Efficacy of Ginkgolide B in the prophylaxis of migraine with aura

Abstract

In a multicentric, open, preliminary trial, we evaluated the use of ginkgolide B, a herbal constituent extract from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves, in the prophylactic treatment of migraine with aura (MA). Fifty women suffering from migraine with typical aura, or migraine aura without headache, diagnosed according to International Headache Society criteria, entered a six-month study. They underwent a two month run-in period free of prophylactic drugs, followed by a four month treatment period (subdivided into two bimesters, TI and TII) with a combination of 60 mg ginkgo biloba terpenes phytosome, 11 mg coenzyme Q 10, and 8.7 mg vitamin B2 (Migrasoll Ò ), administered twice daily. A detailed diary reporting neurological symptoms, duration, and frequency of MA was compiled by patients throughout the trial. The number of MA significantly decreased during treatment (from 3.7 ± 2.2 in the run-in period, to 2.0 ± 1.9 during TI and to 1.2 ± 1.6 during TII; Anova for repeated measures: P \ 0.0001).There was also a statistically significant decrease in the average MA duration, which was 40.4 ± 19.4 min during run-in, 28.2 ± 19.9 during TI, and 17.6 ± 20.6 during TII. Total disappearance of MA was observed in 11.1% patients during TI and in 42.2% of patients during T2. No serious adverse event was provoked by Migrasoll Ò administration. Ginkgolide B is effective in reducing MA frequency and duration. The effect is clearly evident in the first bimester of treatment and is further enhanced during the second.

Premenstrual syndrome and migraine

“…The efficacy of ginkgolide B was confirmed in preventing migraine with aura [24] and pediatric migraine [25]. From our preliminary experience, the use of ginkgolide B associated with vitamin B2, Coenzime Q10 and Mg, administered from ovulation until the first day of menstruation, is also useful in the prophylaxis of MM, especially if the attacks tend to occur on days -2, -1 and ?1 with respect to the onset of menstruation.…”

Update on the efficacy and safety of Petadolex®, a butterbur extract for migraine prophylaxis

“…However, it is worth mentioning that proprietary extracts of Ginkgo and its component Ginkgolide B, either alone or in combination with vitamins and minerals, are the subject of an increasing number of interventions in adult and young migraineurs. 23,29,72,73 Their results seem promising, but the variable composition of the treatments, the open-label trial designs, and the small cohort sizes make it difficult to draw any preliminary conclusions. Accordingly, Ginkgo is generally disregarded as a preventive agent for migraine in the guidelines published by the American and European headache associations.…”

The efficacy of ginkgolide B in the acute treatment of migraine aura: an open preliminary trial

“…Indeed, PAF and glutamate, released from platelets and leukocytes in the blood and from the glia in the CNS, may play a role in the occurrence and propagation of SD in the cortex. In addition, one study has shown that Ginkgolide B is useful in the prophylaxis of MwA [12]. On the basis of this evidence, in an open trial we evaluated the possible efficacy of Ginkgolide B in the treatment of acute aura in a group of patients suffering from MwA, considering in particular the effect of the treatment on aura duration.…”