GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT: MORE THAN JUST FOR MEMORY.

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center say they now have a clearer picture of how an extract from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree reduces the risk of aggressive cancer in animal experiments. In the January-February issue of the journal Anticancer Research, the investigators reported that treating mice with an extract of leaves of ginkgo biloba both before and after implanting human breast or brain tumors decreased expression of a cell receptor associated with invasive cancer. This decreased expression slowed the growth of the breast tumors by 80% as long as the extract was used, compared to untreated mice, and also reduced the size of the brain tumors, but temporarily, and to a lesser extent. (Anticancer Research, Jan-Feb. 2006)