Animal study shows ginkgo biloba can reduce steroid-induced IOP elevation

To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension, researchers treated rabbits with either topical Tobra-DEX (Tobramycin and Dexamethasone) or 5 μg of ginkgo biloba extract, or both, four times daily for 14 days.

Ginkgo showed potential to suppress DEX-induced IOP elevation, and an antiapoptotic effect to maintain the trabecular meshwork cell population. And in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells, ginkgo substantially attenuated anti-Fas ligand-induced apoptosis and reduced DEX-induced myocilin expression. They noted that similar effects could be obtained either by priming cells before DEX or rescuing DEX-treated cells.

It is fascinating that topical Ginkgo can block IOP rise induced by dexamethasone. This might be very helpful in the future for cataract surgery and other therapeutic scenarios.