Ginkgo Biloba Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ginkgo Biloba, including details on ginkgo biloba, herbal remedies, side effects, benefits.

Validation of an LC-MS/MS assay of terpene trilactones in Ginkgo biloba extracts and pharmaceutical formulations through standard addition method.

Sora DI, Stefanescu V, David V, Medvedovici A

Labormed Pharma S.A., Splaiul Independentei 319E, Bucharest 060044, Romania.

A chromatographic column packed with 1.8mum particle size octadecyl modified silicagel was used to separate terpene trilactones from Ginkgo biloba extracts/pharmaceutical formulations. Gradient elution was applied, using acidic methanol and water as mobile phase components (0.1% formic acid addition). No specific sample preparation is needed, except dissolution/extraction in methanol of the solid material. Baseline separation of bilobalide and ginkgolides A, B, C and J is obtained within 4min. The gradient profile is needed to elute the remaining matrix from column. A separation cycle takes 7min, including column re-equilibration. MS/MS detection with positive electrospray ionization and triple quadrupole mass analysis was used. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was applied for data acquisition, taking protonated molecular ions as precursors. In order to generate reproducible ionization conditions, the standard addition method was considered. The assay of terpene trilactones obtained under such conditions was validated according to guidances in place. Method intermediate reproducibility corresponds to a relative standard deviation of less than 10%. Accuracy, expressed in terms of absolute percent bias ranged from 90% to 110%. Spectral confirmation of target analytes was also included in the validation procedure.

Published 26 June 2009 in J Pharm Biomed Anal.
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Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 24 June 2009:

Ginkgo biloba: specificity of neuropsychological improvement-a selective review in search of differential effects.   Hum Psychopharmacol.

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba are widely used for the treatment of cognitive impairment. Whereas reviews have focused on the question whether ginkgo is effective to enhance cognition in general, little is known about specificity of improvement. This might be crucial for future trials, thus enabling hypotheses about sensitive outcome measures. Therefore, this article summarizes such information, i.e. neuropsychological effects of chronic administration of ginkgo in healthy and cognitively impaired ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 23 June 2009:

Comparative anticancer and antioxidant activities of different ingredients of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).   Planta Med, 75(8): 792-6.

Flavonoid glycosides are the major constituents of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) and are well known to be an antioxidant for inhibiting tumor growth. Because it contains several flavonoid glycosides and other bioactive substances, the activities of EGb 761 against cancer in vivo and in vitro remain poorly understood. This situation prompted interest in the compounds for experimental study. We have investigated the anticancer effects of three analogues of EGb 761 samples on sarcoma 108 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 22 June 2009:

Metabolite profiling of plant extracts by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography at elevated temperature coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry.   J Chromatogr A.

Detailed metabolite profiling of crude plant extracts, mandatory for both quality control and metabolomics purposes, requires high-resolution separation and sensitive detection with a reasonable sample throughput. In this respect, the use of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) working at high temperature (HT) and coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was evaluated in the present study in terms of achievable peak capacities for given analysis times. Prior to the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 12 June 2009:

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) and its constituents quercetin and ginkgolide B against beta-amyloid peptide-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.   Chem Biol Interact.

Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 has been shown to protect against beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta)-induced neurotoxicity but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, effects of EGb761 and two of its constituents, quercetin and ginkgolide B, on the cytotoxic action of Abeta (1-42) were tested with human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that EGb761 was able to block Abeta (1-42)-induced cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 5 June 2009:

Liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry of bilobalide in plasma and brain of rats after oral administration of its phospholipidic complex.   J Pharm Biomed Anal, 50(2): 224-7.

Standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves are widely used in clinical practice for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate dementia syndromes, cerebral insufficiency and for the enhancement of cognitive function. The main active components present in G. biloba extracts are flavonol-glycosides and terpene-lactones. In recent investigations, the sesquiterpene trilactone bilobalide has been described to exert an interesting neuroprotective effect when administered systemically to ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ginkgo Biloba published 2 June 2009:

EGb761 Protects Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Death of Spinal Cord Neurons through Inhibition of Intracellular ROS Production and Modulation of Apoptotic Regulating Genes.   J Mol Neurosci, 38(2): 103-13.

The present study was conducted to investigate whether Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) 761 could protect spinal cord neurons from H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity. In primary spinal cord neurons isolated from embryonic day 14 rats, H(2)O(2) administration resulted in a significant decrease in the survival of spinal cord neurons. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining showed that these cells die by apoptosis. Such neuronal death, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Improvement of Contractile Function in Isolated Cardiomyocytes From Ischemia-Reperfusion Rats by Ginkgolide B Pretreatment.   J Cardiovasc Pharmacol.

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Inhibition of Human CYP2B6-Catalyzed Bupropion Hydroxylation by Ginkgo biloba Extract: Effect of Terpene Trilactones and Flavonols.   Drug Metab Dispos.

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) is expressed predominantly in human liver. It catalyzes the oxidative biotransformation of various drugs, including bupropion, which is an antidepressant and a tobacco use cessation agent. Serious adverse effects of high dosages of bupropion have been reported, including the onset of seizure. As Ginkgo biloba extract may be consumed with bupropion or another CYP2B6 drug substrate, potential exists for a herb-drug interaction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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