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Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract Among Adults with Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by impaired blood flow through the arteries causing pain or discomfort with walking. The available medications are few and not without side effects thus limiting their use. Gingko biloba, widely used in Europe to treat PAD, has been reported to increase the maximum length of pain-free walking in patients with PAD, but the evidence is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an extract of Ginkgo biloba would lengthen the amount of time adults with peripheral artery disease were capable of walking on a treadmill.

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Eligible Participants

  • Adults, 18 years of age or older
  • Suffering with PAD, confirmed by Doppler ankle brachial index (ABI).
  • Presenting with claudication symptoms of PAD

Study Design

Sixty-two adults (mean age 70 ± 8 years) were randomized to take either 300 mg per of Ginkgo biloba or a placebo for 4 months. Study tablets of the Ginkgo product contained 60 mg of EGb 761 standardized to 24% Ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. All subjects were instructed to avoid all non-study sources of ginkgo biloba and to consume 5 study tablets daily: 3 with breakfast and 2 with dinner. Participants completed a clinic visit at the beginning and end of the study to undergo a treadmill test to assess pain, discomfort, fatigue, cramping or tightness in legs associated with walking. They also completed an ultrasound to evaluate changes in flow-mediated vasodilation (FMVD) of the brachial artery.

Conclusions

Participants taking a Ginkgo biloba extract experienced a modest but insignificant increase in maximal treadmill walking time and flow-mediated vasodilation after 4 months of treatment. The increase in pain-free walking time as negligible. These findings do not support the use of Ginkgo biloba as an effective therapy for PAD, although a longer duration of use should be considered in any future trials.

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