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Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba

Memory, concentration and attention

Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng work together in Gincosan to support cognitive function and mental performance.

Research Specific extract

Both Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba have been used throughout history to improve cognitive function and mental performance.1-6

 

In Gincosan®, two specific standardised extracts from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, have been combined to create a unique patented formulation of G115 (ginseng) and GK105 (ginkgo).

 

Discover more about the G115 and GK105 extracts used by SFI Health, how they work together, and the key studies that support their benefits when used in Gincosan.

 

Always read the label. Follow the directions of use. Packaging and product claims may vary depending on country-specific regulations. Products available in selected markets only

Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba in history

Ginkgo biloba L. belongs to the family of Ginkgoaceae, and is believed to be the oldest living tree. Extracts and infusions from the leaves of Ginkgo have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.14

Panax ginseng is a perennial shrub, native to north-eastern China, Korea and Russia.15 It was traditionally used as a tonic to support the body in times of increased demand and to promote good health and vitality.17-19

 

Panax ginseng was first recorded in Chinese medicine over 2000 years ago, and was already the subject of over 600 published books and papers before the year 2000.17,20

 

You may have heard of ‘ginseng’ before, but it’s important to know that not all ginseng is the same. Ginseng comprises a genus called ‘Panax’. Several species of ginseng exist within this, e.g. Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng and so on.  All are ginseng - but there is one with more clinical research supporting its medical use. This is Panax ginseng.

Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba in history

The specific extracts used by SFI Health: G115 & GK105

G115 is the specific extract of Panax ginseng used by SFI Health in Gincosan. Its first mention goes back to 1960, and it has over 35 years of research supporting it as an individual extract.21

 

The special extract G115 is produced from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. This is where most of the important ingredients lie, including the active ingredient – the ‘ginsenosides’. It takes up to five years, and involves multiple steps for a Panax ginseng root to become G115, ensuring that there is an optimal concentration of the active therapeutic components. Thanks to a complex process, the G115 extract in Ginsana®, contains a consistent content of ginsenosides - 4% to be exact.

 

GK105 is the specific extract of Ginkgo biloba used by SFI Health in Gincosan. It’s obtained from the dried leaves of the plant and is extracted and processed according to a similar principle as for G115. This ensures that the ‘standardised extract’ contains a consistent content of active ingredients; 24.5% ginkgoflavon glycosides and 6% terpenes (ginkgolides, bilobalide).

Because all G115 and GK501 extract are standardized, having the same concentration of active ingredients, it is possible to investigate their effects on cognitive functions in clinical trials. 

 

The beneficial effect of G115 and GK501 in Gincosan is based on numerous clinical trials in humans. Results from these clinical studies suggests that this patented combination may help:7-13

 

  • Improve attention, concentration and memory
  • Support the ability to retain information
  • The brain function more efficiently
  • Prevent mental fatigue
  • Enhance the quality of memory
  • Reduce forgetfulness
The specific extracts used by SFI Health: G115 & GK105

How G115 works

The physiology of cognitive performance is a complex process, so the use of a combination of extracts that can act in multiple ways can be useful to support all the processes involved. G115 and GK501 are combined in Gincosan to help improve cognitive function.

It does this by:15,22-28

 

  • Improving blood to the brain
    • Gincosan helps improves the blood circulation to the brain by diminishing blood viscosity, reducing capillary permeability and relaxing the muscular cells of blood vessels
  • Increasing oxygen to the brain
    • Gincosan helps facilitates better oxygen and nutrients uptake by the brain
  • Optimising neurotransmission
    • Gincosan may allow more efficient interaction and better signal transmission between brain cells
  • Brain protection
    • Gincosan extracts have neuro-protective effects, protecting the nerve cells against early damage
How G115 works

G115 and GK105 in clinical trials

More than 30 clinical studies, involving more than 1000 participants, have been conducted with G115 over the last 35 years demonstrating the benefits of the unique extract, while generally well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported.

Wesnes 1997

64 healthy volunteers with mild fatigue over 3 months

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Cognitive function

Wesnes KA, et al. Psychopharmacol Bull 1997; 38 (4): 677-683.

Wesnes 2000

279 healthy middle-aged volunteers 14 weeks

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Cognitive function Memory quality (working memory and long term memory) Speed of memory retrieval Attention power and continuity Mood Mental and physical well-being

Wesnes KA, Ward T, McGinty A, Petrini O. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2000;152(4):353-61.

Scholey & Kennedy 2002

60 healthy young volunteers 90 days

Positive Effect

vs. placebo for:

  • Cognitive benefits

Scholey AB, Kennedy DO. Hum Psychopharmacol 2002;17(1):35-44.

Kennedy 2001

20 healthy young volunteers 4 doses

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Quality of memory Speed of attention Accuracy of memory task performance

Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Wesnes KA. Nutr Neurosci 2001;4(5):399-412.

