The Effect of 3‐Month Ingestion of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Pancreatic β‐Cell Function in Response to Glucose Loading in Normal Glucose Tolerant Individuals

Abstract

Ginkgo biloba extract is ingested on a chronic basis for enhancing mental focus and improving cognitive function in the elderly. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on glucose-stimulated pancreatic beta-cell function in normal glucose-tolerant individuals. Twenty individuals (14 females and 6 males, ages 21-57 years) underwent a 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg/day at bedtime) for 3 months. Ginkgo biloba extract ingestion caused a decrease in systolic blood pressure from 125 +/- 15 to 118 +/- 12 mmHg (p < 0.05) and in diastolic blood pressure from 86 +/- 10 to 68 +/- 10 (p < 0.01). Fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide were increased, and the insulin and C-peptide areas under the curve during the OGTT changed from 136 +/- 55 to 162 +/- 94 microU/ml/h (p = 0.1232) and 9.67 +/- 5.34 to 16.88 +/- 5.20 ng/ml/h (p < 0.001), respectively. The observed dissimilar insulin/C-peptide response curves may be due to Ginkgo biloba-induced increase of the rate of insulin metabolic clearance.

Rapid screening and characterisation of antioxidants of Cosmos caudatus using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

“…Quercetin, the main representative of the flavonol, found in high concentration in onions, apple, red wine, Ginkgo biloba, influences some carcinnogenosis markers [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66]. Quercetin and its derivatives, as the principal polyphenol of Ginkgo biloba, might be partly responsible for its medicinal function of decrease in blood pressure [59]. Ulam raja, rich in proanthocyanidins, chlorogenic acids and quercetin and its derivatives, might also have these biological functions.…”

“…Chlorogenic, as a natural antioxidants, is able to chelate iron [56] and protect against oxidative stress [57] and DNA damage [58]. Quercetin, the main representative of the flavonol, found in high concentration in onions, apple, red wine, Ginkgo biloba, influences some carcinnogenosis markers [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66]. Quercetin and its derivatives, as the principal polyphenol of Ginkgo biloba, might be partly responsible for its medicinal function of decrease in blood pressure [59].…”

Beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on insulin signaling cascade, dyslipidemia, and body adiposity of diet-induced obese rats

“…Studies have suggested that GbE intake by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients reduces circulatory diseases and improves the glycemic profile (11,12). Reduced glycemia was also reported in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (13).…”

“…Reduced glycemia was also reported in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (13). It has been suggested that these beneficial effects could result from a significant stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell function/insulin production (11) and from a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin levels of T2DM patients (14). Despite the evidence for a positive effect of GbE on glycemic homeostasis, data in the literature are scarce about the action of GbE on obesity-related insulin intolerance.…”

Effect of &lt;i&gt;Ginkgo biloba&lt;/i&gt; Extract Ingestion on Plasma Total Cortisol Levels during an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Normal Glucose Tolerant Individuals

“…For over a decade, we have studied the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on several parameters including pancreatic β-cell function and whole body insulin sensitivity in normal glucose tolerant individuals, those with impaired glucose tolerance and people suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [11]- [13]. During these studies the volunteers completed monthly questionnaires and were encouraged to provide other general comments about how they felt after ingesting the Ginkgo biloba extract.…”