Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Saturday 16 November 2013

Chinese Herbs– Bai Gou (Semen Ginkgo Bilobae)

Bai Gou also known as Ginkgo biloba Seed. is a very large tree, genus Ginkgo, belonging to the family Ginkgoaceae, native to China, from temperate zone to subtropical zone and some parts of north America. It is a sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral and mildly toxic herb and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to promotes the descending of Lung-Qi, expels phlegm, stops wheezing cough and vaginal discharge in yeast infection. , eliminates damp heat, dampness, etc, by enhancing the functions of lung and kidney channels.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/253472278/Semen_Gingko_Ginkgo_Seed_Bai_Guo_Herb.jpg

Ingredients

1. Flavonol

2. Flavin and its glucosides
3. Dihydro-flavonol
4. Bi-flavonol

5. Phenols

6. Organic acids

7. Ginkgo-B (a saponin)

8. D-sesamin

9. Cyanophoric glucoside,

10. Gibberellin,

11. Cytokininlike substances.

12. Protein

13. Carbohydrates

14. Calcium

15. Phophorus

16. Iron

17 Vitamin A or carotene

18. Riboflavine

19. Vitamin C and E

20. Asparagine
21. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Liver cancer
Ethanol fractionation of Bai Gou seed has caused the apoptosis of hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 by thinning and increasing the number of spherical cells markedly, according to the study of “Apoptosis of hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 induced by Ginkgo biloba seed polysaccharide” by Chen Q, Yang GW, An LG., posted in PubMed(1)
2. Leukemia cells
Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides (GBEP) has demonstrated the Influence on HL-60 cells proliferation and apoptosis by effecting on the expression of proliferation-promotion gene c-myc and apoptosis-inhibitory gene bcl-2., according to the study of “[Experimental study of Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on HL-60 cells in vitro].[Article in Chinese]” by Xu A, Chen H, Sun B., posted in PubMed(2)
3. Gastric cancer
Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides has shown the ability in inhibition of proliferation and inducing apoptosis and differentiation of Gastric cancer cell by effecting the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and c-fos genes, according to the study of “Therapeutic mechanism of ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer” Xu AH, Chen HS, Sun BC, Xiang XR, Chu YF, Zhai F, Jia LC., posted in PubMed(3)
4. Anti-cancer
Bai Gou contains high amount of Ginkgolic acid,which had exerted the inhibiting proliferation and retarding the progress of cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, according to the study of “Antitumor effects of ginkgolic acid in human cancer cell occur via cell cycle arrest and decrease the Bcl-2/Bax ratio to induce apoptosis” by Zhou C, Li X, Du W, Feng Y, Kong X, Li Y, Xiao L, Zhang P. , posted in PubMed(4)
5. Antioxiadants
Ginkgo biloba L. exocarp polysaccharides significantly enhanced SOD activity and decreased malondialdehyde MDA content in S180 bearing mice. Similar effects were observed in ( cyclophosphamide) CTX-intoxicated mice, according to the study of “[Influence of Ginkgo biloba L. exocarp polysaccharides on serum superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde level in mice under different states].[Article in Chinese]” by Xu A, Chen H, Wang L, Wang Q., posted in PubMed(5)
6. Neuroprotection (Nervous system)
Although Ginkgo Bilobae has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the nervous system as a result of its antioxidant effects, its seed contains high amount of kaempferol which may be used to treat Parkinson’s disease, according to the study of “Neuroprotection of kaempferol by autophagy in models of rotenone-mediated acute toxicity: possible implications for Parkinson’s disease” by Filomeni G, Graziani I, De Zio D, Dini L, Centonze D, Rotilio G, Ciriolo MR., posted in PubMed(6)
7. Etc.
Side effects
1. Raw Bai Gou are toxic
2. Over dosr can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, muscle spasm, anxiety and difficulty in breath
3. Do not use Bai Gou or consult with your doctor if you are taking anti- coagulation medicine
4. Etc.