Kennedy 2002

20 healthy young volunteers 4 doses

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Accuracy of memory task performance

Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Wesnes KA. Physiol Behav. 2002;75(5):739-51.

Kwiecinski 1997

83 patients with chronic cerebrovascular disorders over 8 weeks

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for:

  • Lack of concentration Forgetfulness

Kwiecinski H Lusakowska A, Mieszkowski J. Eur J Clin Res 1997;9:59-67.

Grosse Aldenhovel

47 hospitalised epileptic patients over 8 weeks

Positive Effect

vs. placebo for:

  • Subjective perception of well-being

Grosse Aldenhoevel HB, Degenring F, Mulz D. Psycho 1992; 18 (7): 495-501.

SFI Health Difference

Natural healthcare products can vary considerably depending on how they are produced. Keenmind is produced according to our 'Source to Patient' philosophy which aims to deliver a high quality and consistent extract, from batch to batch so that you can be confident that it can deliver the health benefits demonstrated in the clinical research.

This helps ensure that the natural healthcare products you are getting contains the exact ingredient, in the exact same amounts demonstrated in the clinical research. That's the SFI Health difference.

G115 & GK501: A Summary

Consistent quality

Through our rigorous processes, quality controls and extensive testing we ensure that the G115 & GK501 extracts can offer desired health outcomes demonstrated by clinical trials.

>30 years of research

Numerous clinical studies investigating the beneficial effect Panax ginseng & Ginkgo biloba in combination.

10 Clinical trials

Support the combined role of G115 & GK501 in supporting cognitive function and mental performance.

Recommended worldwide

to support cognitive function and mental performance.

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References

 

  1. Ginseng radix: ginseng. ESCOP Monographs: the Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd Edition, Exeter, ESCOP, 211-222 (2003).
  2. Radix Ginseng. WHO monographs on medicinal plants commonly used in the Newly Independent States (NIS).Geneva: World Health Organization, 141-159 (2010).
  3. European Medicines Agency. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC): final: community herbal monograph on Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer, radix (London, 25 March 2014, doc. Ref, EMA/HMPC/321233/2012).
  4. Ginkgo folium: ESCOP Monographs: the Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd Edition, Exeter, ESCOP, 178- 210 (2003).
  5. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 1, Geneva, World Health Organization, 154-167 (1999).
  6. European Medicines Agency. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC): final: community herbal monograph on Ginkgo biloba L. folium (London, 28 January 2014, doc.ref, EMA/HMPC/321097/2012).
  7. Wesnes KA, et al. Psychopharmacol Bull 1997; 38 (4): 677-683.
  8. Wesnes KA, Ward T, McGinty A, Petrini O. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2000;152(4):353-61.
  9. Scholey AB, Kennedy DO. Hum Psychopharmacol 2002;17(1):35-44.
  10. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Wesnes KA. Nutr Neurosci 2001;4(5):399-412.
  11. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Wesnes KA. Physiol Behav. 2002;75(5):739-51.
  12. Kwiecinski H Lusakowska A, Mieszkowski J. Eur J Clin Res 1997;9:59-67.
  13. Grosse Aldenhoevel HB, Degenring F, Mulz D. Psycho 1992; 18 (7): 495-501.
  14. McKay, D. Alternative Medicine Review 2004; 9(1): 4-16. 
  15. Ulbricht (2013). Natural Standard Database. Panax ginseng. 
  16. Pizzorno, J.E. & Murray, M.T. (1999). Textbook of natural medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. 
  17. Schulz, V. et al. (2001), Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians’ Guided to Herbal Medicine, p. 332
  18. Scaglione F et al. 2005 Evid Based Integrative Med 2(4); 195-206.
  19. Mahadevan S & Park Y. Journal of Food Science vol. 73-1 (2008).
  20. Jung F, et al. Arzneimittelforschung 1990;40(5):589-93.
  21. Krieglstein, Josef, et al. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences 1995;3(1):39-48.
  22. Yoshitake T, Yoshitake S and Kehr J. Br J Pharmacol 2010; Feb; 159(3): 659–668.
  23. Watanabe, Coran MH, et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2001;98(12): 6577-6580.
  24. Rokot NT, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016)
  25. Smith I et al. Nutrition Reviews Vol 72.(5):319-333 (2014).
  26. Landucci E et al. 11°FENS forum of Neuroscience. 7-11 July, Berlin. Poster presentation C14-Neuroprotection, Abstract C132. Effects of Ginkgo biloba (GK501) and Panax ginseng (G115) alone or in combination in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures exposed to excitotoxic insults.
  27. Schleicher P. Offene Studie zur Beurteilung der Verträglichkeit des Präparates PHL-00701 Pharmaton. Interner Bericht Pharmaton, 04.01.1988.

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