TITLE:
Standardized Ginkgo Biloba Extract in the Treatment of Vertigo and/or Tinnitus: A Review of the Literature
AUTHORS:
Bassel Hallak, Andreas Schneider, Dominik Güntensperger, Andreas Schapowal
KEYWORDS:
Ginkgo Biloba, Vertigo, Tinnitus, Dizziness
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aging Research,
Vol.10 No.2,
March
31,
2021
ABSTRACT: Standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is an established herbal treatment used for
a variety of indications, including vertigo and/or tinnitus. The evidence base
in human clinical studies for a clear benefit of GBE in vertigo and/or tinnitus
is limited and contradictory due to poor reporting as well as variations in
study quality and outcome measures used. The aim of this review is to identify
and discuss the rationale for using GBE in the treatment of vertigo and/or
tinnitus based on the known pleiotropic actions of GBE and the pathophysiology
of vertigo and/or tinnitus. The rationale will be substantiated by a review of
the literature in order to identify and evaluate clinical trials investigating
the efficacy of GBE in individuals with vertigo and/or tinnitus. The review identified randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of GBE in vertigo
and/or tinnitus published in PubMed up to 1st January 2020. In
total, 17 RCTs were included 8 of the 9 studies investigating tinnitus and/or
vertigo/dizziness found improvements, and 6 of 8 included studies investigating
solely tinnitus showed positive effects. Based on the known mechanisms of
action of GBE as well as evidence from animal models and human clinical trials
identified in this review, GBE is a
rational alternative treatment that might provide benefits to individuals with
vertigo and/or tinnitus. However, further well-defined RCTs in patients with
defined pathological entities are necessary to further substantiate the
beneficial effects of GBE for vertigo and/or tinnitus.