The nitric oxide-savenging properties of ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761

Could someone translate this into layman’s terms please?

Abstract:
Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was found to be a scavenger of nitric oxide in in vitro acellular systems, under physiological conditions. EGb 761 competed with oxyhemoglobin for reaction with nitric oxide generated during the interaction of hydroxylamine with Complex I of catalase. An EGb 761 dose-dependent decrease in the amount of nitrite formed in the reaction of oxygen with nitric oxide produced from solution of 5 mM sodium nitroprusside was also observed. These data implicate it as a potential therapeutic agent in conditions of altered production of nitric oxide

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I’m no doctor but here’s my understanding:

Ginkgo Biloba was found to reduce levels of Nitric Oxide in a non-biological controlled environment (probably a test tube). Under the conditions normally found in the body (probably Temperature, Neutral PH and Salinity), ginkgo competed with haemoglobin (the molecules inside our red blood cells that binds oxygen to itself to carry it around the body) for gathering the Nitric Oxide for transportation. In the experiment, the Nitric Oxide was produced by the interaction of Hydroxylamine (one of the body’s natural sources of Nitric oxide without supplementation) in the presence of catalase (an enzyme in the body that breaks down Hydrogen Peroxide to water and oxygen) - NB this is not how Nitric Oxide is produced by Arginine supplementation.

As well as reducing the amount of NO available for transportation by haemoglobin, It was also observed that Gingko caused a decrease in the amount of Nitrite (NO3) when NO and O2 react (as it does in the body to have its vascular-dilatory effects). The data implicates that Gingko may be a possibly therapy for cases of excess Nitric oxide production.

So it reduces the body’s naturally available nitric oxide supply…. whether the massively elevated levels that occur when you take NO supplements are affected to any significant degree remains to be seen.

See this:

"EFFECT OF THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF GINKGO BILOBA

EXTRACT (EGb 761) ON AGING AND OXIDATIVE STRESS

ABSTRACT

Aging is responsible for oxidative damage to DNA,

protein, lipid, and other macromolecules linked to

tissue alterations. The resultant damage contributes

significantly to degenerative diseases, to include

those of the brain, sensorial tissues, and

cardiovascular system. To protect cellular components

from oxyradical attack, especially lipoperoxidation,

a substantial interest in the use of

antioxidants has evolved. A free radical scavenger,

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) may be effective in

fighting the oxidative stress related to aging. Many

data support the efficacy of EGb 761 in biological

model systems. In aging processes, EGb 761 may

ameliorate the mitochondria respiratory chain function

by quenching the superoxide anion, and the

hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. It protects the brain

by facilitating the uptake of neurotransmitters and

by reducing ischemia-reperfusion episodes and level

of apoptosis. Moreover, in sensorial tissues, EGb

761 reduces apoptosis in the olfactive bulb and in

the retinal pigmented epithelium of the eye, and

protects against the lipoperoxidation alteration of

the retina that results in a decrease of the electroretinogram

response. In the cardiovascular system,

by a direct effect on oxidative low density lipoproteins,

EGb 761 may decrease atherosclerosis evolution,

and is shown to accelerate cardiac mechanical

recovery after ischemia-reperfusion. In conclusion,

the antioxidant effects of EGb 761 noted in many

experimental data, may explain the therapeutic efficacy

observed in clinical trials of the elderly. These

beneficial properties seem in part to come from the

activity of EGb 761 constituents, such as flavonoids

and terpens.

fulltext

I actually think the simple point is that it increases, not decreases, the level of NO production. I am not aware of any medical conditions that have concomitant increase in NO production, but there are many which have the opposite. More NO is good. Less is bad.

"………Although nitric oxide production in the immune system serves a crucial biological function, there can be adverse effects when too much nitric oxide is produced. During a massive bacterial infection, excess nitric oxide can go into the vascular system, causing a dramatic decrease in blood pressure, which may lead to possibly fatal septic shock. Thus, scientists are working on drugs that can selectively inhibit the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in order to avoid the harmful effects produced by excess nitric oxide without interfering with useful nitric oxide pathways."
http://www.answ … ic/nitric-oxide

" Neuroglobin protects against nitric oxide toxicity Kunlin Jin, Xiao Ou Mao, Lin Xie, Adil A. Khan and David A. Greenberg
Buck Institute for Age Research, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, United States

AbstractNeuroglobin (Ngb) is a novel vertebrate globin expressed principally in neurons. Ngb expression is induced by hypoxia and ischemia, and Ngb protects neurons against these insults. The mechanism of Ngb’s protective action is unknown, but its ability to bind NO suggests that NO scavenging might be involved. To test this hypothesis, we treated wild type and Ngb-transfected HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuron × N18TG2 neuroblastoma) cells with NO donors and compared their sensitivity to NO-induced cell death. Ngb overexpression shifted concentration–toxicity curves to the right, indicating reduced susceptibility to NO or is metabolites. The results suggest that the ability of Ngb to neutralize the neurotoxic effects of reactive nitrogen species may be an important contributor to its neuroprotective properties."

Link

The problem with too much NO is that it’s converted into NO3 which dilates your blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels result in lower blood pressure which can put strain on the heart. If you’ve ever taken a sniff of poppers; themselves nitrites - isobutyl nitrite or amyl nitrite you get a big rush off it because your blood vessels dilate, your blood pressure plumits and your heart works overtime to compensate for the reduction in blood pressure.

Ginkgo Biloba still doesn’t have any documented positive effects on sexual functioning in controlled trials. The only one that gave positive results was an open study, and the placebo effect more than accounted for the results. This was seen when double/triple blinded trials showed no effect.

When I was at university I used to take shitloads of ginkgo to improve my memory. I swear it worked, I could soak up info like a sponge. Also, in winter when my feet normally got cold in bed, they were nice and warm. I attributed these two facts to the ginkgo. If it increases bloodflow to the brain and feet I don’t see why it wouldn’t to the penis, but in saying that I never noticed my erections being any harder.