title: Ginkgo biloba as an Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Anxiety in Dementia and other Psychiatric Disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental disorders are the most common health problems in the worldwide population. Current medicines against these conditions have undesired side effects or limited effectiveness. These disadvantageous pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics provoke a low adherence to treatment in an important percentage of patients with mental disorders. Since ancient times, ethnically different groups have been using plants extracts as medicines for the treatment of mental conditions including dementia, depression and anxiety disorders. Among them are extracts of Ginkgo biloba, a tree in the division Gingophyta, that has been used by millions of people worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review aims to discuss current scientific evidence of efficacy, neuroprotective and antioxidant effects as mechanism of action, side effects and potential interaction with other commonly prescribed anxiolytic drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed search of preclinical studies as well as individual clinical trials and meta-analysis were scrutinized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various preclinical and clinical studies have shown a positive effect of Ginkgo biloba to improve cognitive abilities in impaired individuals and reducing anxiety under pathological conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A more advanced clinical research is needed to confirm the efficacy of Gingko biloba for the treatment of anxiety in different health conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Sandeep Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C.. Colombia.
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.affiliation: GALLY International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, 7733 Louis Pasteur Drive, #330, San Antonio, TX, 78229. United States.
authors.forename: Gjumrakch
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aliev
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Sebastian, Lientur 1457, Concepción, 4030000. Chile.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Echeverria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
keywords: Alzheimer; Anxiety; medicinal plants; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; oxidative stress