Vitiligo and ginkgo biloba

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. It is a result of a decrease in melanin production typically due to a tissue-specific autoimmune process. The patches may grow or remain constant in size. Patches often occur symmetrically across both sides on the body. Occasional small areas may re-pigment as they are recolonised by melanocytes.

The epidermis of people with vitiligo appears to have lower catalase activity (breaks down hydrogen peroxide) and higher levels of peroxides and oxidative stress.

The location of vitiligo-affected skin changes over time, with some patches re-pigmenting and others becoming affected. In some cases, mild trauma to an area of skin seems to cause new patches. Vitiligo on the scalp may sometimes affect the colour of the hair, leaving white patches or streaks. It will similarly affect whiskers and body hair.

Treatment often includes UVB light therapy, normally 2–3 times per week for several months. Other less invasive treatments include vitamin D and specific species of probiotics aimed at auto-immune conditions (L.paracasei and L.rhamnosus LGG).

Folate and B12 have also shown to be helpful to prevent abnormal DNA replication and sometimes anti-inflammatory will be used where there is chronic inflammation.

Exposure to sunlight and acupuncture have also some excellent results. Our delightful herb Ginkgo biloba has anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties, and researchers in India hypothesised that an oral dried ginkgo extract may be beneficial in treating those with vitiligo.

Fifty-two people were randomly assigned to either receive 40mg of ginkgo three times per day (9.3mg ginkgoflavonglycosides) or placebo for six months. The progression of the disease was arrested in 20 of the patients in the active group and in eight of the placebo group.

The greatest response was in those with acrofacial vitiligo (face, hands and feet), as six patients receiving ginkgo showed full regimentation, while none in the placebo group responded.

The authors of this study concluded that ginkgo is a safe and effective treatment for slowly spreading vitiligo and may be combined with other treatments for potentially faster regimentation.