Potential of Ginkgo biloba Extract to Intervene in Chronic Inflammation-Related Diseases.

Abstract

Chronic inflammation is a pathological mechanism of central importance that underpins a wide range of diseases, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermatological disorders. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a standardized formulation derived from Ginkgo biloba leaves, has attracted growing attention due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. This review comprehensively summarizes the current preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of GBE and its active constituents in inflammation-related diseases. GBE has been shown to attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suppress nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, restore redox homeostasis, and modulate disease-relevant pathways in models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin conditions and rheumatoid arthritis. While these findings highlight the promising multi-targeted anti-inflammatory actions of GBE, limitations remain regarding the identification of specific active compounds, standardization of formulations, and the availability of robust clinical evidence. Further research is warranted to clarify the mechanisms of action and optimize delivery of GBE, and to validate the efficacy and safety of GBE in large-scale clinical trials.