Effects and safety of Ginkgo biloba extract on hyperlipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have explored the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (Gbe) on hyperlipidemia; however, the results were inconclusive. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Gbe on hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Pubmed, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched until Dec 31, 2024. Mean difference was pooled using random-effects models. RESULTS: Ten randomised controlled trials were included in our study. Compared with proprietary Chinese medicine, the effect of Gbe on hyperlipidemia was not statistically significant, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL). Compared with western medicine, the effect of Gbe on HDL was statistically significant (MD = 0.14, 95% CI= 0.01, 0.28, I2 = 81.06%, P = 0.017), not on TC, TG and LDL. In the age-specific analysis, we found that the effect of Gbe on TC was statistically significant among 50-60 age group (MD = -0.43, 95% CI= -0.85, -0.01, I2 = 83.76%, P = 0.042). Notably, among participants aged ≤50 years, TG reduction is greater in the control group than in the Gbe group (MD = 0.12, 95% CI= 0.03, 0.21, I2 = 0.00%, P = 0.012). In the dose-specific analysis, the medium dose group of Gbe had a more significant reduction on TC and TG (TC: MD=-0.69, 95% CI=-1.02, -0.37, I2 = 51.3%, P < 0.001; TG: MD = -0.34, 95% CI = -0.53, -0.15, I2 = 0.00%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gbe demonstrates a greater therapeutic effect on HDL compared with Western medicine and shows non-inferiority to proprietary Chinese medicine in improving HDL levels. Gbe shows a significant therapeutic effect on TC levels among individuals aged 50-60 years and in the medium-dose group.