Extract of Ginkgo Biloba (EGB 761) and Vascular Function

This study will determine if a highly standardized herbal extract of the leaves of the Ginkgo Biloba tree, widely used in Europe for two decades, will benefit patients who have pain on walking due to narrowing of the arteries of the legs. A few studies done about ten years ago in Germany appeared to benefit such patients. It is important to confirm these findings and to learn how it may work. Animal studies suggest that this extract, known as EGb 761, works through very strong antioxidant mechanisms. A second action suggested is that it stimulates cells lining the inside of the arteries to produce the compound nitric oxide. These cells, known as endothelial cells, are susceptible to damage by blood cholesterol, smoking or high blood pressure and, when damaged, will allow cholesterol to deposit in arteries. Antioxidants can prevent the endothelial cell damage, therefore it is very important to know if EGb 761 works through that mechanism. These cells also produce nitric oxide naturally as a defense against injury, so an EGb 761 effect on nitric oxide would also provide benefit. Consumption of Gingko Biloba products, many of uncertain purity, is increasing rapidly in the United States. Confirmation of its benefits, derived largely from Europe, is important to protect the health of the American people and to find new and inexpensive remedies for common problems, such as narrowed arteries in the legs. If benefit is found for this problem, then it will be highly likely that the atherosclerotic deposits that cause heart attacks and many strokes may also be preventable or treatable with this compound. Any benefit found will also lead to future studies to determine which constituents of the mixture now present in EGb 761 confers the benefit. If these actions, or others, were discovered, then this herbal product could become used with greater confidence.

This double-blind study will randomly assign parcicipants to receive 4 months of either EGb 761 at 320 mg/day or placebo. Improving walking distances by 30% or greater is the major goal. A second goal will test the safety of EGb 761 through careful examination of liver and kidney function and other measures of general health. Also, a thorough search will occur for antioxidant actions and for changes in endothelial cell nitric oxide production. Two study visits will occur at baseline, and two will occur at Month 4.