A new systematic review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba for people with cognitive impairment and dementia. The analysis included 82 randomized controlled trials with a total of 10,613 participants, although only 72 studies provided data suitable for detailed outcome analysis.
The review examined ginkgo’s effects on memory, overall cognitive function, daily living abilities, and adverse events among adults with subjective memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), multiple sclerosis-related cognitive problems, or diagnosed dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.
According to the findings, Ginkgo biloba showed little to no benefit for individuals with MCI or cognitive symptoms related to multiple sclerosis. For those already diagnosed with dementia, some small improvements were observed in global clinical status and cognitive function compared to placebo. However, these results were inconsistent across studies. The authors noted: "While the authors noted small to moderate benefits for patients already diagnosed with dementia, the review highlights significant heterogeneity in study outcomes, emphasizing the need for standardized future protocols." They also stated that "evidence for dementia benefits is of low certainty," pointing out substantial variability between trials and limited long-term follow-up data.
Dementia remains a growing public health issue worldwide due to an aging population. Despite ongoing research efforts, there are currently no cures or clearly established therapies that can modify the course of diseases like Alzheimer’s. As a result, many people turn to alternative remedies such as Ginkgo biloba—a plant extract commonly available as an over-the-counter supplement—for possible relief.
Modern medical use of ginkgo typically involves a standardized extract known as EGb 761 containing bioactive compounds thought to act as antioxidants and protect neurons. While these properties make it a plausible candidate for treating cognitive disorders from a biological perspective, this review focused strictly on clinical outcomes rather than mechanisms.
The systematic review included evidence gathered from major medical databases up through November 2024. It found that among people with MCI (1,913 participants), ginkgo did not significantly outperform placebo after six months regarding clinical status or daily functioning. In contrast, modest symptomatic improvements were seen in those formally diagnosed with dementia—though again, certainty was low and longer-term benefits remain unclear.
Regarding safety, most studies found no significant increase in adverse events compared to placebo groups among those with MCI or dementia. One short trial suggested adverse events might be more common among people using ginkgo who had only subjective memory complaints; however, evidence about serious adverse events remains inconclusive.
The authors concluded: "This review synthesizes randomized trial evidence and concludes that while ginkgo is not a preventive 'magic pill' for cognitive decline in healthy or mildly impaired individuals, it may provide modest symptomatic improvement for people living with dementia based on low-certainty evidence and heterogeneous results."
They further emphasized the need for more standardized research protocols and longer-term studies to determine which patient populations might benefit most from Ginkgo biloba supplementation.
