Laboratory research on Ginkgo's cardiovascular effects

• in one test, microscopic particles were injected into the carotid artery of rats, mimicing arterial blockage. Ginkgo Biloba protected the unfortunate animals from the destructive effects.
• increased levels of glucose and ATP were found, thus helping to maintain energy levels within individual cells.
• it reduced the tendency for thrombus formation in veins and arteries, suggesting a use in the prevention of coronary thrombosis and in recovery from strokes and heart attacks.
• following injections there may be a hypertensive response, damaging the blood-brain barrier. Initially only small molecules pass the barrier, but eventually larger substances cross over causing cerebral edema. Ginkgo Biloba used in the initial stages prevents the later stages developing. Stabilizing the membranes of the blood-brain barrier which are thought to involve a direct impact on ionic balance across the membranes and an indirect effect on intracellular respiration, lessening cerebral edema and restoring function.

Clinical research

• Patients with organic and neurological angiopathy were observed for physiological changes resulting from exercise, after using Ginkgo. Results indicate it would be useful in central and peripheral vascular disease, including diabetic angiopathy.
  • it lowered blood pressure and dilated peripheral blood vessels, in patients recovering from thrombosis.
  • microcirculation in the conjunctiva of patients with disturbances in cerebral blood supply consistently increased. Capillary and venous blood flow to the head increased because of decreased resistance to flow occurred. A toning action occurs as it eases venular spasms that often occur in elderly and arteriosclerotic patients. The herb can combat both vascular spasm and restore tone and circulation in areas subject to vasomotor paralysis.
  • it increases peripheral blood flow with no lessening of cerebral circulation. Chemical vaso-dilators accumulate in the expanded vessels rather than circulate to the veins that feed the central nervous system. Ginkgo Biloba, however, increasing blood flow to both the periphery and the brain.
  • in patients with peripheral arterial insufficiency improvement in all experimental measures, including the ability to walk without pain and blood flow to the legs.
  • in Parkinson's disease secondary to cerebral arteriosclerosis, the herb increased blood supply to the brain.
  • 65% successful treatment of focal or diffuse cerebral vascular disease.
  • 80% successful treatment of cerebral circulatory insufficiency, measured as improvement in mental functioning, EEG parameters, and cerebral angiogram.
  • 80% success rate in patients with chronic cerebral insufficiency measured by symptoms such as vertigo, headache.
  • 92% success rate in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency and all pathological findings disappeared after 18 days of treatment.
  • 80% success in treating headache and lesser per cent success in case of migraine.
  • 40% success in elderly patients with arterial insufficiency of lower limbs.
  • 72% success in the treatment of chronic vasculopathies.
  • successful treatment of chronic arterial obliteration.

Therapeutic Uses
Ginkgo has wide application for treating various forms of vascular and neurological disease. It has been recommended for:

• vertigo, headache, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances including partial deafness
• impairment of memory and ability to concentrate
• diminished intellectual capacity and alertness as a result of insufficient circulation
• anxiety, depression, neurological disorders : complications of stroke and skull injuries
• diminished sight and hearing ability due to vascular insufficiency
• intermittent claudication as a result of arterial obstruction
• a sensitivity to cold and pallor in the toes due to peripheral circulatory insufficiency
• Raynaud's disease: cerebral vascular and nutritional insufficiency
• hormonal and neural based disorders as well as angiopathic trophic disorders
• arterial circulatory disturbances due to aging, diabetes and nicotine abuse
• sclerosis of cerebral arteries with and without mental manifestations
• arteriosclerotic angiopathy of lower limbs
• diabetic tissue damage with danger of gangrene : chronic arterial obliteration
• circulatory disorders of the skin, as well as ulcerations caused by ischaemia.

Clinical Trials (67 available) (National Library of Medicine)

The bioavailability of the main active ingredient in Ginkgo Biloba extract, ginkgolid B, was higher in volunteers treated with 40mg twice daily as compared to the single 80mg dose. Drago 2002

Pretreatment with Ginkgo biloba extract, one day prior to rapid ascent, appeared to reduce the severity of acute mountain sickness. Gertsch 2002

The improvement seen in Alzheimer patients treated with Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was found to be dependent on the severity of the dementia. Le Bars 2002

Patients with vestibular lesion symptoms, treated with Ginkgo biloba extract, gained full vestibular compensation sooner than untreated patients. [Article in Polish] Orendorz-Fraczkowska 2002

Patients treated with antidepressants and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE Li 1370) showed improvement on cognitive performance and sleep regulation than those not on Ginkgo biloba extract. Hemmeter 2001

Trial of healthy volunteers found dose-dependent improvement in performance on the "quality of memory" factor, targeted at the secondary memory rather than the working memory component. There was a dose dependent decrease in "speed of attention". Kennedy 2001

Increase in hepatic metabolic clearance rate of insulin and hypoglycemic agents found in 3-month study of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761)of individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Kudolo 2001

Study of 36 ADHD children treated with Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba extract found symptoms improved. Lyon 2001

Trial of Alzheimer patients found significant improvements in speed of information processing working memory and executive processing attributable to EGb. Stough 2001

Trial of schizophrenic patients found Ginkgo biloba treatment may enhance the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs and reduce their extrapyramidal side effects. Zhang 2001

Acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers significantly improved "speed of attention". Effects were dose dependent. Kennedy 2000

Lowered blood pressure and increased fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide found in 3-month study of ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract on pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose loading in normal glucose tolerant individuals. Kudolo 2000

Study of mildly to severely impaired Alzheimer's patients found improvements in group taking Ginkgo biloba extract. Le Bars 2000

Short-term utilization of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 found to enhance neurocognitive functions/processes of cognitively intact older adults. Mix 2000

Systematic review of 8 RCTS suggests Ginkgo biloba extract is moderately superior to placebo in the symptomatic treatment of intermittent claudication. Pittler 2000