Ginkgo biloba in the Aging Process: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, insulin resistance, cancer, and other degenerative processes commonly appear with aging. Ginkgo biloba (GB) is associated with several health benefits, including memory and cognitive improvement, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and cancer. Its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions have effects on cognition and other conditions associated with aging-related processes, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. The aim of this study was to perform a narrative review of the effects of GB in some age-related conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, CVD, and cancer. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched, and the PRISMA guidelines were applied. Fourteen clinical trials were selected; the studies showed that GB can improve memory, cognition, memory scores, psychopathology, and the quality of life of patients. Moreover, it can improve cerebral blood flow supply, executive function, attention/concentration, non-verbal memory, and mood, and decrease stress, fasting serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin levels, body mass index, waist circumference, biomarkers of oxidative stress, the stability and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, and inflammation. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the use of GB can provide benefits in the prevention and treatment of aging-related conditions.

Uncovering the pharmacology of Ginkgo biloba folium in the cell-type-specific targets of Parkinson’s disease

“…Commercialized GBE, EGB 761 ® , has a recognized neuroprotective role for cognitive impairment like Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Liu et al, 2019;Verma et al, 2020;Abdelmeguid et al, 2021;Ge et al, 2021;Zhao et al, 2021). In many European states, EGB 761 ® is the only drug therapy in the guideline for treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Frontiers in Pharmacology frontiersin.org (Kandiah et al, 2019;Tomino et al, 2021;Barbalho et al, 2022).…”

“…Commercialized GBE, EGB 761 ® , has a recognized neuroprotective role for cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ( Liu et al, 2019 ; Verma et al, 2020 ; Abdelmeguid et al, 2021 ; Ge et al, 2021 ; Zhao et al, 2021 ). In many European states, EGB 761®is the only drug therapy in the guideline for treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) ( Kandiah et al, 2019 ; Tomino et al, 2021 ; Barbalho et al, 2022 ). Various studies have provided experimental evidence supporting GBE, a mixture of active components, as a competent intervention for alleviating PD ( Kuang et al, 2018 ; Mohammed et al, 2020 ; Yu et al, 2021 ).…”

Biflavonoids: Important Contributions to the Health Benefits of Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.)

“…The use of ginkgo for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is widely recognized [ 15 ]. As described by Uddin et al [ 108 ], biflavonoids are molecules that have the potential to noticeably alter the aggregation of tau and Aβ and efficiently reduce the toxic effect of Aβ-oligomers compared to monoflavonoids.…”

“…In traditional Chinese medicine, leaves and fruits have been used for several centuries with documented use dating back from 1280 to 1368 AD and the use of ginkgo nuts mentioned as early as the Yuan Dynasty [ 13 ]. For more than 500 years, various medicinal properties have been attributed to the nuts, including melioration of asthma, cough, and bladder infections, while leaves have been used mainly to treat skin infections and pulmonary dysfunction (reviewed by [ 14 , 15 ]). Although it is well used in Chinese medicine, the true value of this 200-million-year-old plant species was recognized only 40 years ago.…”

“…The best-known properties of ginkgo are its beneficial effects on cognitive complaints, which became known through the commercial sale of a standardized extract formulation developed in Germany in 1965. However, commercial use under the name EGb761 was only in 1974 in France and is now used worldwide [ 15 ]. In addition to its medicinal properties, the fruits of ginkgo are used for the preparation of jams, especially for weddings and other celebrations.…”