Efficacy of Panax ginseng supplementation on blood lipid profile. A meta-analysis and systematic review of clinical randomized trials

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#dietary-supplements #humans #lipids #panax #phytotherapy

Efficacy of Panax ginseng supplementation on blood lipid profile. A meta-analysis and systematic review of clinical randomized trials

Hernández-García et al., 2019 | J Ethnopharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hernández-García Didier, Granado-Serrano Ana Belén, ... Serrano Jose Ce. Efficacy of Panax ginseng supplementation on blood lipid profile. A meta-analysis and systematic review of clinical randomized trials. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019-Oct-28;243:112090. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112090

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginseng is a widely used ingredient in several traditional Chinese medicine formulation, mainly as a prophylactic and restorative agent. Ginseng's Chinese traditional formulations have shown protective effects against atherosclerosis, suggesting that ginseng may be useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate whether the supplementation with Panax ginseng (PG) has an effect on blood lipid profile in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis and a systematic review were conducted to evaluate the effects of PG on blood lipid profile. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, from which 10 studies were performed in volunteers with at least one component of metabolic syndrome, 3 in postmenopausal women, 2 in healthy volunteers and 3 with other types of inclusion criteria. The doses employed ranged from 0.2 to 20 g/day (median 3 g/day, 95% CI 1.7, 5.8), while the treatment time ranged from 2 to 12 weeks (median 8 weeks, 95% CI 6, 9). Few studies reported the composition of the PG extract employed. The main ginsenosides reported were Rb1 and Rg1 (content ranging from Rb1 0.023-6.44 mg/g and Rg1 0.028-3.21 mg/g). Significant modification in blood profile was described in 7 studies, in which 5 studies observed a reduction in total cholesterol, 4 in LDL-cholesterol, and 2 in triacylglycerides. The meta-analysis of 10 studies in volunteers with parameters related with metabolic syndrome describes that PG may induce a mean difference compared to a placebo of -2.30 (95% CI -3.79,-0.80) and -1.47 (95% CI -1.90,-1.05) mg/dL per g/day of PG in the levels of total and LDL-cholesterol, with no significant effects in HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: PG extract may induce an improvement in blood lipid profile mainly by a reduction in total and LDL-cholesterol levels.

Key Findings

A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, from which 10 studies were performed in volunteers with at least one component of metabolic syndrome, 3 in postmenopausal women, 2 in healthy volunteers and 3 with other types of inclusion criteria. The doses employed ranged from 0.2 to 20 g/day (median 3 g/day, 95% CI 1.7, 5.8), while the treatment time ranged from 2 to 12 weeks (median 8 weeks, 95% CI 6, 9). Few studies reported the composition of the PG extract employed. The main ginsenosides

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population postmenopausal women
Sample Size 18
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Panax
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

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