Validation of a 16th Century Traditional Chinese Medicine Use of Ginkgo biloba as a Topical Antimicrobial

Abstract

In the search for new therapeutic solutions to address an increasing number of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, secondary metabolites from plants have proven to be a rich source of antimicrobial compounds. Ginkgo biloba , a tree native to China, has been spread around the world as an ornamental tree. Its seeds have been used as snacks and medical materials in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), while over the last century its leaf extracts emerged as a source of rising pharmaceutical commerce related to brain health in Western medicine. Besides studies on the neuro-protective effects of Ginkgo, its antibacterial activities have gained more attention from researchers in the past decades, though its leaves were the main focus. We reviewed a 16th-century Chinese text, the Ben Cao Gang Mu by Li Shi-Zhen, to investigate the ancient prescription of Ginkgo seeds for skin infections. We performed antibacterial assays on various Ginkgo seed extracts against pathogens ( Staphylococcus aureus , Cutibacterium acnes , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pyogenes ) relevant to skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). We demonstrate here that Ginkgo seed coats and immature seeds exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-positive skin pathogens ( C. acnes, S. aureus , and S. pyogenes ), and thus validated its use in TCM. We also identified one compound tied to the antibacterial activity observed, ginkgolic acid C15:1, and examine its toxicity to human keratinocytes. These results highlight the relevance of ancient medical texts as leads for the discovery of natural products with antimicrobial activities.

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.…”

Exploring the Anti-Acne Potential of Impepho [Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet] to Combat Cutibacterium acnes Virulence

“…When compared with other extract tested against C. acnes biofilm disruption, H. odoratissimum showed prominent activity. A study by Chassagne et al (2019) reported the biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC 50 ) of Gingko biloba seed nut extract against C. acnes at 256 μg/ml and an MIC of 64 μg/ml.…”

Transcriptional profiling of long noncoding RNAs associated with leaf-color mutation in Ginkgo biloba L

“…Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba L.) is a well-known relict plant that originates from China and has been described as a “living fossil” [19]. As a multifunctional tree species, ginkgo has important economic and medicinal values [20] and has attracted researchers’ attention with many studies have been reported on the origin and evolution, cytology, molecular biology, tree breeding and medicinal value of ginkgo [19, 21–25]. Ginkgo is also a popular ornamental species and widely cultivated worldwide [24].…”