Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Description

HS Code:2932999099

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba; pinyin romanization: yín xìng,Hepburn romanization: ichō or ginnan, Vietnamese: bạch quả), also spelledgingko and also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique species of tree withno living relatives. The ginkgo is a living fossil, recognisably similar tofossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widelycultivated and was introduced early to human history. It has various uses intraditional medicine and as a source of food.

Culinary use
The nut-like gametophytes inside the seedsare particularly esteemed in Asia, and are atraditional Chinese food. Ginkgo nuts are used in congee, and are often servedat special occasions such as weddings and the Chinese New Year (as part of thevegetarian dish called Buddha’s delight). In Chinese culture, they are believedto have health benefits; some also consider them to have aphrodisiac qualities.Japanese cooks add ginkgo seeds (called ginnan) to dishes such as chawanmushi,and cooked seeds are often eaten along with other dishes.

Potential medicinal uses
Extracts of ginkgo leaves contain flavonoidglycosides (myricetin and quercetin) and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides)and have been used pharmaceutically. These extracts are shown to exhibitreversible, nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibition, as well as inhibition ofreuptake at the serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine transporters, with allbut the norepinephrine reuptake inhibition fading in chronic exposure. Ginkgoextract has in addition been found to act as a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist in vivo. Ginkgosupplements are usually taken in the range of 40–200 mg per day. In 2010, ameta-analysis of clinical trials has shown Ginkgo to be moderately effective inimproving cognition in dementia patients but not preventing the onset ofAlzheimer’s disease in people without dementia. In research not yet confirmedby clinical or governmental agencies, ginkgo may have some efficacy in treatingthe symptoms of schizophrenia.