biloba is a plant; products made from the leaves of this plant
are sold as a dietary
supplement meant to enhance mental performance, especially
memory and concentration.
While there are a few small research
studies suggesting that ginkgo biloba can improve memory performance
in normal people on specific tasks in the laboratory, there
is little hard evidence that this transfers to better performance
in the real world. Large-scale clinical
trials are currently underway to answer some of these
Ginkgo may also have some utility in slowing
the mental decline in Alzheimer's
disease although further tests are needed.
ingredients in ginkgo extracts have not been totally established.
Effects of ginkgo may be caused by a single active ingredient
or by the combined action of many active ingredients found
in the extracts. The active ingredients are made up of flavenoids
and terpenoids, antioxidants
that hunt for free
radicals. Ginkgolide B is a terpenoid, which inhibits
factor, and therefore may impede platelet aggregation and
As a result, ginkgo can cause serious side-effects
such as bleeding, and should not be used by people taking
medication (including aspirin).
Article : "THE
Article : "PUTTING
GINGKO TO THE TEST"
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain