Highly variable proanthocyanidin contents in herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts from the European market

In the last years a new analytical method for quantification of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract by HPLC has been published [ 1 ]. This method has recently been applied to the quantification of PACs in finished herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo biloba leaf extract from the German market [ 2 ]. As significant differences were found, a new study was initiated that extended the analytical comparison of PAC content to herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo biloba leaf extract from additional European countries. The results obtained so far indicate up to 10-fold differences in PAC content between finished medicinal products available in European countries with a range of approximately 0.5% to 5% in the Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. The highest contents were found in herbal medicinal products containing the Ginkgo extract EGb 761. This is relevant, as interest in PACs is currently increasing due to a variety of reported pharmacological activities. PACs are coming more and more into focus as a quality parameter for herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany