herb research - gingko

[Guest guest]

Ginkgo biloba

Therapeutic Actions:

* Antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidase and free radical damage

* Decreases platelet aggregation, adhesion and degranulation

* Diminishes cerebral edema

* Enhances membrane sodium-potassium ATPase

* Enhances utilization of oxygen and increases cellular uptake of glucose

* Improves mitochondrial respiration

* Improves synthesis of cerebral neurotransmitters

* Inhibits phosphodiesterase, increasing cAMP and promoting smooth muscle

relaxation

* Inhibits the action of proteolytic enzymes

* Modulation of neurotransmitter

* Normalizes acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampus

* Normalizes circulation in areas most affected by microembolization, i.e.

hippocampus and stratum

* Protects a transplanted kidney against cyclosporin damage

* Protects against radiation-induced injuries as shown in the use of ginkgo

at the Chernobyl disaster

* Stabilizes lysomal membranes

* Vasodilation by direct stimulation of the release of endothelium-derived

relaxing factor and prostacyclin)

Clinical Indications:

* Aging Prevention

* Alzheimer's disease

* Atherosclerosis

* Chronic fatigue syndrome

* Congestive heart failure

* Depression

* Eczema

* Hypothyroidism

* Impotence

* Macular degeneration

* Memory loss

* Multiple sclerosis

* Bed wetting

* Chemical toxicity

* Coronary ischemia

* Degenerative diseases

* Dementia

* Diabetic retinopathy

* Dizziness and disturbed equilibrium

* Erectile dysfunction

* Hearing loss, tinnitus

* Inappropriate platelet aggregation

* Intermittent claudication

* Migraines due to its ability to stabilize platelets and serotonin levels

in the brain

* Raynauds disease

* Retinal insufficiency

* Senility

* Varicose veins

Contraindications:

* Amenorrhea (Ginkgolide B may prevent ovulation through its activity as a

PAF antagonist and create anovulatory menstrual cycles)

* Menorrhagia

* Since ginkgo increases blood supply to the brain, caution is to be taken

in high-risk stroke patients

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

* Aspirin and ginkgo taken concurrently may produce spontaneous bleeding

due to reduced platelet aggretion activity

* Potentiates papaverine penile injections for impotence

Chemical Constituents:

* Aglycones:

Isorthamnetine

Kaempferol

Quercetin

* Carptempods:

Lutein

Zeaxanthin

* Heteroside flavonoids

* Organic acids

* Proanthocyanidins:

Cyanidine

Delphinidine

* Terpenes:

Diterpene ginkgolides A, B and C (Ginkgolide B is a PAF antagonist)

Sesquiterpene bilobalide

Toxicity:

* Contact with or ingestion of the fruit pulp has produced severe allergic

reactions - the correct form of ginkgo is: Standardized extract (24% ginkgo

heterosides): 40 mg. 3 times per day