Latest Study Review Finds That Ginkgo Biloba is Not Effective in Treating Glaucoma
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 22, 2025 9 hours, 1 minute ago
Medical News: Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that leads to damage of the optic nerve, often resulting in vision loss and blindness if left untreated. The primary risk factor associated with glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure (IOP), but other factors, such as oxidative stress and poor blood circulation in the eye, have also been identified as contributors. Current treatment strategies focus on reducing IOP, but many patients continue to experience worsening symptoms despite treatment. This has led researchers to explore alternative therapies, such as the use of natural compounds like Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), which is widely known for its potential neuroprotective and circulation-improving properties.
Latest Study Review Finds That Ginkgo Biloba is Not Effective in Treating Glaucoma
Investigating the Effects of Ginkgo Biloba on Glaucoma
A systematic review conducted by researchers from the University Hospital RWTH Aachen in Germany, the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany, and the Academic Hospital of Bolzano in Italy aimed to assess whether Ginkgo biloba extract provides any measurable benefits for glaucoma patients. The review examined data from eight studies involving a total of 428 participants, including both glaucoma patients and healthy volunteers. The primary focus was on key glaucoma-related parameters, including intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD), and heart rate.
This
Medical News report reveals that the findings of these studies did not support any significant improvement in these parameters after Ginkgo biloba supplementation. While previous smaller studies suggested that Ginkgo biloba might enhance ocular blood flow and provide neuroprotection, the current systematic review found no strong evidence to confirm these benefits in glaucoma patients.
Key Findings from the Study
The systematic review included studies with varying doses of Ginkgo biloba, typically ranging from 40 mg to 120 mg per day, administered over different time frames. The primary outcomes measured in these studies included:
-Intraocular Pressure (IOP): There was no significant reduction in IOP in glaucoma patients or healthy volunteers who received Ginkgo biloba compared to the control groups.
-Visual Field Mean Deviation: No notable improvement was observed in the progression of visual field damage, suggesting that Ginkgo biloba does not provide a protective effect against vision loss.
-Corrected Pattern Standard Deviation (CPSD): The changes in CPSD were minimal and did not show any clear benefit from Ginkgo biloba supplementation.
-Heart Rate: No significant changes in heart rate were detected, further indicating that the supplement does not impact cardiovascular functions in a way that would benefit glaucoma patients.
Previous Studies
and Theoretical Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has been widely studied for its potential benefits in neurological and vascular conditions, including dementia and age-related macular degeneration. The extract contains flavonoids and terpenoids, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been suggested that these compounds might help improve blood circulation, including in the eyes, thereby preventing damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma patients. However, despite these theoretical benefits, the current systematic review did not find any conclusive evidence supporting its use for glaucoma treatment.
Some previous research indicated that Ginkgo biloba might enhance microcirculation and reduce oxidative stress, potentially slowing the progression of glaucoma. However, these findings were based on small-scale studies with shorter observation periods. The lack of consistency in study methodologies and dosages makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about its effectiveness in managing glaucoma.
Limitations of the Current Research
The researchers acknowledged several limitations in their review, including the relatively short follow-up periods in most studies, which may not have been sufficient to detect long-term changes in visual function. Additionally, variations in the dosages and formulations of Ginkgo biloba used in different studies make it challenging to establish a standardized approach for evaluating its effects.
Another critical limitation was the inclusion of both glaucoma patients and healthy volunteers in the analysis. Since the effects of Ginkgo biloba may differ between individuals with and without glaucoma, future studies should focus on larger, well-structured trials that specifically target patients with different types of glaucoma, such as normal-tension glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this systematic review, Ginkgo biloba does not appear to provide significant benefits in reducing intraocular pressure, preventing visual field deterioration, or improving heart rate in glaucoma patients. While the supplement has shown promise in other neurological and vascular conditions, its role in glaucoma treatment remains uncertain. Further large-scale, long-term studies are needed to determine whether Ginkgo biloba can play a meaningful role in glaucoma management.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: PLOS ONE.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314644
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