Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) and Bai guo (Gingko biloba) enhance learning and memory
Singh, B.; Song, H.; Liu, X-Dong.; Hardy, M.; Liu, G-Zhong.; Vinjamury, S.P.; Martirosian, C.Der.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 10(4): 52-56
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1078-6791 PMID: 15285274 Document Number: 566998
An exploration of the usefulness of several common Chinese herbs used for Acquisition and Retention singly or in combination is required. Objective: To test (1) whether G. biloba (Bai guo) in combination with C. pilosula (Dangshen) or G. biloba (GB) alone could enhance memory acquisition and retention of normal human subjects, better than a placebo and (2) to investigate whether the overall health status can be affected by these supplements. Design: A double blind randomized placebo controlled trial design was used to determine the efficacy of these two products compared to placebo. Participants and Setting: Sixty participants, aged 21-60 years, who were either students or faculty of the Southern California University of Health Sciences, California, USA. Intervention: Each combination capsule was made up of 75 mg of C. pilosula total glycosides and 40 mg GB extract. Each GB capsule consisted of 40 mg of G. biloba as an aqueous extract and the placebo pill was similar in shape and colour to that of the other two capsules. All the participants regardless of the group were instructed to take one pill twice a day with food. Results: Mean age was 28 years, almost two thirds of the sample were males. The study adopted repeated measure analysis using data from three measurement points for between group analysis. GB group was compared to placebo, and CPG/GB group was also compared to placebo. These individual comparisons were made to determine whether the active products produced better results than chance. The between groups findings indicate that both products are better than placebo at producing improvements in acquisition and retention and overall health status. Conclusion: In our participant population, the combination product seems to be better than GB alone in improving the cognitive function and overall health.