Ginkgo biloba for Dementia: A Systematic Review of Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Authors: Ernst E.; Pittler M.H.

Source: Clinical Drug Investigation, Volume 17, Number 4, 1 April 1999 , pp. 301-308(8)

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Abstract:

Objective: To systematically review the clinical evidence of Ginkgo biloba preparations as a symptomatic treatment for dementia.

Methods: Computerised literature searches were performed to identify all double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials assessing clinical end-points of Ginkgo biloba extract as a treatment for dementia. Databases included Medline, Embase, Biosis and the Cochrane Library. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. Data were extracted in a standardised, predefined fashion, independently by both authors.

Results: Nine double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These studies are of varying methodological quality. They collectively suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract is more effective for dementia than placebo. However, a number of caveats pertain. Few, generally mild, adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion: These findings are encouraging and warrant independent, large scale confirmatory and comparative trials.

Keywords: Dementia, treatment; Ginkgo-biloba-leaf-extract, therapeutic-use; Reviews-on-treatment; Antidementias, therapeutic-use

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, England

Publication date: 1999-04-01