The potential of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of human diseases and the relationship to Nrf2-mediated antioxidant protection

Objectives This review summarises the current findings regarding the therapeutic effects of GBE and its active ingredients in relation to the Nrf2 antioxidant cascade, to provide scientific insights into the clinical applications of GBE in treating oxidative stress-induced diseases. Key findings We found that GBE or its active ingredients activate several signalling mechanisms in cells, including the Nrf2 pathway, which is the master controller of the antioxidant defence that detoxifies reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-mediated cell and tissue damage contributes to ageing and pathological conditions that underlie several important human diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), ischemic stroke and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). GBE or its component antioxidants could be applied for the treatment and/or prevention of DN, ischemic stroke and AMD due to their capacity to activate Nrf2 signalling. These strategies may also be applicable to the treatment of other similar conditions that are induced by oxidative stress. Thus, the therapeutic applications of GBE could be expanded.