Double blind placebo controlled multicentre study of ginkgolide B in treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. The Ginkgolide Study Group in multiple sclerosis

After an open labelled pilot study of ginkgolide B, a potent inhibitor of platelet activating factor, in the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, a randomised double blind placebo controlled study was undertaken. One hundred and four patients were enrolled in the study: for seven days 43 received placebo, 29 received 240 mg/day ginkgolide B and 32 received 360 mg/day ginkgolide B. There was no statistical difference between the three groups for changes in Rankin, Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and Hauser ambulation index (AI) scores. Although there was a trend in favour of groups treated with ginkgolide for a change of Rankin and AI scores, it is concluded that ginkgolide B is not an effective treatment of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.