Objective To investigate the role of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) in Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) to alleviate neuropathic pain. Methods A total of 90 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=18): a sham operation group (group Sham), chronic constriction injury group (group CCI), EGb 50 mg/kg+CCI group (group EGb50), EGb 100 mg/kg+CCI group (group EGb100) and a solvent control+CCI group (group SC). Rats in group CCI were subjected to ligation of the left sciatic nerve, while those in group Sham underwent nerve separation without ligation. Other groups were intraperitoneally injected with EGb761 or solvent from day 3 after successful modeling to 14 d after surgery. Paw withdraw thermal latency (PTWL) and paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) were measured 2 d before and 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 d and 14 d after surgery. Then, the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion were collected on 14 d after surgery. The levels of p-JNK in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal dorsal horn were determined by immunochemistry and Western blot. Results Compared with group Sham, groups CCI and SC showed remarkable decreases in PMWT and PTWL at each time points (P<0.05), and marked increases in the positive rate and levels of p-JNK in the dorsal root ganglion 14 d after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with group CCI, groups EGb50 and EGb100 showed remarkable increases in PMWT and PTWL 7, 10 d and 14 d after surgery (P<0.05), and marked decreases in the positive rate and levels of p-JNK (P<0.05). Compared with group EGb50, group EGb100 showed remarkable increases in PMWT and PTWL 10 d and 14 d after surgery (P<0.05), and presented substantial decreases in the positive rate and levels of p-JNK in the dorsal root ganglion 14 d after surgery (P<0.05). Conclusions EGb761 may ameliorate neuropathic pain of rats with CCI through inhibiting the expression of p-JNK in the dorsal root ganglia. Key words: Neuropathic pain; Ginkgo biloba extract; Phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase