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Is Gingko Biloba an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment?

Is Gingko Biloba an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment?. William Hopper. History. Oldest known fossil 5,000 yrs. old-China Avg. Life span 1,000 yrs. Withstood atomic bomb during WWII First introduced in US 1784 Largest plantations worldwide-Sumter, SC and Virginia. What is Gingko?.

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Is Gingko Biloba an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment?

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  1. Is Gingko Biloba an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment? William Hopper

  2. History • Oldest known fossil 5,000 yrs. old-China • Avg. Life span 1,000 yrs. • Withstood atomic bomb during WWII • First introduced in US 1784 • Largest plantations worldwide-Sumter, SC and Virginia

  3. What is Gingko? • Maidenhair tree • Leaves • Fan shaped • Green in summer • Gold in fall • Fruit • Plumlike • Smooth • Silvery white seed

  4. Structure and Growth • Grows 20-30 m tall, 9 m wide • Dioecious • Prefers partial sun, moist, deep, sandy soil • Resistant to disease, insects, and fungus

  5. Medicinal Uses • Seeds • Asthma • Leucorrhea • Leaves • Cardiovascular • Inhibits Platelet Activating Factor • Alzheimer’s • EGB 761

  6. Alzheimer’s Basics • Most Common form of Dementia • Associated w/ amyloid beta peptide aggregation • Gradual cognitive decline • Loss of synapses between nerves

  7. Research • 1st Clinical US study in 1997-New York Institute for Medical Research • Results: Participants showed improved cognitive function and social behavior, but not on a doctor’s assessment • Study in 2000, however, showed there to be no difference between patients treated with EGB 761 vs cholinesterase inhibitors

  8. Further Research • Study of effect on rats showed an increase in cognitive function and increased life span on avg. 4 months. • Treatment w/ Gingkolides A and B show resistance to amyloid beta aggregation so could be useful if they can cross blood brain barrier

  9. Chemicals in Gingko • 24% flavone glycosides • Antioxidant activity • Increases circulation • 6% terpene lactones • Increases circulation • Protects nerve cells

  10. Side Effects • Excessive bleeding • Contains alkylphenols • Increased insulin secretion, but no effect on glucose levels possible Type 2 diabetes link

  11. Conclusion • Possibly good for mild to moderate cases • Need more research-better understanding of Alzheimer’s • Too many over the counter claims • “Improves Memory and Concentration” but not enough for FDA approval yet

  12. References • Westall, Kelly Ethnobotanical Leaflets www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/gingko2.htm • “Gingko” emedtv http://alzheimers.emedtv.com/gingko-biloba/gingko.htm • “Gingko Proves to be an Effective AD Treatment” AlzheimerSupport.com www.alzheimersupport.com/articles/alz31.cfm • Botany.com www.botany.com/gingko.html • “Gingko Biloba” www.naturalmedicine.com/healthnotes.php?productid=16& ContentId=2096000 • “Gingko Improves Brain Function, Extends Life Span” AlzheimerSupport.comwww.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?ID=1492 • Bate, Clive, Mourad Tayebi and Alvin Williams. “Gingkolides Protect Against amyloid beta Mediated Synapse Damage in vitro” Molecular Neurodegeneration 7 January 2008

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