<i>Ginkgo biloba</i>: A Leaf of Hope in the Fight against Alzheimer’s Dementia: Clinical Trial Systematic Review
Guilherme Lopes de Oliveira Pagotto,
Livia Maria Oliveira dos Santos,
Najwa Osman,
Caroline Barbalho Lamas,
Lucas Fornari Laurindo,
Karina Torres Pomini,
Leila M. Guissoni,
Enzo Pereira de Lima,
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart,
Virginia M. C. Strozze Catharin,
Rosa Direito,
Masaru Tanaka,
Sandra Maria Barbalho
Affiliations
Guilherme Lopes de Oliveira Pagotto
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Livia Maria Oliveira dos Santos
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Najwa Osman
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Caroline Barbalho Lamas
Department of Gerontology, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Karina Torres Pomini
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Leila M. Guissoni
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Enzo Pereira de Lima
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Virginia M. C. Strozze Catharin
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Rosa Direito
Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical & Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Masaru Tanaka
Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
Sandra Maria Barbalho
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a stealthy and progressive neurological disorder that is a leading cause of dementia in the global elderly population, imposing a significant burden on both the elderly and society. Currently, the condition is treated with medications that alleviate symptoms. Nonetheless, these drugs may not consistently produce the desired results and can cause serious side effects. Hence, there is a vigorous pursuit of alternative options to enhance the quality of life for patients. Ginkgo biloba (GB), an herb with historical use in traditional medicine, contains bioactive compounds such as terpenoids (Ginkgolides A, B, and C), polyphenols, organic acids, and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin). These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, making them valuable for cognitive health. A systematic search across three databases using specific keywords—GB in AD and dementia—yielded 1702 documents, leading to the selection of 15 clinical trials for synthesis. In eleven studies, GB extract/EGb 761® was shown to improve cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and functional abilities in both dementia types. In four studies, however, there were no significant differences between the GB-treated and placebo groups. Significant improvements were observed in scores obtained from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Short Cognitive Performance Test (SKT), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). While the majority of synthesized clinical trials show that Ginkgo biloba has promising potential for the treatment of these conditions, more research is needed to determine optimal dosages, effective delivery methods, and appropriate pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, a thorough assessment of adverse effects, exploration of long-term use implications, and investigation into potential drug interactions are critical aspects that must be carefully evaluated in future studies.
