A single dose of Ginkgo biloba does not affect soleus motoneuron pool excitability.
EGb 761 has been shown to increase acetylcholine synthesis and release and increase cholinergic receptors leading to an increase in cholinergic neurotransmission. These effects may be observed in the neuromuscular system, manifested by changes in motoneuron pool excitability as measured by the Hoffmann reflex to motor response (H/M) ratio. The objective was to determine whether a single dose of EGb 761 affects motoneuron pool excitability of the soleus muscle as measured by the H/M ratio. Following initial soleus H/M measurements, 20 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (control, 180 g cellulose placebo, and 180 g EGb 761). H/M ratios were recorded 1, 2, and 3 hours post treatment. A 3 x 4 repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze differences in H/M ratio between treatments. No differences were observed between treatments (p = 0.75) or over time (p = 0.17), and there was not a treatment by time interaction (p = 0.27). A single dose of 180 g of EGb 761 does not affect soleus motoneuron pool excitability.
Stone
Marcus B
MB
Athletic Training Department, Sports Injury Research Laboratory, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA. athstone@isugw.indstate.edu
Vaughan
Martin A
MA
Ingersoll
Christopher D
CD
Edwards
Jeffrey E
JE
Babington
J Patrick
JP
Palmieri
Riann M
RM
Cordova
Mitchell L
ML
Krause
B Andrew
BA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*
D028321:Plant Preparations