Today we present Ginkgo Biloba, a tree whose leaf has multiple properties. But be careful, because there are certain considerations to take into account before consumption.
Ginkgo Biloba is a unique tree species in the world, a living fossil clearly related to species dating back to the Permian, 270 million years ago. It is a fascinating living being at the evolutionary level, because it does not share order or gender with any other current living representative.
On the other hand, there are sources of Chinese medicine that confirm the use of extracts of this unique treemore than 5,000 years ago. These texts show their different uses for pathologies such as asthma, chilblains, headaches, memory loss in the elderly and many other conditions. On the other hand, its seeds were considered digestive and were used in various disorders related to alcohol intake abuse.
From the leaves of ginkgo an extract is obtained that has flavonoids, substances that, as we will see below, reportmultiple benefitsdemonstrated in experimental areas. Immerse yourself with us in the world of pharmaceutical botany, because today we show you all the faculties and characteristics of Ginkgo Biloba.
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Ginkgo Biloba: a unique tree in the world
As we have said before, today we are facing a unique species that has no close living relative on Earth, as it is the only current representative of theGinkgoaceae family. It is a deciduous tree of medium size up to 35 meters high, with a narrow crown of pyramidal shape. It should be noted that it is a very long-lived species, as there are specimens dating back up to 2,500 years.
It is a fundamentally ornamental tree, since various oriental cultures have historically cultivated it with sacred connotations in temples and places of worship. On the other hand, at present, countries such as France or Australia collect the leaves of this tree at an industrial level fortherapeutic purposes. For this reason, studies indicate that it is perhaps the most widespread medicinal vegetable in the world. Let’s see below the biochemical characteristics that make it so special.
The leaves of ginkgo are light green, with a diameter of between 5 and 15 centimeters. They have a very flattened and fan-shaped morphology, which gives them a particularly unique appearance. Beyond aesthetics, what really draws attention to this leaf structure is its chemical composition.
From the dried leaves of this tree an extract called EGb761 is obtained. This compound has 24-27% flavonoid glycosides, a series of secondary metabolites of plant origin that have been shown to increase central and peripheral blood circulationin experimental models. This metabolite can also protect us from oxidizing substances, such as UV radiation or the intake of some toxic minerals. This antioxidant property could be key to individual well-being, as gingko extract has been observed to neutralize free radicals resulting from mitochondrial activity in cell cultures.
The properties of this leaf do not end here, because the standardized extract of EGb761 contains 5-7% terpene lactones, essential organic compounds in aromatherapy and other processes that seekrelaxation, stimulation or an aphrodisiac potential in humans.
Mechanism of action and properties
Beyond the biochemical composition of this unique extract, it has been studied how each of the named compounds affects the various organ systems in our species.
For example, itsneuroprotective activity has been observed, as it promotes a reduction in glutamate release in certain brain areas. An excess of glutamate (an essential amino acid for brain excitation) can lead to seizures, so the action of ginkgo has protective properties at the nervous level.
On the other hand, as we have already said, it also acts as anantioxidantby capturing free radicals (reactive molecules that are formed in the metabolism of our body and cause aging, among many other things), has anti-inflammatory activity, acts as a vasodilator, is an antiplatelet agent and favors increased tolerance to hypoxia.
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Several animal studies in laboratory conditions have shown that ginkgo extract, orally, may have beneficial effects in preventing acute cerebral infarction or ischemia caused by embolism. EGb761 has also been shown to exhibit antiproliferative activity in various cancer models both in vivo and in vitro (Note: does not mean it is anticancer). Finally, it has been seen that in mice it has a chemopreventive effect against the appearance of induced gastric cancers. However, there are certain reservations to be taken into account.
Not the Universal Cure: Side Effects
Although the properties of Ginkgo Biloba extract have been repeatedly demonstrated on multiple occasions, the final characteristics that we have listedwork in laboratory conditionswith certain animal species, but this certainly does not guarantee 100% safe efficacy in humans.
On the other hand, studies of ginkgo as an adjuvant against nervous diseases such as senile dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s are not entirely conclusive. A study conducted with more than 3,000 patients published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that the dementia rate of elderly patients who consumed this extract was 3.3 per 100 person-years of follow-up. On the other hand, the control group that did not consume this supplement had a rate of 2.9 per 100 person-years of follow-up. Not a sufficient difference.
This highlights a reality necessary to understand: for now miraculous properties cannot be attributed to ginkgo as far as the approach to serious pathologies is concerned. In the absence of efficacy, people should be quite careful about taking a drug in any way, and we haven’t seen any evidence here for potential advantages, and there are certainreasons to be concerned about its long-term use.”
On the other hand, EGb761 is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug but as a dietary supplement. Therefore, it is not considered a drug for 100% effective use, as ibuprofen or any other over-the-counter drug in pharmacies can be. Certain negative effects can be observed in the abuse of ginkgo extract, such as the risk of inhibition of platelet activation and excessive bleeding before the appearance of lesions if taken in conjunction with other antiplatelet drugs.
In relation to the duration of treatment, studies have shown that, although no adverse effects are observed with its administration of a dose of 160 mg / kg for a maximum of 12 weeks, from52 weeks of consumptionsevere adverse effects begin to be observed, mainly due to its possible long-term genotoxic effects.
So, is ginkgo extract good for me?
As they say in the world of medicine, each person is a world. For example, ginkgo is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to certain compounds, in patients with blood clotting problems and in certain groups of epileptic people. We must be clear that it is not adrug accepted by the FDA (but is considered as a dietary supplement), so it has not been subjected to the same laboratory testing processes so demanding for the rest of approved drugs that are available to the public.
This in no case means that EGb761 is bad in itself, since the benefits in terms of vasodilation and its antioxidant effect have been verified on multiple occasions in the experimental field. Again, each case is different, and consultation with a medical professional becomes essential before the patient decides to “self-medicate”, either with a natural or human synthesis drug.
Summary
It is very common for various informative portals to state categorically that a compound is miraculous with respect to a pathology. Of course, no dietary supplement is an absolute curefor a serious disease, otherwise it would be a drug subject to a prescription. Multiple positive properties have been observed regarding Ginkgo Biloba in cell cultures and experimental animal models, so we can foresee that it has positive effects at the individual level, but much less ensure it in all cases and for all patients.
These kinds of final considerations are essential, as several studies estimate that the percentage of people who self-medicate worldwide is 60%. All treatment must be endorsed, or at least allowed, by a health professional before contemplating its initiation.
References
- Accame, M. E. C. GINKGO, A MILLENARY TREE IN THE THERAPEUTICS OF THE XXI CENTURY (I).
- Aguaviva, B. G. (2011). Monograph of ginkgo biloba. Naturopathic Medicine, 5(2), 93-99.
- Guillem Sáiz, P., Francès Bozal, F., Gimenez Fernández, F., & Sáiz Sánchez, C. (2010). Study on self-medication in Spanish university population. Journal of Family Medicine Clinic, 3(2), 99-103.
- Mathey, L. I. P., Aguilar, E. J., Espinoza, J. L., Jimenez, T. M., & Hernández, M. E. A. (2019). Therapeutic uses of Ginkgo biloba: advantages, disadvantages and perspectives Revista Médica de la Universidad Veracruzana, 18(2), 67-83.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.