Ginkgo biloba Extracts Like EGb 761^® for Treatment of Non Common Indications – A Selection of Clinical Studies

Abstract

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. are one of the most commonly applied herbal medicines. The active constituents are flavonol glycosides and terpene trilactones in particular. The special extract EGb 761^® is mentioned in the German S3 clinical guideline “Demenzen” as treatment option (“kann” recommendation). Some small- and large-scale clinical studies for Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts are summarized in this publication for the indications: Tardive dyskinesia, vitiligo, anxiety/anxiety disorder, visual impairment, mountain sickness, sudden hearing loss, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and fatigue. The studies are of different quality and show variable results. More research is warranted to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extracts for those indications.

Zusammenfassung

Extrakte aus Ginkgo biloba L. sind eines der am häufigsten verwendeten pflanzlichen Arzneimittel. Die aktiven Bestandteile stellen vor allem die Flavonolglykoside und die Terpentrilactone dar. Der Spezialextrakt EGb 761^® ist in der deutschen S3-Leitlinie „Demenzen“ mit einer „kann-Empfehlung“ als Behandlungsoption genannt. Extrakte aus Ginkgo-biloba-Blättern werden darüber hinaus auch klinisch für weitere Indikationen genutzt. Einige klein und groß angelegte klinische Studien zu Ginkgo-biloba-Spezialextrakten sind in dieser Publikation für folgende Krankheitsbilder zusammengefasst: Spätdyskinesie, Vitiligo, Angst/Angststörung, Sehstörungen, Höhenkrankheit, Hörsturz, Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) bei Kindern und Fatigue. Die Studien variieren hinsichtlich ihrer Qualität und zeigen unterschiedliche Ergebnisse. Weitere Untersuchungen sind erforderlich, um Schlussfolgerungen über die Wirksamkeit von Ginkgo-biloba-Extrakten bei diesen Indikationen zu ziehen.

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