Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba

…enhances mental performance*

Features & Benefits

• Improves blood circulation, especially to the brain and extremities*1

• Protects cell membranes from free-radical damage*2, 3

• Helps normalize nerve transmission at the cellular level*

• Reduces blood stickiness and clumping (platelet aggregation) by reducing natural production of substances that encourage clumping (platelet activity factors = PAF’s)*4

• Contains 24% ginkgo flavones, as glycosides, heterosides, and proanthocyanidins (OPCs) and 6% terpene lactones, as ginkgolides A, B, C, and J and bilobalides

• Ginkgo whole leaf extract, with all naturally occurring compounds, is more effective that any of the components alone5

Facts About Ginkgo

Researchers suggest that the benefits of Ginkgo biloba leaf may be related to this herb’s antioxidant in a wide range of body functions.*6

Ginkgo is particularly useful for elderly individuals suffering from poor brain function, characterized by memory impairment, difficulty concentrating and confusion.* Researchers from the University of Limburg, The Netherlands, conducted a critical review of 40 clinical trials related to Ginkgo and poor brain function.7 The researchers focused on eight trials conducted with the most stringent criteria. Of these, all but one showed positive results for the Ginkgo leaf extract compared to placebo, in terms of poor brain function.

Additional human clinical trials demonstrate favorable benefits for Ginkgo leaf extract in cases of mild to moderate memory impairment.*8 One study of 90 older adults with poor brain function found improvements in information processing, concentration and memory after the administration of 150 mg of Ginkgo Biloba extract daily for 12 weeks.9

Another function of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract reported in several studies in Ginkgo’s ability to inhibit a substance known as platelet activating factor (PAF).*10 PAF is responsible for the clumping of blood platelets, the release of histamine and increased blood “stickiness.” When blood platelets become sticky, they tend to join into clumps, which increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Ingredient Highlights

Ginkgo Biloba is the world’s oldest living tree species - over 200 million years old and has been used as medicine for centuries. Whole leaf Ginkgo extract is more effective that any of the components alone. The most active ingredients are terpene lactones, including ginkgolides A, B, C and J. Terpenes are more easily absorbed and have greater blood vessel protective properties than Ginkgo flavonoids.* The active flavonoids are glycosides, heterosides and proanthocyanidins (OPCs).

References

1. Jung G, Mrowietz C, Kiesewetter H, et al: Effect of Ginkgo Biloba on fluidity of blood and peripheral micro circulation in volunteers. Arzneim-Forsch, 1990;40:589-593

2. Pincemail J, Dupuis M, Nasr C, et al: Superoxide anion scavenging effect and superoxide dismutase activity of Ginkgo Biloba extract. Experimentia, 1989;45:708-712

3. Oyama Y, Fuchs PA, Katayama N, et al: Myricetin and quercetin, the flavonoid constituents of Ginkgo

4. Biloba extract, greatly reduce oxidative metabolism in both resting and Ca2+-loaded brain neurons. Brain Res, 1994;635:125-129

5. Lamant V, Mauco G, Braquet P, et al: Inhibition of the metabolism of platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) by three specific antagonists from Ginkgo Biloba. Biochem Pharm, 1987;36(17):2749-2752

6. Drieu K: Preparation & definition of Ginko Biloba extract in: Rokan (Ginkgo Biloba) recent results in Pharmacology & Clinic Funfgeld EW (ed). Springer-Verlag, New York NY 1988; pp 32-6

7. Rong Y, Geng Z, and Lau BHS: Ginkgo Biloba attenuates oxidative stress in macrophages and endothelial cells. Free Rad Biol Med, 1996;20(1):121-127

8. Kleijnen J and Knipschild P: Ginkgo Biloba for cerebral insufficiency. Br J Clin Pharmac, 1992;34:352-358

9. Rai GS, Shovlin C, and Wesnes KA: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Ginkgo Biloba extract (‘Tanakan’) in elderly out-patients with mild to moderate memory impairment. Cur Med Res Op, 1991;12(6):350-355

10. Vesper J and Hansgen K: Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba in 90 outpatients with cerebral insufficiency caused by old age. Phytomedicine, 1994;1:9-16

11. Chung KF, McCusker M, Page CP, et al: Effect of a ginkgolide mixture (BN 52063) in antagonizing skin and platelet responses to platelet activation factor in man. Lancet, 1987;1(8527):248-251

12. Meyer B: Multicenter randomized double-blind drug vs. placebo study of the treatment of tinnitus with Ginkgo Biloba extract. Presse Medicale, 1986;15(31):1562-1564

13. Holgers KM, Axelsson A, and Pringle I: Ginkgo Biloba extract for the treatment of tinnitus. Audiology, 1994;33(2):85-92

14. Maitra I, Marcocci L, Droy-Lefaix MT, et al: Peroxyl radical scavenging activity of Ginkgo Biloba extract EGb761. Biochem Pharm 1995;49(11):1649-1655

15. Yan LJ, Droy-Lefaix MT, and Packer L: Ginkgo Biloba extract (EGb761) protects human low density lipoproteins against oxidative modification mediated by copper. Biochem Biophys Res Comm, 1995; 212(2):360-366