GINKGO BILOBA

INTRODUCTION
• Gingko Biloba, known as Ginkgo, has been around for over 1000
years, making it the world’s oldest living tree species. It is known to
be originated in China. (Saper, 2021)
• Gingko trees consist of small branches with fan-shaped leaves that
are bright green in summer and turn a golden yellow in the fall, with
inedible seeds that can be poisonous. (Saper, 2021)
• It is one of the most studied herbal remedies in the world, with over
400 clinical trials performed looking for various medicinal properties
and clinical uses, largely in neurological functions. (Saper, 2021)
• Ginkgo is commonly available as an oral tablet, extract, capsule, or
tea.
• Standardized Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) derived from dried leaves
of Ginkgo contains 6% terpenoids, 24% flavonoid glycosides, and 5-
10% organic acids. Meanwhile, flavonoids and terpenoids are
considered the pharmacologically active ingredient of GBE. (Saper,
2021)
Clinical Uses Of Ginkgo
• Cerebrovascular insufficiency
• Peripheral artery insufficiency
• Multi-infarct dementia
• Memory impairment in elderly
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Resistant depression
• Asthma
• Venous insufficiency
(Singh et al., 2019)
SIDE EFFECT OF GINKGO
• Some of the side effects of Ginkgo include
• Increase risk of bleeding
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Headache
• Skin reaction including blisters,
erythema, and itchiness with ingestion
of non-leave part

(Singh et al., 2019)

 Contraindication/Drug Interactions
• Patients with bleeding disorders should take caution while taking
Ginkgo
• Precaution should be taken when combined with other herbs
believed to increase bleeding, including garlic, ginseng, and ginger
• Use with caution in patients with seizure disorders
• Due to a lack of data, Ginkgo should be avoided by pregnant and
lactating women
• Ginkgo in high doses may potentiate the effect of Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to its inhibition of serotonin and
dopamine uptake. (Saper, 2021)
 References

Saper, B. R. (2021). Clinical use of ginkgo biloba. UpToDate. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from
https://www-uptodate- com.proxy.library.stonybrook.edu/contents/clinical-use-of-
ginkgo- biloba?search=ginkgo%20biloba&source=search_result&selected
Title=1~51&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
Singh, S. K., Srivastav, S., Castellani, R. J., Plascencia-Villa, G., & Perry, G. (2019).
Neuroprotective and antioxidant effect of ginkgo biloba extract against AD and other
neurological Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for
Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 16(3), 666–674. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-019-
00767-8