A new study has shown that a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, sourced from one of the oldest living tree species, can aid in stroke recovery. The research found that Ginkgo Biloba, renowned for its antioxidant properties, may improve early cognitive recovery in stroke survivors with blood clot-related strokes.

Ginkgo Biloba, which is extracted from the leaves and seeds of the Ginkgo tree native to East Asia, has long been used in China to treat ischemic strokes due to its potential to protect nerve cells from damage. Despite being widely available as a dietary supplement, Ginkgo Biloba is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medicinal purposes, primarily due to a lack of sufficient evidence. However, studies like this one may prompt a reconsideration of its therapeutic potential.

In this large randomized controlled trial, researchers examined the recovery outcomes of 3,163 stroke survivors, with an average age of 63, who had suffered mild to moderate ischemic strokes. The patients were treated across 100 medical centers in China.

The patients received intravenous injections of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM) - a formulation containing the active compounds from ginkgo biloba - for 14 days, followed by another round of treatment at 90 days.

The results were promising: not only did the participants exhibit overall improvement in stroke symptoms, but further analysis revealed enhanced cognitive recovery among those who received the herbal treatment.

“I did not find the results of the study surprising at all,” Dr Sheryl Chow, a professor at Western University of Health Sciences and University of California, Irvine told the American Heart Association.

“There have been studies looking at patients with dementia that seem to show some very modest benefits, but pertaining to acute ischemic stroke, there have also been other studies in these types of patients that have actually shown improvement in outcomes.”

Within 48 hours of their stroke, roughly half of the participants were randomly assigned to receive daily intravenous injections of 25 mg of GDLM for 14 days, while the other half received daily placebo injections.

Cognitive performance was evaluated at three points: before treatment, after 14 days, and again at 90 days.

After 14 days, stroke survivors who received the Ginkgo Biloba compound showed significant improvement in cognitive scores compared to their initial assessments, outperforming those who received the placebo. By Day 90, the group treated with the Ginkgo compound continued to show even greater cognitive improvement than the placebo group.

“The proportion of patients who reached a clinically significant level of improvement was 20 percent higher in the GDLM group,” reported Associate Professor Anxin Wang, who conducted the study.

In the future, he plans to extend the study beyond 90 days to assess the long-term effects of GDLM injections.

“GDLM has shown a neuro-protective effect through multiple mechanisms, such as expanding brain blood vessels and improving brain cells tolerance to hypoxia—inadequate oxygen—and increasing cerebral blood flow.

“GDLM also has neuroprotective antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis (cell death) properties.

“Additionally, laboratory studies have previously indicated that GDLM may promote secretion of chemicals associated with avoiding neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

The results of the preliminary study are scheduled to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, from February 7-9.

Dr Chow, who was not involved in this study, said the anti-platelet effects of the Ginkgo were notable and 'very relevant'.

“Ginkgo is believed to be a platelet activity factor receptor antagonist, meaning that it prevents the platelets from binding or sticking to each other essentially. So it does have some mechanisms that seem to promote benefits in this particular population.”

Professor Wang concluded: “If our positive results are confirmed in other trials, GDLM injections may someday be used to improve cognitive function for patients after ischemic stroke.”