Planta Med 2019; 85(17): 1292-1303
DOI: 10.1055/a-0947-5712
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Reviews
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neuroprotective Potential of Ginkgo biloba in Retinal Diseases

Isabel Martínez-Solís
1   Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
2   Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
3   Botanical Garden, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
,
Nuria Acero
4   Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain
,
Francisco Bosch-Morell
1   Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
5   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
,
Encarna Castillo
2   Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
,
María Eugenia González-Rosende
2   Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
,
Dolores Muñoz-Mingarro
6   Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain
,
Teresa Ortega
7   Department of Pharmacology and Botany. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
,
María Amparo Sanahuja
2   Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
,
Victoria Villagrasa
2   Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 22 March 2019
revised 22 May 2019

accepted 02 June 2019

Publication Date:
02 July 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Like other tissues of the central nervous system, the retina is susceptible to damage by oxidative processes that result in several neurodegenerative disease such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, ischaemic retinal disease, retinal disease produced by light oxidation, and detached retina, among other diseases. The use of antioxidant substances is a solution to some health problems caused by oxidative stress, because they regulate redox homeostasis and reduce oxidative stress. This is important for neurodegeneration linked to oxidation processes. In line with this, Ginkgo biloba is a medicinal plant with excellent antioxidant properties whose effects have been demonstrated in several degenerative processes, including retinal diseases associated with neurodegeneration. This review describes the current literature on the role of ginkgo in retinal diseases associated with neurodegeneration. The information leads to the conclusion that G. biloba extracts might be a good option to improve certain neurodegenerative retinal diseases, but more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of G. biloba in these retinal degenerative processes.