Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #aged-80-and-over #alzheimer-disease #cognition #cognition-disorders

Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease

Lee et al., 2008 | Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord | Rct

Citation

Lee Soon-Tae, Chu Kon, ... Kim Manho. Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2008;22(3):222-6. doi:10.1097/WAD.0b013e31816c92e6

Abstract

Recent experimental evidences suggest protective and trophic effects of ginseng in the memory function of Alzheimer disease (AD). Thus, we investigated the clinical efficacy of Panax ginseng in the cognitive performance of AD patients in an open-label study. Consecutive AD patients were randomly assigned to the ginseng (n=58) or the control group (n=39), and the ginseng group was treated with Panax ginseng powder (4.5 g/d) for 12 weeks. Cognitive performances were monitored using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer disease assessment scale (ADAS) during 12 weeks of the ginseng treatment and at 12 weeks after the ginseng discontinuation. MMSE and ADAS scales showed no baseline difference between the groups. After ginseng treatment, the cognitive subscale of ADAS and the MMSE score began to show improvements and continued up to 12 weeks (P=0.029 and P=0.009 vs. baseline, respectively). After discontinuing ginseng, the improved ADAS and MMSE scores declined to the levels of the control group. These results suggest that Panax ginseng is clinically effective in the cognitive performance of AD patients.

Key Findings

These results suggest that Panax ginseng is clinically effective in the cognitive performance of AD patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 58
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Cognition
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Panax
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: ginseng-energy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09