Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

The Basics On Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

What is Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract?

Potent antioxidant and soothing ingredient.

What are other names for Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract?

EXTRACT OF GINKGO, EXTRACT OF GINKGO BILOBA, EXTRACT OF MAIDENHAIR TREE, GINKGO BILOBA (MAIDENHAIR TREE) LEAF EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA, EXT., GINKGO EXTRACT, MAIDENHAIR EXTRACT, MAIDENHAIR TREE EXTRACT, and MAIDENHAIR TREE LEAF EXTRACT

What is Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract used for?

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is believed to have all sorts of skin benefits, due to its cleansing properties and antioxidant content: Working to reclaim youthful-looking skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unclogging pores and helping to keep skin blemish free.

How Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract is classified

Skin-Soothing, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts

Recommendations for using Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract During Pregnancy

What we know about using Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

The reproductive and developmental toxicity of a standardized GBE (EGb 761® ) was studied in mice. In one study, groups of 25 mated female CD-1 mice received 0, 100, 350, or 1225 mg/kg/day GBE in tap water via gavage (20 ml/kg) on days 6 through 15 of gestation. 50 The dams were observed daily for clinical signs of toxicity. Feed and water consumption were monitored during the study. Body weight was measured daily. On day 17 of gestation, the dams were killed and the ovaries, uteri, and the fetuses were removed. The internal organs and the placentae of the dams were examined macroscopically. The fetuses were examined for several parameters, including external and internal damages (malformations), sex, viability, and weight. The skeletal systems and soft tissues of the fetuses were also examined. No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the dams and there were no unscheduled deaths. No treatment related effects were observed in body weight gains or feed and water consumption. There were no pathological findings observed during necropsy. No embryotoxic effects were observed during external and internal examinations of the fetuses nor were any observed in skeletal or soft tissues. There were no increased incidences of malformation, variations, or retardations. The authors concluded the no-observed-effect-level (NOEL) was greater than 1225 mg/kg/day for both the dams and the fetuses in this study of a standardized GBE. 50 Another study examined the dose response and pathologic effects of a standardized GBE (EGb 761® ) in saline on cycling female Swiss albino mice. 51 The test material was orally administered at doses of 0, 3.7, 7.4, or 14.8 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 days from the day of estrus phase (prior to mating), from day 1 to day 7 of gestation, or from day 10 to day 18 of gestation. A total of 200 cycling female mice were assigned for the experiments. There were 10 animals for each group used to study the effect of graded doses of GBE on anti-implantation and abortifacient activities and the remaining 120 animals were used to study the reproductive cycle (40 mice, 10 per group). Blood hormones of non-pregnant mice were measured on day 28. Kidneys, liver, brain, placenta, spleen and ovaries were quickly removed and weighed from all animals that were killed. Post-mortem evaluations included preparing ovaries for histological examinations, and counting ovarian follicles. Maternal toxicity, estrous cycle, reproductive hormones, ovarian follicle counts, resorption index, implantation index, fetal viability and fetuses, and placenta mean weights were also evaluated. No signs of clinical toxicity such as depressed activities, respiratory distress, salivation, tremor, fasciculation, dull eyes, diarrhea, or change in fur appearance were observed in the dams during any of the treatments, and there were no unscheduled deaths. Statistically significant decreases in body weight gains were observed in the 14.8 mg/kg/day dose group treated for 28 days when compared to the controls. In comparison to body weight, there were no treatment-related differences in the relative weights of the liver, kidney, brain, spleen, ovary, and placenta, but there was a significant dosedependent decrease in the relative weight of the gravid uterus in the 14.8 mg/kg/day dose group treated for 28 days when compared to controls. Ovarian follicle counts, resorption index, implantation index, and fetal viability were significantly reduced in 14.8 mg/kg/day dose group. Treatment with 14.8 mg/kg bw/day of this particular GBE induced disruption of estrous cycle and caused maternal toxicity, in addition to fetal toxicity. No adverse effects were observed in the 3.7 or 7.4 mg/kg bodyweight/day dose groups in any of the different test groups. The authors concluded that 14.8 mg/kg body weight/day of this GBE produced adverse effects on the estrous cycle, fertility, reproductive performance, and hormone levels of female mice and may cause adverse effects on ovarian function as an antifertility agent. The highest dose tested was based on the equivalent to the suggested supplement dose level for humans of three 260 mg capsules/day51 The effects of an aqueous GBE (similar to EGb 761® ) on embryo-fetal development were investigated in pregnant Wistar rats. 52 Groups of 17 rats received 0, 3.5, 7, or 14 mg/kg/day of the test material during the tubal transit and implantation period of pregnancy. The dams were then killed on the 15th day of pregnancy. The following parameters were evaluated during the study: clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity; maternal body weight; feed and water intake; maternal liver, kidney, and ovary weights; number of corpora lutea; implants per group ratio; pre- and post-implantation loss per group ratio; live fetuses mean; dead fetuses percentage; fetus and placenta weight per offspring ratio; and fetal external malformation. No significant adverse effects were observed for any of the parameters in the dams or the embryos. The authors of this study concluded that the studied GBE did not produce adverse effects in maternal or embryonic rats.

General safety info about Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract from CIR

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel assessed the safety of 10 Ginkgo biloba-derived ingredients, which are most frequently reported to function in cosmetics as skin conditioning agents or antioxidants. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing the same constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. The Panel was concerned about the presence of ginkgolic acid in cosmetics. Industry should use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities. The Panel concluded that 5 Ginkgo biloba leaf-derived ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-sensitizing; data are insufficient to determine the safety of the remaining 5 ingredients under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

Klorane Leave-in Spray with Essential Olive Extract – Aging Hair (4.2 fl. oz.); GROWN ALCHEMIST Intensive Hand Cream – Persian Rose & Argan Extract (2.29 oz.); skyn ICELAND Icelandic Relief Eye Cream with Glacial Flower Extract (0.49 oz.); N/A