[Therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on hypercholestrolemia in children with nephrotic syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the therapeutic effects of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaf on hypercholestrolemia in children with primary nephritic syndrome (NS).


METHODS
Thirty-five children with NS were randomized into 2 groups for treatment with prednisone plus Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (18 cases) or with prednisone plus dipyridamole (17 cases) for 8 weeks. After completion of the treatments, the therapeutic effects were evaluated and the changes in the blood biochemical markers assayed.


RESULTS
The 8-week treatment with the extract significantly ameliorated the clinical symptoms and blood biochemistry as compared with prednisone plus dipyridamole group (P<0.01). The levels of urinic protein and blood lipid in Ginkgo leaf group were significantly lower than those in prednisome plus dipyridamole group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The extract from Ginkgo biloba leaf can lower blood lipid levels and urinic protein in children with NS and improve their clinical syptoms and the renal function, therefore has much clinical value as an adjuvant treatment of steroid therapy in such children.
Zhong
Zhi-min
ZM
School of Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. gznwd@tom.com
Yu
Li
L
Weng
Zhi-yuan
ZY
Hao
Zhi-hong
ZH
Zhang
Lei
L
Zhang
You-xiang
YX
Dong
Wen-qi
WQ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008055:Lipids; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004176:Dipyridamole; D011241:Prednisone