Is ginkgo biloba a mild MAOI?

Question

I was reading that ginkgo biloba is a mild MAOI but, there was no evidence to support this statement. And i couldn't find anything on this subject. So, is ginkgo biloba a mild MAOI?

Answer 1

Medical uses
The extract of the Ginkgo leaves contains flavonoid glycosides and ginkgolides and has been used pharmaceutically. It has many alleged nootropic properties, and is mainly used as memory enhancer and anti-vertigo agent. However, studies differ about its efficacy.

Out of the many conflicting research results, there seem to be basically three effects of Ginkgo extract on the human body: it improves blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; it protects against oxidative cell damage from free radicals (antioxidant); and it blocks many of the effects of PAF (platelet aggregation, blood clotting) that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders. Ginkgo can be used for intermittent claudication.

A 2004 conference paper [6] summarises how various trials indicate that Ginkgo shows promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, although further study is needed.

Ginkgo is commonly added to energy drinks, but the amount is typically so low it does not produce a noticeable effect, except perhaps via a placebo effect from Ginkgo being listed on the label.

Ginkgo should also not be used by people who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or by pregnant women without first consulting a doctor.

The best I can tell is that Ginko should not be taken with an MAOI. MAOI's are icky drugs that are incompatible with almost everything. They were one of the first antidepressants to be discovered and have been replaced by many of the newer antidepressants with less side effects. When your taking them you can't have many meats, dairy products and don't go near alcohol products of any sort. This is like most antidepressants (alcohol) but they MAOI's have sever and sudden reactions to simple everyday things

Check out this site:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginkgo.html

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition by ginkgo was reported in one animal study, but has not been confirmed in humans. In theory, if taken with MAOI drugs, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenelzine (Nardil®), or tranylcypromine (Parnate®), additive effects and side effects may occur. Based on laboratory research, ginkgo may also add to the effects of SSRI antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft®), with an increased risk of causing serotonin syndrome, a condition characterized by stiff muscles, fast heart rate, hyperthermia, restlessness, and sweating.

Answer 2

"Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition by ginkgo was reported in one animal study, but has not been confirmed in humans."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginkgo.html

I guess that's why wikipedia says that gingko shouldn't be taken with MAOIs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo

Not that much of a surprise, really. There's lots of things that can't be taken in conjunction with MAOIs.