No significant effect of ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in the treatment of primary Raynaud phenomenon: a randomized controlled trial
Bredie SJ, Jong MC
Published in Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Methodology
Placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial; EGb 761 120 mg twice daily or placebo for 10 weeks after a 2-week run-in; primary outcomes self-reported frequency, duration and severity of vasospastic attacks.
Key Findings
41 patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon were randomised to Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 120 mg twice daily (n = 21) or placebo for 10 weeks after a 2-week run-in. Daily attack frequency fell from 3.6 +/- 2.3 to 2.4 +/- 2.6 (-33%) with EGb 761 and from 2.9 +/- 2.0 to 2.0 +/- 1.8 (-31%) with placebo, a non-significant difference (p = 0.3564). Duration and severity of vasospastic attacks also did not differ (p = 0.4392 and p = 0.7187). Tolerability was excellent, with 6 adverse events on EGb 761 versus 11 on placebo and no serious events.
Conclusions
EGb 761 was safe but did not significantly reduce clinically relevant Raynaud symptoms versus placebo.
Limitations
A 41-patient pilot study relying on self-reported attack diaries over 10 weeks; it is underpowered to exclude a small benefit and mostly enrolled women.
Supplements Studied
EGb 761 could not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in clinically relevant symptoms compared with placebo.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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