What Is Ginkgo? Other Names: Abricot Argenté Japonais, Adiantifolia, Arbre aux Écus

What is Ginkgo?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo, is one of the oldest living tree species and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It is renowned for its potential health benefits, particularly in enhancing cognitive function, improving circulation, and providing antioxidant properties. This article explores the various applications and effects of Ginkgo biloba based on recent scientific research. Other names include: Abricot Argenté Japonais, Adiantifolia, Arbre aux Écus, Arbre aux Quarante Écus, Arbre du Ciel, Arbre Fossile, Bai Guo Ye, Baiguo, Extrait de Feuille de Ginkgo, Extrait de Ginkgo, Fossil Tree, Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Ginkgo Extract, Ginkgo Folium, Ginkgo Leaf Extact, Ginkgo Seed, Graine de Ginkgo, Herba Ginkgo Biloba, Japanese Silver Apricot, Kew Tree, Maidenhair Tree, Noyer du Japon, Pei Go Su Ye, Salisburia Adiantifolia, Yen Xing, Yinhsing.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Ginkgo biloba has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including memory loss, poor blood circulation, and respiratory issues. Modern research has expanded on these traditional uses, investigating the efficacy of ginkgo extracts in various medical conditions.

Cognitive Function and Dementia

One of the most well-known uses of Ginkgo biloba is in the treatment of cognitive decline and dementia. Studies have shown mixed results regarding its efficacy. For instance, a randomized clinical trial found no significant difference in cognitive improvement between ginkgo and placebo in elderly patients with dementia or age-associated memory impairment6. However, other studies suggest that ginkgo may have neuroprotective effects, potentially slowing cognitive deterioration in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease10.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Ginkgo biloba is rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress—a factor implicated in various chronic diseases. Research has demonstrated that ginkgo can alleviate oxidative stress and modulate neurotransmitter levels in animal models. For example, a study on rats showed that ginkgo extract reduced oxidative stress and improved neurotransmitter levels affected by aluminum chloride exposure2. Additionally, ginkgo’s anti-inflammatory properties have been highlighted in studies exploring its protective effects against testicular injury induced by chemotherapeutic agents3.

Cardiovascular Health

Ginkgo biloba is also known for its potential benefits in improving cardiovascular health. It has been shown to enhance blood flow and reduce symptoms of peripheral artery disease. Moreover, ginkgo’s effects on platelet aggregation and clotting status have been investigated, with studies indicating that it does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of anticoagulant drugs like warfarin4.

Immune Modulation and Disease Resistance

Recent studies have explored the role of ginkgo in modulating immune responses and enhancing disease resistance. For instance, dietary supplementation with Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBLE) in common carp significantly improved growth performance, immune-related gene expression, and survival rates following bacterial infection1. This suggests potential applications in aquaculture and animal health.

Anti-cancer Properties

Ginkgo biloba has shown promise in cancer research, particularly in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. Extracts from the exocarp of ginkgo nuts have been found to suppress angiogenesis and induce apoptosis in cancer cells through various signaling pathways8 9. These findings indicate that ginkgo may have potential as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment.

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Adverse Effects of Ginkgo

Neurotoxicity Mitigation

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to mitigate neurotoxicity induced by Cisplatin in rats by restoring cerebral oxidative/antioxidant redox balance and regulating apoptotic pathways1.

Testicular Injury Protection

Ginkgo biloba extract has protective effects against Methotrexate-induced testicular injury in rats, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and regulating miRNA-29a expression2.

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How has Ginkgo Improved Patient Outcomes?

Improvement in Functional Outcomes Post-Stroke

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to significantly improve functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS)1 2 4 8.

Cognitive and Neurological Benefits:

Patients treated with Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) demonstrated improved cognitive and neurological functions, including better scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, and other neuropsychological tests2 3 6.

Neuroprotection and Reduced Cognitive Decline:

Ginkgo biloba has been associated with neuroprotective effects, slowing down cognitive decline in patients with dementia and age-associated memory impairment, although some studies did not find significant differences compared to placebo3 7 9 10.

Safety and Adverse Events:

The administration of Ginkgo biloba was generally safe, with no significant increase in adverse events or vascular events compared to placebo2 4 8.

Enhanced Cerebral Oxygen and Glucose Metabolism:

Ginkgo biloba improved cerebral oxygen supply and decreased cerebral oxygen extraction rate and consumption in elderly patients with pre-existing cerebral ischemia, although it did not affect cerebral glucose metabolism9.

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Ginkgo Mechanisms of Action

Neuroprotection and Anti-apoptotic Effects

Ginkgo biloba extracts protect hippocampal neurons from TNF-α induced apoptosis by downregulating pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax, Cytc) and upregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, suggesting inhibition of both death receptor and mitochondrial pathways1.

Ginkgo biloba ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia-induced neurodegeneration and memory impairment by modulating small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels and activating ERK/CaMKII/CREB signaling pathways, reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis4.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Ginkgo biloba exhibits antioxidant properties by reducing oxidative stress markers (e.g., malondialdehyde) and increasing antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase) in various tissues, including brain and testis2 5.

It also shows anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and modulating immune responses2 8.

Cardioprotection

Ginkgo biloba extracts protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in mitochondria, which helps in reducing infarct size, improving cardiac function, and preventing mitochondrial dysfunction10.

Anti-cancer and Anti-angiogenic Effects

Ginkgo biloba exocarp extracts inhibit angiogenesis in Lewis lung cancer by downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin-VEGF signaling pathway, reducing tumor growth and metastasis7.

Regulation of Hormonal and Reproductive Health

Ginkgo biloba mitigates testicular injury and subfertility induced by ischemia/reperfusion by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory markers, and improving mitochondrial function9.

It also protects against methotrexate-induced testicular injury by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities, and regulation of miRNA-29a expression2.

Cognitive Enhancement

Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive performance, particularly in females, by modulating cardiovascular reactivity during cognitive tasks, suggesting a link between cardiovascular health and cognitive benefits6.

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Common Complaints Associated with Ginkgo Use

Adverse Events and Side Effects

The incidence of adverse events, including gastrointestinal issues, was similar between Ginkgo and placebo groups, indicating no significant increase in side effects with Ginkgo use1 2.

No significant differences in the number of gastrointestinal side effects were observed between the Ginkgo and placebo groups2.

Cardiovascular and Hemorrhagic Events

The incidence of strokes and other hemorrhagic or cardiovascular events did not differ significantly between Ginkgo and placebo groups1.

General Safety

Long-term use of Ginkgo biloba extract did not show a significant difference in mortality rates compared to placebo, suggesting it is generally safe for long-term use1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.