Ginkgo biloba (leaf)

Nomenclature

Ginkgo biloba L.   Ginkgoaceae  
Standardized common name (English): ginkgo  
Pinyin name(s): yin xing; bai guo (seed); yin xing ye (leaf)

Botanical Voucher Specimen

Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org	Source: Botanical Voucher Specimen Library, Alkemists Laboratories	Source: Botanical Voucher Specimen Library, Alkemists Laboratories	Source: Botanical Voucher Specimen Library, Alkemists Laboratories

Organoleptic Characteristics

Flavor: Slightly bitter. Aroma: Slight. Source: Steven Yeager, Mountain Rose Herbs

Macroscopic Characteristics

Dark green to yellowish green; Leaves fan-shaped with tapering cuneate base; Center of apex notched and dividing blade into distinct lobes; Petiole long, with upper surface grooved. Leaf surface glabrous without midrib, and has wrinkled appearance. Source: Steven Yeager, Mountain Rose Herbs

Microscopic Characteristics

Stomate of Ginkgo biloba leaf with large thick-walled guard cells viewed under 1000x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate solution. Stomate of Ginkgo biloba leaf has large thick-walled guard cells [and] as well contains large rosettes of Calcium Oxalate crystals. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories	Calcium oxalate crystal, polarized, 200X in glycerin:dionized water solution. Epidermis has irregularly sinuous walls, often with palisade parenchmya, stomata deeply sunken surrounded by 6-8 subsidiary cells, various sizes of calcium oxalate cluster crystals abundant. Source: Amy Brush, Traditional Medicinals http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Identification

Ginkgo biloba HPTLC UV 365 nm Ginkgo (leaf) Ginkgo biloba Lane Assignments Lane 1(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf) (Vouchered Sample); Lane 2(3μl) Sophora japonica (fruit); Lane 3(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf); Lane 4(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf); Lane 5(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf); Lane 6(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf) (USA); Lane 7(3μl) Ginkgo biloba (leaf) (China) authenticated by macroscopic, microscopic &/or TLC studies according to the reference sources cited below held at Alkemists Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, CA.  Stationary Phase Silica gel 60, F254, 10 x 10 cm HPTLC plates  Mobile Phase ethyl acetate: glacial acetic acid: formic acid: water [10/1.1/1.1/2.4]  Sample Preparation Method 0.3 g + 3 ml 100% grain EtOH sonicated + heated @ 50° C ~ 1 hr.  Detection Method Natural Product Reagent + PEG -> UV 365 nm  Reference see British Pharmacopoeia, 2003 Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories

Supplementary Information

Ginkgo (leaf extract) (Ginkgo biloba) standardized to flavonol glycosides and terpenes. 

General Characteristics AHPA recommends in its Known Adulterants list that appropriate steps be taken to assure that this raw material is free of the noted adulterant. Contact AHPA for additional information regarding relevant analytical methods or follow this link for more information. 

Reported Adulterants Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf extract with added flavonol glycosides or aglycones (e.g., rutin, quercetin, etc.).

Source: AHPA Known Adulterants