The Medical Benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE)

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The Medical Benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE)

JoAnn Guest

Nov 05, 2004 22:34 PST

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Biological Name: Ginkgo biloba,

Other Names: Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo Biloba

Parts Used: Leaves

Active Compounds:

 

http://holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h62.htm

 

The medical benefits of ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) rely on the

proper balance of two groups of active components: the ginkgo

flavone glycosides and the terpene lactones. The 24% ginkgo flavone

glycoside designation on GBE labels indicates the carefully measured

balance of bioflavonoids.

 

These bioflavonoids are primarily responsible for GBE's antioxidant

activity and ability to inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness).

 

These two actions may help GBE prevent circulatory diseases, such as

atherosclerosis, and support the brain and central nervous system.

 

The unique terpene lactone components found in GBE, known as

ginkgolides and bilobalide, increase circulation to the brain and

other parts of the body as well as exert a protective effect on

nerve cells.

 

Ginkgolides may improve circulation and inhibit platelet-activating

factor (PAF).

 

Bilobalide protects the cells of the nervous system. Recent animal

studies indicate that bilobalide may help regenerate damaged nerve

cells.

 

History:

 

Medicinal use of ginkgo can be traced back almost 5,000 years in

Chinese herbal medicine. It was recommended for respiratory tract

ailments as well as memory loss in the elderly.

 

Today, Ginkgo biloba extract is recognized as an invaluable aid in

the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

 

Remedies For:

Symptomatic relief of organic brain dysfunction

 

Intermittent Claudification

 

Vertigo (vascular origin)

 

Tinnitus (vascular origin)

 

It is useful for disturbed brain functions, which result in

dizziness, tinnitus, and headache with emotional lability and

anxiety.

 

Ginkgo has also been demonstrated to improve concentration and

memory deficits as a result of peripheral arterial occlusive

disease.

 

Other Applications:

 

Alzheimer's disease

Atherosclerosis

Cerebrovascular insufficiency

Congestive heart failure

Depression

Diabetes

Impotence/infertility (male)

Intermittent claudication

Macular degeneration

Migraine headaches

Multiple sclerosis

Raynaud's phenomenon

 

GBE and Circulation:

GBE increases circulation to both the brain and extremities of the

body. In addition to inhibiting platelet stickiness, GBE regulates

the tone and elasticity of blood vessels.

 

In other words, it makes circulation more efficient. This

improvement in circulation efficiency extends to both large vessels

(arteries) and smaller vessels (capillaries) in the circulatory

system.

 

Antioxidant Properties:

GBE may have antioxidant properties in the brain, retina of the eye,

and the cardiovascular system.

 

Its antioxidant activity in the brain and central nervous system may

help prevent age-related declines in brain function.

 

GBE's antioxidant activity in the brain is of particular interest.

The brain and central nervous system are particularly susceptible to

free radical attack.

 

Free radical damage in the brain is widely accepted as being a

contributing factor in many disorders associated with aging,

including Alzheimer's disease.

 

Nerve Protection and PAF Inhibition:

 

One of the primary protective effects of the ginkgolides are their

ability to inhibit a substance known as platelet-activating factor

(PAF). PAF is a mediator released from cells that causes platelets

to aggregate (clump together).

 

High amounts of PAF are associated with damage to nerve cells, poor

blood flow to the central nervous system, inflammatory conditions,

and bronchial constrictions. Much like free radicals, higher PAF

levels are also associated with aging.

 

Ginkgolides and bilobalide protect nerve cells in the central

nervous system from damage during periods of ischemia (lack of

oxygen to tissues in the body). This effect may be supportive for

persons who have suffered a stroke.

 

Anti-Aging Properties

 

Ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain and has excellent

restorative effects on the nervous system.

 

Hundreds of scientific studies, involving tens of thousands of

patients,

attest to the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extract for the many

problems associated with cerebral vascular insufficiency and

impaired mental performance in elderly patients.

