
   • Ginkgo biloba exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reduces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which helps in managing diseases related to oxidative stress, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, neurodegenerative diseases, and liver damage [6].

4. Mental Health and Anxiety
   • GBE has been used as an alternative medicine for treating anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Studies have shown that GBE can improve cognitive abilities and reduce anxiety in individuals with mental health conditions, making it a potential adjunct therapy for these disorders [7].

Categories of Nutraceutical Ingredients

Ginkgo biloba extract falls into the following categories of nutraceutical ingredients:

1. Phytochemicals
   • GBE is rich in phytochemicals, including terpene lactones (bilobalide and ginkgolides A, B, and C) and flavone glycosides (isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol). These compounds are responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects [1] [6].

2. Herbal Supplements
   • As a traditional herbal remedy, GBE has been used for centuries in various cultures to treat a range of health conditions. Its use in modern health supplements continues this tradition, leveraging its well-documented benefits for cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and metabolic syndrome [1] [4] [7].

Conclusion

Ginkgo biloba extract is a valuable nutraceutical ingredient with a wide range of health benefits. Its efficacy in improving cognitive function, managing metabolic syndrome, reducing oxidative stress, and alleviating anxiety makes it a promising component of health supplements. However, further clinical trials are needed to fully establish its safety and efficacy across different populations and health conditions.

References:

[1] Eisvand, F., Razavi, B., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2020). The effects of Ginkgo biloba on metabolic syndrome: A review.. Phytotherapy research : PTR. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6646. [Full text: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6646] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba may improve metabolic syndrome by reducing obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia.

[2] Spiegel, R., Kalla, R., Mantokoudis, G., Maire, R., Mueller, H., Hoerr, R., & Ihl, R. (2018). Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® alleviates neurosensory symptoms in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis of treatment effects on tinnitus and dizziness in randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 13, 1121 – 1127. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S157877. [PDF link: https://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=42602] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® effectively alleviates concomitant neurosensory symptoms, such as tinnitus and dizziness, in patients with dementia.

[3] Solfrizzi, V., & Panza, F. (2014). Plant-based nutraceutical interventions against cognitive impairment and dementia: meta-analytic evidence of efficacy of a standardized Gingko biloba extract.. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 43 2, 605-11 . https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-141887. [Full text: https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad141887] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Standardized Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 may stabilize or slow cognitive decline in cognitive impairment and dementia patients, with benefits mainly associated with 240 mg/day dose. 

[4] Barbalho, S., Direito, R., LAURINDO, L., Marton, L., Guiguer, É., Goulart, R., Tofano, R., Carvalho, A., Flato, U., Tofano, V., Detregiachi, C., Bueno, P., Girio, R., & Araújo, A. (2022). Ginkgo biloba in the Aging Process: A Narrative Review. Antioxidants, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11030525. [PDF link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/3/525/pdf?version=1646894541] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba can improve memory, cognition, and quality of life in aging-related conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer, while reducing stress and inflammation.

[5] Savaskan, E., Mueller, H., Hoerr, R., Gunten, A., & Gauthier, S. (2017). Treatment effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® on the spectrum of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Psychogeriatrics, 30, 285 – 293. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610217001892. [Full text: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/treatment-effects-of-ginkgo-biloba-extract-egb-761-on-the-spectrum-of-behavioral-and-psychological-symptoms-of-dementia-metaanalysis-of-randomized-controlled-trials/B4E1DCC0E7DDCD9898C0294DC437DB54] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® effectively improved behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and caregiver distress, except for psychotic-like features.

[6] Souza, G., Marqui, S., Matias, J., Guiguer, É., & Barbalho, S. (2020). Effects of Ginkgo biloba on Diseases Related to Oxidative Stress. Planta Medica, 86, 376 – 386. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1109-3405. [PDF link: http://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/a-1109-3405.pdf] 

Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties, providing a low-cost alternative for treating diseases related to oxidative stress.

[7] Singh, S., Barreto, G., Aliev, G., & Echeverria, V. (2017). Ginkgo biloba as an Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Anxiety in Dementia and other Psychiatric Disorders.. Current drug metabolism, 18 2, 112-119 . https://doi.org/10.2174/1389200217666161201112206. [Full text: https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/80069] Key Takeaway of Literature Review: Ginkgo biloba shows potential in improving cognitive abilities and reducing anxiety in dementia and other psychiatric disorders.