Download PDF

A New Ginkgo Fresh Plant Extract Increases Microcirculation and Radical Scavenging Activity in Elderly Patients

Advances in Therapy volume 28, pages1078–1088(2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

The authors investigated whether a new ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) fresh plant extract had a positive effect on microcirculation in the skin and liver of elderly individuals, and whether the extract had antioxidative properties in vivo.

Methods

In a monocentric, controlled clinical trial with 32 elderly patients, 16 patients received three 90 mg ginkgo extract tablets twice daily for 30 days, and 16 patients acted as untreated controls. On days 0, 10, 20, and 30, microcirculatory parameters were measured using intravital microscopy in combination with reflection spectrometry, and the amount of reduced glutathione in the liver.

Results

This new ginkgo fresh plant extract significantly increased the number of blood cell-perfused nodal points, the venular streaming flow, and the local hematocrit in treated participants compared to control participants and compared to values on day 0. The ginkgo preparation also increased microcirculation in the liver, and possessed antioxidative properties that resulted in significant increases in the amount of the radical scavenger glutathione in treated participants.

Conclusion

The new ginkgo fresh plant extract increased the microcirculation significantly, and at the same time improved the radical scavenging capacity in elderly patients and was very well tolerated. This extract is an interesting adjuvant treatment option for patients suffering from impaired microcirculation and improves mechanisms which inhibit an accelerated expression of atherosclerosis.

References

  1. 1.

    Blumenthal M. Herb sales down in mainstream market, up in natural food stores. HerbalGram. 2002;55:60. Available at:http://cms. herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue55/article2152. Last accessed November 9, 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  2. 2.

    European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs: Ginkgo Folium. Thieme Publishing House, Stuttgart and New York. 2003:136–138.

    Google Scholar 

  3. 3.

    Kubota Y, Tanaka N, Umegaki K, et al. Ginkgo biloba extract-induced relaxation of rat aorta is associated with increase in endothelial intracellular calcium level. Life Sci. 2001;69:2327–2336.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. 4.

    Wu Y, Li S, Cui W, Zu X, Du J, Wang F. Ginkgo biloba extract improves coronary blood flow in healthy elderly adults: role of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Phytomedicine. 2008;15:164–169.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. 5.

    Yoshikawa T, Naito Y, Kondo M. Ginkgo biloba leaf extract: review of biological actions and clinical applications. Antiox Redox Signal. 1999;1:469–480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. 6.

    Sierpina VS, Wollschlaeger B, Blumenthal M. Ginkgo biloba. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68:923–926.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. 7.

    Sun BL, Zhang J, Wang XC, et al. Effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba on spasms of the basilar artery and cerebral microcirculatory perfusion in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2003;29:231–238.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. 8.

    Topp S, Knoefel WT, Schutte A, Brilloff S, Rogiers X, Gundlach M. Ginkgo biloba (EGB 761) improves microcirculation after warm ischemia of the rat liver. Transplant Proc. 2001;33:979–981.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. 9.

    Zhang C, Zu J, Shi H, Liu J, Qin C. The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic microcirculation in CCl4 rats. Am J Chin Med. 2004;32:21–31.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  10. 10.

    Költringer P, Langsteger W, Klima G, Reisecker F, Eber O. Hemorheologic effects of ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Dose-dependent effect of EGb 761 on microcirculation and viscoelasticity of blood. Fortschr Med. 1993;10:170–172. In German.

    Google Scholar 

  11. 11.

    Massoni G, Piovella C, Fratti L. Effects on microcirculation of Ginkgo-biloba in elderly people. G Gerontol. 1972;20:444–450. In Italian.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. 12.

    Jung F, Mrowietz C, Kiesewetter H, Wenzel E. Effect of Ginkgo biloba on fluidity of blood and peripheral microcirculation in volunteers. Arzneimittelforschung. 1990;40:589–593.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. 13.

    Mehlsen J, Drabaek H, Wiinberg N, Winther K. Effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract on forearm haemodynamics in healthy volunteers. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2002;22:375–378.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. 14.

    Wolf S, Suter A, Degenring FH, Jung F, Weber M. Effects of four different Ginkgo biloba extractdoses on retinal blood flow of healthy volunteers. 6th International ESCOP Symposium. Bonn, May 10–11, 2001. Poster.

  15. 15.

    Klopp R. Mikrozirkulation. Im Fokus der Forschung. Einführung in biomechanische, physiologische und pathophysiologische Grundlagen sowie ausgewählte Behandlungsoptionen. Mediquant Verlag AG. Triesen:1. edition, 2008: 580. In German.

