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Efficacy and Tolerability of Ginkgo Biloba Extract in Patients With Raynaud´s Phenomenon

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Raynaud Disease
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT00251238
Lead Sponsor
VSM Geneesmiddelen b.v.
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of EGb 761® in patients with the primary Raynaud phenomenon, with regards to the frequency, duration and severity of vasospastic attacks.

Detailed Description

Despite more than 150 years of research into the pathophysiology of Raynaud´s phenomenon it is still not understood sufficiently. Three mean mechanisms responsible for Raynaud´s phenomenon are discussed and fall into the following three categories:

* neurological malfunction

* pathological blood vessel wall and blood cell interactions

* inflammatory and immunological responses Based on these concepts different classes of drugs have been tested. Although some therapies have shown effects, prolongation of the therapy is often difficult due to side-effects.

Considering a prevalence of 5-10% in the general population, there is still a place and probably a need for the development of new treatment concepts. Ginkgo biloba has shown to have anti-oxidative and anti-platelet activities. In a small placebo controlled trial in patients with the Raynaud´s phenomenon promising results for the Ginkgo biloba extract were shown. EGb 761® is known to be safe and well tolerated. Based on the above considerations, EGb 761® may be an effective treatment for Raynaud´s phenomenon.

Aim: To determine the efficacy and safety of EGb 761® in patients with Raynaud´s phenomenon on the frequency, duration, and severity of vasospastic attacks compared to placebo.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
41
Inclusion Criteria
  • Primary Raynaud´s phenomenon
  • History of episodic digital or toe pallor
  • Duration of Raynaud´s phenomenon at least 2 years
  • Suffering form regular occuring attacks prior to enrolment
Exclusion Criteria
  • Secondary Raynaud´s phenomenon
  • Connective tissue disease
  • Large vessel disease
  • Cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinins disease, thrombocytosis
  • Concomitant pharmacological treatment with effects on the vasculature
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Severe internal or systemic disease

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761Receiving daily Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761
PlaceboGinkgo biloba extract EGb 761Receiving daily placebo
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Frequency of Vasospastic AttacksNumber of Vasospastic Attacks per day, for up to 10 weeks
Change From Baseline in Severity of Vasospastic AttacksBaseline and 10 weeks

Severity of the complains due to Vasospastic Attacks was measured using a 10-steps likert scale.

The scale ranged between 0 and 10, with higher scores indicating more severe attacks.

Duration of Vasospastic Attacksminutes per day
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UMC ST Radboud

🇳🇱

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

UMC ST Radboud
🇳🇱Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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