Bioavailability of ginkgolides and bilobalide from extracts of ginkgo biloba using GC/MS.

The bioavailability of ginkgolides A, B and bilobalide was studied in rats after single oral administration of 30, 55 and 100 mg/kg Ginkgo extract EGb 761. The plasma levels of the terpene lactones were measured by a specific GC/MS method. The pharmacokinetics of the mentioned substances were found to be dose-linear. For the lowest dose maximum concentrations were 68, 40 and 159 ng/ml and half-lives 1.7, 2.0 and 2.2 h for ginkgolide A, B and bilobalide, respectively. Clearance values ranged from 24.2 to 37.6 ml/min/kg.