  16. 16.

    Klopp R, Schulz J, Niemer W. Effects of the β-receptor blocker nebivolol on the functional state of microcirculation of elderly patients with primary arterialhypertension. Eur J Ger. 2007;9:31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  17. 17.

    Ferguson, GA. Statistical analysis in psychology & education. 3rd ed. New York. 1971;153:219–220.

    Google Scholar 

  18. 18.

    Zhang J, Fu S, Liu S, Mao T, Xiu R. The therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba extract in SHR rats and its possible mechanisms based on cerebral microvascular flow and vasomotion. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2000;23:133–138.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. 19.

    Siegel G, Schäfer P, Winkler K, Malmsten M. Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in arteriosclerosis prophylaxis. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2007;157:288–294.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  20. 20.

    Chung KF, Dent G, McCusker M, et al. Effect of a ginkgolide mixture (BN 52063) in antagonizing skin and platelet response to platelet activating factor in man. Lancet. 1987;8527:248–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. 21.

    Upton R, editor. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium: ginkgo leaf ginkgo leaf dry extract (ginkgo biloba L.) — standards of analysis, quality control, and therapeutics. Santa Cruz (CA). American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 2003:1–77.

    Google Scholar 

  22. 22.

    Bundesamt für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte BfArM. Ginkgo. In: Homöopathisches Arzneibuch HAB. Deutscher Apotheker Verlag; Stuttgart. 2005:1784p.

    Google Scholar 

  23. 23.

    Woelkart K, Feizlmayr E, Dittrich P, et al. Pharmacokinetics of bilobalide, ginkgolide A and B after administration of three different Ginkgo biloba L. preparations in humans. Phytother Res. 2010;24:445–450.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. 24.

    Bäurle P, Suter A, Wormstall H. Safety and effectiveness of a traditional ginkgo fresh plant extract — results from a clinical trial. Forsch Komplementmed. 2009:16;156–161.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  25. 25.

    Perricone C, De Carolis C, Perricone R. Glutathione: a key player in autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev. 2009;8:697–701.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. 26.

    Rodríguez M, Ringstad L, Schäfer P, et al. Reduction of atherosclerotic nanoplaque formation and size by Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in cardiovascular high-risk patients. Atherosclerosis. 2007;192:438–444.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  27. 27.

    Jünger M, Steins A, Hahn M, Häfner HM. Microcirculatory dysfunction in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Microcirculation. 2000;7:3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. 28.

    Chierego M, Verdant C, De Backer D. Microcirculatory alterations in critically ill patients. Minerva Anestesiol. 2006;72:199–205.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. 29.

    Serné EH, de Jongh RT, Eringa EC, Ijzerman RG, Stehouwer CD. Microvascular dysfunction: a potential pathophysiological role in the metabolic syndrome. Hypertension. 2007;50;204–211.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  30. 30.

    Csiki Z, Garai I, Varga J, et al. Microcirculation of the fingers in Raynaud’s syndrome: (99m) Tc-DTPA imaging. Nuklearmedizin. 2005;44:29–32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. 31.

    Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Nicolaides AN, Vale J, Glass J, Lennox A. Microcirculatory studies in erectile disorders. Curr Med Res Opin. 2000;16:72–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. 32.

    Lehr HA. Microcirculatory dysfunction induced by cigarette smoking. Microcirculation. 2000;7:367–384.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. 33.

    Ding J, Patton N, Deary IJ, et al. Retinal microvascular abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction: a systematic review. Br J Ophthalmol. 2008;92:1017–1025.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. 34.

    James MA, Tullett J, Hemsley AG, Shore AC. Effects of aging and hypertension on the microcirculation. Hypertension. 2006;47:968–974.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Grünaustrasse, 9325, Roggwil, Switzerland

    Andy Suter

  2. Institute for Microcirculation, Wolfener Strasse 32-34, 12681, Berlin, Germany

    Wolfgang Niemer & Rainer Klopp

Authors
  1. Andy Suter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wolfgang Niemer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rainer Klopp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andy Suter.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.

About this article

Cite this article

Suter, A., Niemer, W. & Klopp, R. A New Ginkgo Fresh Plant Extract Increases Microcirculation and Radical Scavenging Activity in Elderly Patients. Adv Therapy 28, 1078–1088 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-011-0083-4

Download citation

Keywords

  • clinical trial
  • ginkgo bilob
  • ginkgoaceae
  • glutathione
  • liver
  • microcirculation