Effects and safety of Ginkgo biloba on depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Because depression is a major factor contributing to the global disease burden, we tried to analyze the effects and safety of (GKB) on patients with depression. We conducted a literature search for articles published between January 2002 and May 2022 in seven online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure). A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed to compare the effects and safety of GKB on patients with depression, including subjective and objective indicators of depression evaluation. In total, 21 eligible articles with nine indicators among 2074 patients were included. Several outcomes showed a difference, and the GKB group had better results than the control group, including the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), after taking GKB for 4 weeks (MD = -2.86, 95%CI [-4.27, -1.46], < 0.01), 6 weeks (mean difference (MD) = -3.36, 95%CI [-4.05, -2.67], < 0.01), and 8 weeks (MD = -4.58, 95% CI [-6.11, -3.05], < 0.01), modified Barthel index (MBI) (MD = 14.86, 95%CI [12.07, 17.64], < 0.01), modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian stroke scale (MESSS) (MD = -4.57, 95%CI [-6.34, -2.79], < 0.01), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (MD = 16.35, 95%CI [7.34, 25.36], < 0.01), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (MD = 4.57, 95%CI [3.08, 6.05], < 0.01), and clinical efficacy (risk ratio, RR = 1.24, 95%CI [1.17, 1.32], < 0.01). However, there were no differences in adverse events between GKB and controls. In conclusion, the main finding was that patients treated with GKB had better MBI, MESSS, BDNF, 5-HT, and HAMD values after 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks than the control group. GKB might reduce the risk of depression or depressive symptoms with safe clinical efficacy. identifier (INPLASY2023100052).