 

The active components of Ginkgo biloba have a profound tonic effect

on the mind and body.

 

GBE has been shown to inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine,

serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine, important neurotransmitters

in the brain.

 

The extract acts as an antioxidant and a nerve cell membrane

stabilizer.

 

 

It also enhances oxygen and glucose utilization and increases blood

flow in arteries, veins, and capillaries. Experiments involving

learned helplessness and behavioral despair in laboratory animals

demonstrated that GBE exhibited some antianxiety

and " antidepressant " activities.

 

Ginkgo is of benefit for many of the presumed symptoms of aging such

as:

 

 

Anxiety and depression

 

Memory impairment

 

Poor concentration, decreased alertness

 

Diminished intellectual capacity

 

Vertigo, headache

 

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

 

Macular degeneration ( the most common cause of blindness in adults)

 

Inner ear disturbances (which can cause partial deafness)

 

Poor circulation in the extremities

Impotence due to impaired penile blood flow

 

 

Clinical Trials And Proof of Efficacy:

 

In October, 1997 JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)

published research showing that Ginkgo biloba extract appears to

slow Alzheimer's disease.

 

The randomly assigned, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was

performed for one year by neurologist Dr.

Pierre L. LeBars and a team of scientists at the New York Institute

for Medical Research.

 

The study found that 27 percent of patients who took 120 mg of

ginkgo extract for six months or longer improved their mental

functioning,

including memory, reasoning, and the ability to learn, compared to

only 14 percent of those taking placebo.

 

The study began with 309 patients aged 45 or older with most

suffering from Alzheimer's disease but also some with dementia

caused by strokes. The study showed that ginkgo canstabilize or even

improve mental performance in one-third of those who are mildly

impaired by Alzheimer's.

 

German studies have demonstrated that 240 mg of Egb761 (the

particular

form of Ginkgo biloba extract used in the JAMA study) a day is

perhaps more effective than the 120 mg daily dose used in the JAMA

study for the treatment of Alzheimer's.

 

Other studies on ginkgo have appeared in such diverse journals as

Lancet, Audiology, and the Journal of Urology. Over 120,000

physicians worldwide write over ten million prescriptions for ginkgo

each year, accounting for over five hundred million dollars in

sales.

 

Description:

Ginkgo Biloba is the world's oldest living species of tree;

individual trees live as long as 1,000 years. The leaves of the tree

are used. Ginkgo grows most prominently in the southern and eastern

United States and in China.

 

Dosage:

Many people take 120-160 mg of GBE, standardized to contain 6%

terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides, two to three times per

day.

Amounts up to 240 mg per day are used by some people with

cerebrovascular insufficiency,

confusion and memory loss, and resistant depression.

 

GBE may need to be taken for six to eight weeks before desired

effects are noticed.

Ginkgo may also be taken as a tincture of 0.5 ml three times daily.

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Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:08 pm

Oxidative Injury in Diseases of the Central Nervous System

 

Medical Abstract Title:

www.enzy.com

 

Focus on Alzheimer's Disease

 

Author:

Pratico D, Delanty N

 

Source:

Am J Med. 2000;109(7):577-585.

 

Abstract:

 

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most challenging brain disorders

and has profound medical and social consequences. It affects

approximately 15 million persons worldwide, and many more family

members and care givers are touched by the disease.

 

The initiating molecular event(s) is not known, and its

pathophysiology is highly complex.

 

However, free radical injury appears to be a fundamental process

contributing to the neuronal death seen in the disorder, and this

hypothesis is supported by many (although not all) studies using

surrogate markers of oxidative damage.

 

In vitro and animal studies suggest that various compounds with

antioxidant ability can attenuate the oxidative stress induced by

beta-amyloid.

 

Recently, clinical trials have demonstrated potential benefits from

treatment with the antioxidants, vitamin E, selegiline, extract of

Gingko biloba, and idebenone.

 

Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore

the optimum timing and antioxidant combination of such treatments in

this therapeutically frustrating disease.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes