title: Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba Effects on Cognition as Modulated by Cardiovascular Reactivity: A Randomised Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is some evidence to suggest that ginseng and Ginkgo biloba can improve cognitive performance, however, very little is known about the mechanisms associated with such improvement. Here, we tested whether cardiovascular reactivity to a task is associated with cognitive improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover design, participants (N = 24) received two doses of Panax Ginseng (500, 1000 mg) or Ginkgo Biloba (120, 240 mg) (N = 24), and underwent a series of cognitive tests while systolic, diastolic, and heart rate readings were taken. Ginkgo Biloba improved aspects of executive functioning (Stroop and Berg tasks) in females but not in males. Ginseng had no effect on cognition. Ginkgo biloba in females reversed the initial (i.e. placebo) increase in cardiovascular reactivity (systolic and diastolic readings increased compared to baseline) to cognitive tasks. This effect (reversal) was most notable after those tasks (Stroop and Iowa) that elicited the greatest cardiovascular reactivity during placebo. In males, although ginkgo also decreased cardiovascular readings, it did so from an initial (placebo) blunted response (i.e. decrease or no change from baseline) to cognitive tasks. Ginseng, on the contrary, increased cardiovascular readings compared to placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that cardiovascular reactivity may be a mechanism by which ginkgo but not ginseng, in females is associated with certain forms of cognitive improvement.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02386852.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marketing, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ong Lai Teik
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Xiao Shiang
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chu Jian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chia Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mariyam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muslima
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aquili
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts