Ginkgolide B belongs to the class of organic compounds known as ginkgolides and bilobalides. These are diterpene lactones with a structure based either on the gingkolide or the bilobalide skeleton. The ginkgolide skeleton is a very rigid structure consisting of hexacyclic C20 trilactone. The cis-fused F/A/D/C ring junction forms an empty semi-ball hole, the D ring contains a cage form tetrahydrofuran ring which occupies the center of the empty hole, and the oxygen atoms of the D,C and F ring and 10-hydroxyl group consist of an analogous crown ether structure. Ginkgolide B is one of the ginkgolides isolated from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree. The Ginkgolide B is the most potent antagonist of platelet activating factor (PAF) and exhibits therapeutic action in a variety of diseases mainly by the PAF receptor. The ginkgolide B possesses a number of beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. It promotes the proliferation, migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells, and the induction of angiogenesis through vascular endothelial factor (VEGF). Ginkgolide B is considered a valid non-pharmacological (or nutraceutical) approach to the prophylaxis of both migraine with and without aura. Effects of ginkgolide B include reduction of Ca2+-stimulated intracellular events, scavenging of free radicals, modulation of central nervous system glutamatergic transmission and reduction of antiplatelet activating factor (PAF) levels in brain. Ginkgolide B is an active component of EGb, a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves. Ginkgolide B is one of the major components of EGb-761.