Healing Herbs: Gingko Biloba and Doxorubicin

Chemotherapy with doxorubicin is a common and effective part of treatment for breast cancer, but it comes with a known risk: damage to the heart. While this side effect doesn’t affect everyone, it can limit how much of the drug a patient can safely receive. Finding ways to protect the heart during treatment has become an important area of cancer care.

Ginkgo biloba, a traditional herbal remedy known for its antioxidant and circulatory benefits, may offer meaningful protection. In a clinical trial conducted in China, breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin were given either Ginkgo biloba extract or no additional treatment. Those who received Ginkgo showed fewer signs of heart stress on lab tests and heart function assessments—suggesting that this herbal extract can help buffer the cardiovascular impact of chemotherapy.

Importantly, Ginkgo did not interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Safety data is also reassuring: a separate study in healthy volunteers found that Ginkgo biloba does not significantly affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are responsible for metabolizing many medications. This makes drug interactions less likely. Ginkgo has also been shown to be safe alongside common hormone therapies like tamoxifen, anastrozole, and letrozole, with no harmful interactions reported.

Taken together, the evidence supports Ginkgo biloba as a safe and effective complement to chemotherapy for breast cancer patients—particularly those concerned about protecting their heart during treatment.

 

Yi S-Y, Nan K-J, Chen S-J. [Effect of extract of Ginkgo biloba on doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer]. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese J Integr Tradit West Med. 2008;28(1):68-70.

Markowitz JS, Donovan JL, Lindsay DeVane C, Sipkes L, Chavin KD. Multiple-Dose Administration of Ginkgo biloba Did Not Affect Cytochrome P-450 2D6 or 3A4 Activity in Normal Volunteers. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003;23(6):576-581.

Vardy J, Dhillon HM, Clarke SJ, et al. Investigation of herb-drug interactions with ginkgo biloba in women receiving hormonal treatment for early breast cancer. Springerplus. 2013;2(1):126.

 

By Dr. Sydney Moffat, ND and Dr. Gurdev Parmar, ND, FABNO(USA)