Study on Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Typical Functional Components of Extracts of Ginkgo Biloba Leaves

Substantial Differences in Proanthocyanidin Contents among Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extracts in Herbal Medicinal Products Obtained from the German Market

Pharmacologic activity of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract has recently been reported. The objective of the present study was to screen proanthocyanidin contents in herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo extracts. A recently published HPLC method for quantification of proanthocyanidins in G. biloba leaf extract EGb 761 was adopted to also be suitable for finished herbal medicinal products. The method was applied to 14 products from the German market. For each product, a set of three individual batches was purchased and analyzed. Substantial differences in proanthocyanidins contents were found among distinct products, ranging from 0.30 to 5.86%. The batch-to-batch variability within each product was low. The highest concentrations are in a similar range as, for example, the amount of Ginkgo terpene trilactones specified in the monograph for G. biloba leaf extract in the European Pharmacopeia. Although it has not yet been established whether and to what extent proanthocyanidins contribute to the overall pharmacological or clinical efficacy of Ginkgo extracts, a potential impact on the purported benefits of different contents in proanthocyanidins cannot be ruled out. Quality assessment of different Ginkgo extracts in the future may include proanthocyanidins.

From traditional medicine to nanomedicine: potential of Ginkgo biloba extracts in treating inflammatory skin diseases

The use of plant extracts as a potential cure for various conditions has moved from traditional medicine to evidence-based medicine. Skin diseases have been addressed since time immemorial using plant extracts through observational and traditional knowledge and passed on through generations. With the advent of modern techniques, the molecular mechanisms of action of plant extracts/isolates are being deciphered with more precision, and more nanomedicine-based therapies are being studied to improve their therapeutic efficacy and stability. The leaves and seeds of Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba), an ancient medicinal tree species, have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years. G. biloba extracts have been widely studied as a neuroprotective and anti-ischaemic drug for ischaemia-reperfusion injuries in the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and other organs. However, the use of G. biloba can be accompanied with side effects and drug interactions. Although, there is now a growing interest for its use in skincare, the mechanisms of action of the extract are not fully understood and vital aspects of G. biloba, such as its neuroprotective and angiogenic properties contributing to the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases and skin ageing, are yet to be investigated. This review critically discusses the mechanisms of action of different constituents of G. biloba extracts linked to their potential interference in the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. In addition to its ability to act on oxidative stress, G. biloba can regulate angiogenesis through its compounds such as ginkgetin or ginkgolide K, which either inhibit aberrant angiogenesis in eczema/psoriasis or increase microcirculation during skin ageing. G. biloba may also contribute to the control of pruritus in atopic dermatitis via a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory mechanism by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathways. This review also highlights nanomedicine strategies to decrease the side effects and enhance the efficacy of the extracts. Similar strategies have been successfully used for anticancer molecules in targeted chemotherapy and iron delivery in anaemia treatment.

Identifying inflammation-related targets of natural lactones using network pharmacology, molecular modeling and in vitro approaches

Natural lactones have been used in traditional and folklore medicine for centuries owing to their anti-inflammatory properties. The study uses a multifaceted approach to identify lead anti-inflammatory lactones from the SISTEMATX natural products database. The study analyzed the natural lactone database, revealing 18 lactones linked to inflammation targets. The primary targets were PTGES, PTGS1, COX-2, ALOX5 and IL1B. STX 12273 was the best hit, with the lowest binding energy and potential for inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme. The study suggested natural lactone, STX 12273, from the SISTEMATX database with anti-inflammatory potential and postulated its use for inflammation treatment or prevention.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.