Effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on treadmill walking time among adults with peripheral artery disease: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
Medical therapies for treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) are limited. Ginkgo biloba has been reported to increase maximal and pain-free walking distance among patients with PAD; however, the evidence is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 300 mg/d of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) versus placebo on treadmill walking time and related cardiovascular measures among patients with PAD.


METHODS
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design trial with a 4-month duration was used. Participants were 62 adults, aged 70 +/- 8 years (mean +/- SD), with claudication symptoms of PAD. The primary study outcomes were maximal and pain-free walking time on a treadmill. Secondary outcomes included flow-mediated vasodilation, a measure of antioxidant status as assessed by determining antibody levels to epitopes of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and questionnaires addressing walking impairment and quality of life.


RESULTS
Maximal treadmill walking time increased by 20 +/- 80 and 91 +/- 242 seconds in the placebo and the EGb 761 groups, respectively (P = .12). Pain-free walking time increased by 15 +/- 31 and 21 +/- 43 seconds, respectively (P = .28). No significant differences were detected between groups for any of the secondary outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
In older adults with PAD, Ginkgo biloba produced a modest but insignificant increase in maximal treadmill walking time and flow-mediated vasodilation. These data do not support the use of Ginkgo biloba as an effective therapy for PAD, although a longer duration of use should be considered in any future trials.
Gardner
Christopher D
CD
Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California 94305, USA. cgardner@stanford.edu
Taylor-Piliae
Ruth E
RE
Kiazand
Alexandre
A
Nicholus
Joel
J
Rigby
Alison J
AJ
Farquhar
John W
JW
D000368:Aged; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract