A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF GINKGO BILOBA

Smrutiranjan Dash, Aastha Agrawal*

Ginkgo biloba, often referred to as the maidenhair tree, is among the oldest living plant species and has been widely utilized in traditional medicine, especially within Chinese health practices. Herbal remedies remain significant in contemporary medicine because of their availability, healing properties, and impact on drug development. This review gathers information from multiple scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, employing conventional literature review methods to outline its historical context, classification, structure, chemical composition, and medicinal properties. Ginkgo biloba is classified under the Ginkgoaceae family and is noted for its dioecious traits, fan-shaped foliage, and distinctive vein structure, while it physically appears as a tall, deciduous tree with unique leaf formation. The plant holds significant bioactive compounds like flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) and terpenoids (ginkgolides and bilobalide), which contribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and vasodilatory properties. From a pharmacological perspective, it has shown considerable promise in boosting cognitive abilities, enhancing memory, and treating neurological conditions. Additionally, its therapeutic effectiveness in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disorders like ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and atherosclerosis is ascribed to its vascular and hemorheological characteristics, especially the inhibition of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by ginkgolides, which leads to decreased platelet aggregation and enhanced microcirculation. It further safeguards against ischemia-reperfusion injury by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation and demonstrates moderate efficacy in peripheral vascular issues such as intermittent claudication. In summary, Ginkgo biloba shows potential as a medicinal plant, but additional research is necessary to standardize its formulations and confirm its clinical effectiveness.