Accumulated evidence indicate that Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) acts as an antioxidant and scavenger of free radicals as well as influencing apoptotis. Earlier studies have employed the inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce severe sepsis. In the present study, we examined whether the intraperitoneal injection of EGb 761 increases the survival rate of mice in the LPS-induced severe sepsis model. The survival rate was significantly increased by 30% in mice administered with 100 mg/kg of EGb 761 but not in mice administered with 50 mg/kg EGb 761. In addition, pre-treatment with EGb 761 increased the survival rate (30%) but post-treatment with EGb 761 did not. These results suggest that EGb 761 may have clinical potential in preventing sepsis induced mortality.