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  • Title: Ginkgo biloba does--and does not--prevent acute mountain sickness.
    Author: Leadbetter G, Keyes LE, Maakestad KM, Olson S, Tissot van Patot MC, Hackett PH.
    Journal: Wilderness Environ Med; 2009; 20(1):66-71. PubMed ID: 19364166.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of 2 different sources of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in reducing the incidence and severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) following rapid ascent to high altitude. METHODS: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cohort studies were conducted in which participants were treated with GBE (240 mg x d(-1)) or placebo prior to and including the day of ascent from 1600 m to 4300 m (ascent in 2 hours by car). Acute mountain sickness was diagnosed if the Environmental Symptom Questionnaire III acute mountain sickness-cerebral (AMS-C) score was > or =0.7 and the Lake Louise Symptom (LLS) score was > or =3 and the participant reported a headache. Symptom severity was also determined by these scores. RESULTS: Results were conflicting: Ginkgo biloba reduced the incidence and severity of AMS compared to placebo in the first but not the second study. In the first study, GBE reduced AMS incidence (7/21) vs placebo (13/19) (P = .027, number needed to treat = 3), and it also reduced severity (AMS-C = 0.77 +/- 0.26 vs 1.59 +/- 0.27, P = .029). In the second study, GBE did not reduce incidence or severity of AMS (GBE 4/15 vs placebo 10/22, P = .247; AMS-C = 0.48 +/- 0.13 vs 0.58 +/- 0.11, P = .272). The primary difference between the 2 studies was the source of GBE. CONCLUSIONS: The source and composition of GBE products may determine the effectiveness of GBE for prophylaxis of AMS.
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