Ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine for functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #recovery-of-function #ischemic-stroke #ginkgo-biloba #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine for functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang et al., 2025 | J Ethnopharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Liuding, Liang Xiao, ... Zhang Yunling. Ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine for functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025-Feb-27;342:119416. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.119416

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The clinical efficacy of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM), a Chinese patent medicine, in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has garnered attention. However, the impact of GDLM on functional recovery in AIS patients has not been systematically reviewed or meta-analyzed. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the functional outcomes of GDLM in AIS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a search of seven databases from inception to July 10, 2024, for pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed trial selection, data extraction, and bias assessment. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate functional and safety outcomes. Quality of evidence was assessed. RESULTS: We included eight RCTs involving 4041 patients. Compared to those receiving only conventional treatments (CTs), patients treated with GDLM in combination with CTs exhibited a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving excellent (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-1) or favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) (risk ratio [RR] for excellent functional outcome = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.24, p < 0.001; RR for favorable functional outcome = 1.21, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.26, p < 0.001) and had lower mRS scores (mean difference [MD] = -0.66, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.59, p < 0.001) at 90 days. The evidence supporting GDLM's role in restoring functional independence was rated as moderate in certainty. Additionally, the incidences of adverse events and reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that GDLM may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for improving functional outcomes in AIS patients. Nonetheless, further validation of GDLM's efficacy and safety in real-world settings is warranted through future practice.

Key Findings

We included eight RCTs involving 4041 patients. Compared to those receiving only conventional treatments (CTs), patients treated with GDLM in combination with CTs exhibited a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving excellent (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-1) or favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) (risk ratio [RR] for excellent functional outcome = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.24, p < 0.001; RR for favorable functional outcome = 1.21, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.26, p < 0.0

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 4041
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Recovery of Function
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Diterpenes
  • Lactones
  • Meglumine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: ginkgo

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09