Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

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#administration-oral #female #forced-expiratory-volume #humans #male

Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

An et al., 2011 | Respir Med | Systematic Review

Citation

An Xuedong, Zhang Anthony Lin, ... Xue Charlie Changli. Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review. Respir Med. 2011-Feb;105(2):165-76. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2010.11.007

Abstract

Ginseng alone or combined with other herbs has been increasingly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral Ginseng formulae for stable COPD. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane risk of bias and Jadad's scale. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.0. Twelve studies overall of low quality, involving 1560 participants were included. Results of three studies showed a mean difference (MD) of 0.30 (95%CI 0.02 to 0.58) for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) improvement of Ginseng formulae versus placebo control. Findings of three studies revealed an MD of 9.43 (95%CI 3.64 to 15.21) of FEV(1) % predicted between Ginseng formulae and placebo control. Quality of life (Qol) measured by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire was improved (MD -10.32, 95%CI -14.99 to -5.65) with Ginseng formulae plus pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy alone in one study. There were no severe adverse events reported. Ginseng formulae for stable COPD patients show promising evidence of lung functions and Qol improvement. However, the degree of benefit is uncertain due to potential risk of bias of the included studies.

Key Findings

However, the degree of benefit is uncertain due to potential risk of bias of the included studies.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1560
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Panax
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Preparations
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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