GINKGO BILOBA
Gingko extract is number one in Europe and five in the United States on number of users and it’s one of the most researched supplements in the world. 
The extract of its leaf is used to improve blood stream flow, concentration and even very commonly used to improve certain male sexual dysfunctions and even increase libido levels on female users. This may be due to the fact that by improving the blood circulation the brain receives an extra boost of oxygen and nutrients, improving its capacity to memorize and helping us to get a better general condition.
The success of the extract of Gingko Biloba leaf it’s certainly attributable to the rich content of those on two very powerful antioxidants, flavonoids and terpenoids. Antioxidants are very important as they prevent cell ‘oxidation’ caused by the free radicals present in our bodies.
The free radicals eliminated by the antioxidants are the cause of degradation of healthy cells. The use of antioxidants has been extensively studied to fight neurodegenerative diseases and are also widely used as dietary supplements in many commercial formulas.
A study published on the effects of Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract on the progression of human colon cancer cells, it was demonstrated how Ginkgo biloba leaf extract inhibits the progression of human colon cancer cells[1].
GINKGO BILOBA ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS
In spite Ginkgo biloba is one of the most sold traditional herbal medicines in the world, only a very few companies manufacture Ginkgo biloba standardized leaf extracts, EGb761 from Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH is one of them, containing a 22 to 27 % of flavonoid glycosides and 5 to 7 % terpene lactones [2]. Some studies concluded that EGb 761 was even able to inhibit the progression of human colon cancer cells [3].
In another large placebo-controlled study EGb 761 demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of dementia [4]. There are other commercially available products claiming to have up to 24% of Ginkgo flavonoid glycosides and 6% of Terpene lactones, but their we couldn't find any evidence of standardization of such extracts or reference to them in the clinical trials analyzed.
WARNING
A Potential Drug-Herbal Interaction between Ginkgo Biloba and Efavirenz was reported by the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, St Michael's Hospital Toronto. More info here.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this website is not intended to prescribe or give in any way or form medical advice, recommend or diagnose. Please read the disclaimer at the button of this page for more info.
References:
[1] Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGb761 on Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells.
[2]Chen XH, Miao YX, Wang XJ, Yu Z, Geng MY, Han YT, Wang LX.Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Marine Drug and Food Institute, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.[7] Mahady et al., 1999; Van Beek et al., 1998.
[3] Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGb761 on Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells. Chen XH, Miao YX, Wang XJ, Yu Z, Geng MY, Han YT, Wang LX.
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Marine Drug and Food Institute, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
[4] Napryeyenko O, Borzenko I. Ginkgo biloba Special Extract in Dementia with Neuropsychiatric Features. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
[5] A Potential Drug-Herbal Interaction between Ginkgo Biloba and Efavirenz.
Naccarato M, Yoong D, Gough K.
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, St Michael's Hospital Toronto, ON, Canada.
