June 01, 2009 - Seoul, South Korea - A recent animal study indicates that the herbal extract Ginkgo biloba may reduce neuropathic pain, as reported in the June issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
This study provides the first scientific evidence that ginkgo has a real effect in reducing neuropathic pain. The animal study showed that a group of rats after receiving a Ginkgo biloba extract had a decreased pain response to pressure and the exposure to cold, when compared to their baseline response.
Prior to the administration of the Ginkgo extract, and compared to the placebo group. The duration of the pain reducing effect of the Ginkgo extract was longer with increasing dosage of Ginkgo biloba. The highest dose maintained pain reduction for 2 hours after Ginkgo administration, although the highest dose did appear to affect locomotor function in the rats.
The study evaluated the effect of administration of Ginkgo biloba extract in a rat model of neuropathic pain. The rats were subjected to surgically induced mechanical pressure and cold.
The rats with induced neuropathic pain were administered various dosages of Ginkgo biloba extract or normal saline as the placebo and were evaluated subsequently for pain response at various time increments prior to and following the administration of the Ginkgo biloba extract. Mechanical pain sensitivity was evaluated by paw pressure. Heightened responses to cold were tested and locomotor function was evaluated to establish any sedation or coordination related side effects.
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