Sharpen your cognition naturally: exploring the potential of Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is an indigenous tree in East Asia. It has an ancient lineage dating back millions of years and a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. In modern times, scientists have grown interested in Ginkgo biloba due to its astonishing health benefits including its potential to improve cognitive functions. However, the question remains: can Ginkgo biloba truly enhance cognitive function?

We first need to break down its secret contents to know how they contribute to its powerful therapeutic potential.

The most widely used standardised extract is EGb 761 from the ground-up leaves. The standardised extract contains potent components:¹

• Flavonoids are phytochemical compounds present in many plants and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
• Terpenoids are Important phytochemicals with a broad range of antioxidant effects
• Bilobalide has an extensive range of pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-ischemic, and cardiovascular protective activities
• Ginkgolides have natural antagonist activity against platelet aggregation factor, which may help increase peripheral blood flow and treatment for ischemic stroke

Diverse studies assessed the Ginkgo biloba extract potential therapeutic properties and we will explore the main factors behind the potential of Ginkgo biloba to enhance cognitive function.

Antioxidant activity

Our body's daily biological process results in the production of reactive oxygen species/free radicals leading to oxidative stress and causing damage to our organs, and in consequence leading to diseases like Alzheimer's, as they damage brain cells and contribute to cognitive decline. Antioxidants neutralise those reactive oxygen species to avoid the damage they cause. 

The Ginkgo biloba extract may also protect neurons from the consequences of oxidative stress such as apoptosis (i.e. programmed cell death). Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and among other components like bilobalide contribute to the powerful antioxidant property of the extract. A study conducted by Pietri and colleagues in 1997 found that EGb 761 could inhibit the generation of free radicals. Several studies have supported that claim and confirmed its potent antioxidant activity.¹

Improves blood circulation

Ginkgolides, a component of Ginkgo biloba, is known for its ability to improve blood flow. The results of a study of the ability of the Ginkgo biloba extract to improve the blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease suggested that the treatment with the extract led to an increase in blood flow.² Its extract can stimulate vasodilation which leads to increased blood flow and lowered blood pressure. Studies suggest it might enhance cerebral blood flow and could improve oxygen and nutrient delivery, supporting cognitive function. They also suggest it might help in stroke prevention.³

Eases inflammation

Although inflammation is our body's normal defensive response to any invitation or injury, if it is uncontrolled it might lead to several diseases like Alzheimer's. The Ginkgo biloba extract is found to have an anti-inflammatory activity. 

A study investigating the protective potentials of Ginkgo biloba extract against hippocampal neuronal injury found a marked improvement in cognitive functions and suggested that Ginkgo biloba extract is an effective agent against hippocampal neuronal loss owing to its antioxidative as well as anti-inflammatory properties.⁴

Modulation of neurotransmitters

Several studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba works on several neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. The acetylcholine neurotransmitter system undergoes extensive degeneration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and may underlie their cognitive deficits. The activity of this system can be enhanced by treatment with ginkgo extract through enhancement of the function of acetylcholine neurons.^, It increases cholinergic transmission in the brain through modest inhibitory activities on anticholinesterase.⁵ Long-term stress has been found to reduce the number of serotonin receptors known as 5HT1A in the brain. Treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract attenuates this reduction.⁹

Neuroprotective activity

Chronic treatment with a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba was found to have a protective effect in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus of middle-aged rats likely by reducing free radical production leading to improvement in short-term memory.⁶ It also acts as a free radical scavenger and protects neurons from oxidative damage and apoptosis, which have been observed prominently in cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease.⁷ 

Ginkgo biloba has anti-anxiety actions which may also have an indirect effect on aging and the brain. Stress is associated with an elevation in the level of glucocorticoids which may underlie degeneration of the hippocampus. Ginkgo biloba extract may reduce stress due to its ability to enhance the release of the neurotransmitter GABA, an important inhibitory neurotransmitter that has long been a target of the pharmaceutical industry for treating chronic anxiety.⁹

Adverse effects

Although Ginkgo biloba consumption is mostly safe, it may have some potential side effects including gastrointestinal upset, allergic skin reactions, constipation, headache, and heart palpitations. Also, it may be associated with bleeding events including severe intracranial bleeding.^10,11 

Contraindications

It may interact with some medications including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiplatelet, or anticoagulant therapies. There is insufficient evidence for the safety of its use in the perioperative period, during pregnancy, in epileptic patients, or in patients who are prone to seizures.⁸

Summary

Ginkgo biloba is approved to have a potent ability to enhance cognitive functions due to its magical components. These magical ingredients gave it the power to possess free-radical scavenger activity, anti-inflammatory properties, the ability to improve blood flow, modulation of neurotransmitters, and neuroprotective activity. 

Yes, scientists approved its potent effect by conducting studies resulting in confirmation of its ability to enhance cognitive functions and overall mental health but its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. Even though it may interact with some medications. It is not suitable for all, and more research needs to be done to understand its mechanism of action, it is still one of nature's most precious gifts.