Work

Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia and a history of cerebral infarction—meta-analysis of pooled data from randomised clinical trials

Year: 2026

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Introduction: leaf extracts belong to the most popular herbal medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) or stroke. EGb 761, a proprietary ginkgo leaf extract, has been shown to improve brain cell energy supply, to enhance neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, to decrease blood viscosity and improve brain perfusion. Thereby it improves cognitive performance, neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. It has further been shown to be beneficial for patients after ischaemic stroke. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the treatment effects of EGb 761 in patients who had developed dementia following a cerebral infarction. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of pooled data from clinical trials with EGb 761 in mild to moderate dementia in the subgroup of patients who had a cerebral infarction. Four randomised, placebo-controlled trials with homogeneous patient selection and design were included. Previous stroke was diagnosed by neuroimaging. The analysis focused on the comparison of treatment effects in the domains of cognition, activities of daily living and global assessment. Results: = 0.0371). The rates of adverse events and adverse drug reactions in the EGb 761 group were like those in the placebo group. Conclusion: The results of our meta-analysis of patients with mild to moderate dementia who had previously had a cerebral infarction verified by neuroimaging showed statistically significant and clinically relevant benefits of EGb 761. The drug was shown to be safe and well tolerated and is a promising treatment option for patients developing dementia after cerebral infarction. Further dedicated clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.

Source: Frontiers in Neurology

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1658064

Authors: Jing-Xuan Feng, Man-Qi Zheng, Xue Tian, Andrea Zimmermann, An-Xin Wang, Xia Meng

Institutions: Capital Medical University, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Dr Willmar Schwabe (Germany)

Language: English

Topic: Ginkgo biloba and Cashew Applications

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801