Gingko biloba: Benefits, uses and side effects

Gingko biloba extracts are widely used to improve cognitive functioning and are useful in the management of disorders which can cause cognitive decline. Cognitive decline occurs as a consequence of ageing and is a major health concern, affecting the quality of life of the elderly. Mild cognitive impairment is the predecessor of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s, the risk of which also increases with advancing age.

By having a role in the prevention of cognitive decline and by improving mental functioning, gingko biloba has been considered to be helpful in the management of these disorders, which will be explored independently in subsequent sections. Other than having a role in the management of these disorders, gingko can also be used as a supplement for enhancing cognitive functioning in young, healthy individuals.

Studies have found that a 30-day supplementation in these individuals yielded a significant improvement in the working memory speed. It functions by having an influence on the neurotransmitter systems which is responsible for these memory-enhancing effects. While gingko is a helpful supplement and is considered to be absolutely safe, it is important that you consult your doctor to determine the dosage according to your needs and condition.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a wide range of symptoms experienced by an individual due to a reduction in memory and cognitive abilities. Those affected with dementia find it increasingly difficult to accomplish daily tasks and activities and often require pharmacological, physical and social support.

Studies have found that the use of gingko biloba as a supplement helps to improve mild cognitive impairment responsible for this condition. It was also concluded that the use of this supplement in a safe dosage can be useful for individuals affected with dementia, including both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It may be helpful even in the prevention of Parkinsons disease. Other than improving these conditions, gingko helped to reduce associated symptoms and improved the quality of life and performance of daily activities in affected individuals.

A daily high dose of 240 mg has been recommended as a safe and effective dosage for the treatment of dementia disorders. The use of gingko also helped to reduce the incidence of adverse events in individuals. Since neurodegeneration is the possible mechanism responsible for the pathogenesis of this condition, gingko is helpful due to its neuroprotective effects. This has been attributed to the presence of several bioactive compounds in the supplement, particularly, flavonoids, gingkolide and bilobalide. Further, it helps to improve cerebral perfusion (blood flow to the brain), which causes an enhancement in cerebral function. Thus, it ceases the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.

While the precise mechanism of action of gingko which is responsible for these effects is being studied, its efficiency and safety in the management of these conditions has been largely determined, supporting its traditional use.

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, which is seen in the elderly population and has a tendency of gradual worsening with the age. Alzheimer’s is primarily a type of dementia, which occurs due to the deposition of beta-amyloid plaques between the neurons.

Gingko biloba is widely used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s as it helps to decrease this plaque formation in the brain. This was possible due to its cholesterol-lowering effect as demonstrated by lab studies. Gingko also helped to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and thus helped to prevent cognitive impairment.

When administered in middle-aged individuals, gingko helped to improve memory function and recall power whereas it was not found to be helpful in the treatment at later stages. A dosage of 180 mg per day for a time period of 6 months yielded these results.

Thus, it can be ascertained that gingko is majorly helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer’s before major cognitive decline has occurred rather than being helpful after the frank development of the disease. This suggests its supplementation to be started earlier during the middle years of life to modify future risk. Your doctor can guide you on the dosage to be used.

Since it functions to improve cerebral perfucion, gingko biloba also assists in the management of cerebrovascular disorders, which are caused due to abruption in blood flow to the brain.

It is particularly helpful in the management of ischaemic stroke, as suggested by preclinical studies. Ischaemic stroke is caused due to a severely reduced blood flow to the brain as a result of narrowing down of the supplying arteries, which could be due to the presence of a thrombus or a blood clot in these arteries. An improvement is possible with the use of gingko due to the mechanism of neuroprotection (protection of the brain) and neuroregeneration (renewal of neurons), in addition to improvement of blood flow.

Animal models receiving this herb exhibited a reduction in the size of infarct, which was responsible for the pathogenesis of the symptoms experienced. This occurred due to an improvement in platelet function and aggregation achieved with the help of gingko.

At a dosage of 300 mg per day, it was helpful in the prevention of ischaemic stroke and even during the period of recovery. Protective effects in severe acute cases of stroke were found with the help of gingko as it helped to recover cellular function following a cellular ischaemic injury. Thus, it is advisable to talk to your doctor about the use of this herb if you are at risk of an ischaemic stroke or have had episodes of the same.

Some studies have suggested the role of gingko biloba in the management of cardiovascular disorders as it helps in the lowering of blood cholesterol levels, which is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disorders. It has even been used for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease as a part of traditional medicine. This has been attributed to its cardioprotective and antihypertrophic effects. However, no specific studies have established the role of gingko in the prevention of cardiovascular disorders and further studies are required in this regard.

(Read more: High cholesterol management)

Cancer refers to the growth of atypical cells in the body, which have the potential to spread to distant and nearby areas. Depending on the stage and type of cancer, its severity varies and gingko may be helpful in the management. This is due to its anti-apoptotic effects and its rich antioxidant status that assists in the scavenging of free radicals, which are considered to be responsible for cellular changes. Further, gingko helps to reduce DNA damage and activity, which is responsible for the progression of cancer and aids in the repair of DNA strands. Studies have suggested the anti-cancer activity of gingko as it hinders the proliferation of atypical cells.

It aided in the suppression of growth in hepatocellular carcinoma and its activity has also been found against lung cancer. It inhibited the progression of cancerous cell cycle in the cases of gastric cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The possible mechanisms for these have been considered to be apoptosis, regulation of cell cycle and of gene expression.