Ginkgolic acids / BAX Cancer Research Results

Ginkgolic acids (GAs) are a group of naturally occurring 2-hydroxy-6-alkylsalicylic acids found in Ginkgo biloba leaves, seeds and especially the seed coat. Major congeners include ginkgolic acid C13:0, C15:1 and C17:1. Ginkgolic acids have demonstrated antimicrobial, antiviral, autophagy-modulating and anticancer activities in preclinical studies. In cancer models, GAs can suppress proliferation, migration and invasion and promote apoptosis through mechanisms including inhibition of SUMOylation, STAT3 signalling, Hsp90 activity and other oncogenic pathways. Individual congeners can differ substantially in potency and biological activity, so specific forms such as C15:1 or C17:1 should be recorded separately when identified. Ginkgolic acids are kept separate from standardized Ginkgo biloba extracts because they are considered potentially toxic constituents and are deliberately reduced to very low concentrations in purified medicinal ginkgo preparations. Current anticancer evidence is predominantly preclinical.