EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF GINKGO BILOBA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CONTROLLED ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND CIRCULATORY ENCEPHALOPATHY

Abstract

Aim. To study effects of Ginkgo biloba based drug (Memoplant, Dr Willar Schwabe, Germany) on haemorheological and clinical status in elderly patients with circulatory encephalopathy and controlled arterial hypertension.Material and methods. 80 patients (>60 y.o.) were involved in the study. Patients were randomized (3:1) on Memoplant (240 mg/daily) treatment group and control group. Duration of observation was 16 weeks. The changes of neurological complaints, neuropsychological and life quality test results were estimated during the study. The rheological indicators (blood, plasma and erythrocyte suspension viscosity; aggregative activity and plasticity of erythrocytes) also were studied.Results. Reduction (by 50-90%) of neurological complaints (headache, giddiness, tinnitus, unsteadiness walking) were founded in patients receiving Memoplant. Cognitive abilities according to mental status scale, frontal tests battery, 5 words test, watch drawing test and quality of a life according to QOLI-NS scale improved in patients treated with Memoplant. Decrease of blood viscosity (by 19,3%, р<0,01) , erythrocytes rigidity index (by 15,6%, р<0,05) and erythrocyte aggregation (degree of aggregation by 45,6%; average aggregate size by 25,9%, р<0,05) > <0,05) was observed. Tissue oxygen supply was increased by 23,3% (р<0,05) in comparison with initial state. Changes of haemorheological indicators were not founded in control group.Conclusion. Memoplant increases brain oxygenation due to improvement of microcirculatory blood flow.

Keywords

• arterial hypertension
• circulatory encephalopathy
• ginkgo biloba