An Updated Review of Randomized Clinical Trials Testing the Improvement of Cognitive Function of Ginkgo biloba Extract in Healthy People and Alzheimer’s Patients

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, mainly manifested by cognitive dysfunction. It seriously reduces the quality of life, and there is no ideal treatment strategy in clinical practice. Clinical studies on the treatment of AD with Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract (EGb) have been reported since 1980s, and many clinical studies have been carried out during the following 30 years. However, the benefits of EGb on the treatment of AD are still controversial. In this review, we collected the clinical trial reports of EGb on cognitive function from Pubmed, Elsevier, Europe PMC, and other database since the 1980s. Through analysis and comparison, we consider that EGb may be able to improve the cognitive function in patients who suffered from mild dementia during long-term administration (more than 24 weeks) and appropriate dosage (240 mg per day). The main evidences and existing problems of the negative and positive experimental results were summarized.

Natural Compounds from the Marine Brown Alga Caulocystis cephalornithos with Potent In Vitro-Activity against the Parasitic Nematode Haemonchus contortus

“…Ginkgolic acid has been studied relatively extensively for its therapeutic effects on cryptosporidiosis [57,58], human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HIV infection [59], hypertension [60,61] and cancer [56,62]. Furthermore, G. biloba L. has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating lung and skin diseases [63,64], and its extracts have been assessed also as a remedy for cognitive impairment treatment in people [65,66]. Based on the licenced use of G. biloba extracts [65] and the selective toxicity of ginkgolic acid, it is possible that compound 4 and related compounds from algae, such as S. decipiens, might exert toxic effects selectively towards parasitic cells over mammalian host cells.…”

Plant Fortification of the Diet for Anti-Ageing Effects: A Review

“…Even clinical studies have been conducted to assess the effect of Gingko biloba extract in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive function. Extensive analysis has revealed that the consumption of Gingko biloba extract improves the cognitive functioning of individuals who have mild dementia [ 97 ].…”

Strong and Selective Inhibitory Effects of the Biflavonoid Selamariscina A against CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 Enzyme Activities in Human Liver Microsomes

“…Befitting their status as flavonoids, they have anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties [16]. In contrast to the extensive studies on drug interaction with flavonoids, data on the inhibitory effects of biflavonoids on P450 and UGT enzymes are rare, though biflavonoids are taken in the form of dietary supplements (e.g., Ginkgo biloba extract [17]). The inhibitory potential of amentoflavone, the major biflavonoid in Cupressus funebris, against P450 and UGT enzymes was only recently reported [18,19].…”