Studies in mice suggest the popular herbal remedy Gingko biloba might help fight human brain and breast tumors. Mice treated with an extract of Gingko biloba leaves both before and after being implanted with human breast or brain tumors had decreased expression of a cell receptor — peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) — associated with invasive cancer, say researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center, in Washington, D.C.
Gingko Biloba May Help Fight Cancer
“It is very encouraging that Gingko biloba appeared to reduce the aggressiveness of these cancers, because it suggests that the leaves could be useful in some early-stage diseases to prevent them from becoming invasive, or spreading,” study senior author Vassilios Papadopoulos, director of the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization and associate vice president of Georgetown University Medical Center, said in a prepared statement.