These studies were undertaken to characterise resorcinolic lipids (5-n-alk(en)ylresorcinols) composition and to determine their seasonal fluctuations in fruit pulp and leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. Resorcinolic lipid concentrations were consistently higher in fruit pulp than in leaves. In pulp, several mono- and di-unsaturated homologs of alkylresorcinols were the predominant group of analysed lip...

The chemical analysis and quality control of Ginkgo leaves and extracts is reviewed. Important constituents present in the medicinally used leaves are the terpene trilactones, i.e., ginkgolides A, B, C, J and bilobalide, many flavonol glycosides, biflavones, proanthocyanidins, alkylphenols, simple phenolic acids, 6-hydroxykynurenic acid, 4-O-methylpyridoxine and polyprenols. In the commercially...

Phytoconstituents have been used in medicine science since ancient times due to their various pharmacological actions. But most of them (like flavanoids, terpenoids) are low in lipid solubility and have large molecular size due to complex multiple ring structure, causing poor absorption and poor bioavailability via oral route. The phytosome system of drug delivery results in increased bioavaila...

Growing interest in the field of Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) places new obligations on the clinician in practice. To address these new patient needs, it is important to develop cross referral relationships with graduates of accredited CAM schools, and to self educate using reputable resources. To assist in this process, a comprehensive review of Ginkgo biloba, the most well-stu...

Botanical fruits derive from ovaries and their most important function is to favor seed dispersal. Fleshy fruits do so by attracting frugivorous animals that disperse seeds together with their own excrements (endozoochory). Gymnosperms make seeds but have no ovaries to be transformed into fruits. Many species surround their seeds with fleshy structures and use endozoochory to disperse them. Suc...

As the body ages, free radical processes intensify and risk of various age-related diseases increases, including memory impairment, as exchange in nerve cells deteriorate. The internal antioxidant system, capable neutralizing radicals, is not always able to cope with growing load, then supply antioxidants from outside necessary. A source biologically active substances possessing activity are pl...

Effects of the leaf extract Ginkgo biloba, ginkgolides A and B, and the amino acid taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) on platelet aggregation was studied. All potential anitcoagulants were incubated in day one platelet-rich plasma and subjected to various agonist-induced clotting and tests and other measures of platelet viability. G. biloba extract and its respective ginkgolides had no effec...

The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-tumor effect of Ginkgo biloba exocarp extracts (GBEE) on B16 melanoma bearing mice and its related molecular mechanisms. The B16-F10 melanoma solid tumor model was established in C57BL/6J mice. The tumor-bearing mice were treated with GBEE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg), taking cis-Dichlorodiamineplatinum (Ⅱ) (DDP, 3 mg/kg) as pos...

For a number of years, there has been speculation about the potential benefit of Parkinson's disease by treatment with Ginkgo biloba. In this case report, my grandfather, who had a known history of Parkinson's, had dramatic improvement after supplementation with ginkgo and a multivitamin-multimineral supplement. Human studies are needed for confirmation.