Embargoed for release until July 23, 2000
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Top Scientific Experts to Discuss Ginkgo biloba Research
Not all Extracts are Equal, Ingredient & Manufacturing Standards Are Keys to Consumer Product Reliability and Effectiveness
SEATTLE, WA. . .July 23, '00 . . . A panel of internationally recognized scientific experts told researchers attending the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) that not all Ginkgo biloba extracts are the same. The panel presented their findings during an ASP Satellite Symposium: "Ginkgo Extract 2000: Chemical Characterization, Biological Profile, and New Perspectives", organized by Indena, S.p.A., an Italian botanical extract manufacturer. These timely presentations come on the heels of a number of news stories indicating questionable quality of numerous herbal extracts, including Ginkgo.
Not All Extracts Are the Same
"Extracts of the leaves of Ginkgo biloba are one of the most popular herbal dietary supplements in the U.S. and are among the most widely prescribed therapies in Germany and France. Only a few extracts have endured the scrutiny of scientific research investigations. Simply relying on a product label stating 'standardized Ginkgo biloba extract' does not guarantee consumers that the product is the same, precise extract each time and, more importantly, that it works," Ezio Bombardelli, B.Sc., President of Indena's Scientific Board, stressed. "All Ginkgo biloba extracts are not alike. Their uniformity and effectiveness depend on the quality of the raw plant material, the manufacturing processes used and the particular blend of the extract. Consumers who are interested in purchasing a reproducibly effective Ginkgo biloba extract should insist on 'state-of-the-art' manufacturing controls and that the product has undergone clinical research validation before making a purchase."
Ginkgo in Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Konrad Maurer, MD., Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Frankfurt on Main University Hospital described the results of studies documenting the safety and efficacy of Indena's GinkgoSelect(tm) extract in treating patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia. "While more research needs to be done, the initial results are very promising for the more than 20 million patients who live with this debilitating disease everyday," Maurer said.
Paolo Morazzoni, B.Sc., Scientific Director at Indena S.p.A. said, "This is very exciting news for scientists who are researching ways to treat patients with mild dementia and early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. We have been investigating the efficacy of a patented formula comprised of GinkgoSelect complexed with a special soy extract (GinkgoSelect Phytosome(r)). Our initial findings point to superior absorption and thus antioxidant activity over Ginkgo extract alone. We hope to confirm this in Alzheimer's patients and other 'antioxidant-demanding' diseases."
The Alzheimer's Association estimates the number of people who will contract Alzheimer's Diseases will triple by the year 2050. More than four million Americans currently have the disease, for which there is no known cure.
Ginkgo biloba is the oldest living tree species. Extracts are made up of flavone glycosides, several terpene molecules unique to Ginkgo and organic acids. The special terpenes are thought to favorably influence circulation in the brain and peripheral tissues.
The symposium organizer, Indena, S.p.A., is based in Milan, Italy with U.S. headquarters in Seattle, WA. Indena was founded in 1921 and is a private, family-owned business. The company has 700 employees and specializes in the extraction of plant-based active substances for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and dietary supplement industries. Indena has worked with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bayer in the area of botanical drug extraction for the treatment of cancer and sells GinkgoSelect to a number of dietary supplement companies.
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