Ginseng for cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review

Lee et al., 2009 | J Alzheimers Dis | Systematic Review

Citation

Lee Myeong Soo, Yang Eun Jin, ... Ernst Edzard. Ginseng for cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review. J Alzheimers Dis. 2009;18(2):339-44. doi:10.3233/JAD-2009-1149

Abstract

The objective of this review is to assess the clinical evidence for or against ginseng as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We searched 20 databases from their inception to January 2009 and included all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of any type of Panax ginseng to treat human patients suffering from AD. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad score. Two RCTs met all inclusion criteria. They assessed the effectiveness of ginseng as an adjunct to drug therapy on cognitive function compared with conventional drug therapy. Their results suggested significant effect in favor of ginseng on the Mini-Mental Status Examination (n = 174, weight mean difference (WMD), 1.85; 95% confidence intervals, CIs 0.88 to 2.82, P = 0.0002) and on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS)-cognitive (n = 174, WMD, 3.09; 95% CIs 1.08 to 5.09, P = 0.003). Both of these studies are burdened with serious methodological limitations. In conclusion, the evidence for ginseng as a treatment of AD is scarce and inconclusive. Further rigorous trials seem warranted.

Key Findings

Further rigorous trials seem warranted.

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Alzheimer Disease
• Animals
• Cognition Disorders
• Humans
• Panax
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

• Level: Systematic Review
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
• Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

• PMID: 19584437
• DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1149
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

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