title: Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts on pharmacokinetics and efficacy of atorvastatin based on plasma indices.
abstract: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the world. It is often administered in combination with statins to treat diseases, especially some nervous system disorders. We aimed to investigate the influences of GBE on pharmacokinetics and efficacy of atorvastatin, which are currently unclear. Sixteen volunteers received a single oral dose of 40 mg atorvastatin, followed by a wash-out period of at least 5 days. Then the volunteers took 360 mg GBE daily for 14 days, followed by a single dose of 40 mg atorvastatin. Serial blood samples obtained over a period of 48 h after atorvastatin ingestion were subjected to determination of atorvastatin plasma concentrations and markers of cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol) and cholesterol absorption (sitosterol). With GBE administration, AUC₀₋₄₈, AUC(₀-∞) and C(max) of atorvastatin were reduced by 14.27% (p = 0.005), 10.00% (p = 0.03) and 28.93% (p = 0.002), respectively; Vd/F and CL/F of atorvastatin were increased by 31.95% (p = 0.017) and 6.48% (p = 0.044). After 14 days of treatment, GBE has no significant effects on cholesterol-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin. This study suggests that GBE slightly decreases the plasma atorvastatin concentrations, but has no meaningful effect on the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Xian
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Ji-Ye
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Xiang-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Bo-Ting
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ying-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lan-Xiang
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiang-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Guo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dong-Sheng
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Zhao-Qian
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011758:Pyrroles; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin