Effects of ginseng on C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #c-reactive-protein #clinical-trials-as-topic #complementary-therapies #dietary-supplements

Effects of ginseng on C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Saboori et al., 2019 | Complement Ther Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Saboori Somayeh, Falahi Ebrahim, ... Khosroshahi Mohammad Zeinali. Effects of ginseng on C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019-Aug;45:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.021

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP/hs-CRP levels in clinical trial studies. DESIGN: A systematic literature search was carried out for clinical trials published in ISI web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from the beginning to 16th February 2018. Of 83 articles found in the first step of the systematic search, seven studies with nine arms included in this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Results of pooled random-effect size analysis of nine trials showed non-significant decreasing effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP level (WMD: -0.1 mg/l, 95% CI, -0.26, 0.1; P = 0.27) with significant heterogeneity shown within the studies. The subgroup analysis showed that ginseng supplementation could significantly reduce CRP level by 0.51 (95% CI: -0.68, -0.34; P < 0001, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.44, I2 = 0.0%) in patients with a baseline serum CRP level of greater than 3 mg/dl. Trial duration and dose of ginseng supplementation included no significant effects on CRP level in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Results of the current meta-analysis study have shown that ginseng supplementation can decrease significantly serum CRP/hsCRP levels in patients with elevated serum level of this inflammatory marker.

Key Findings

Results of pooled random-effect size analysis of nine trials showed non-significant decreasing effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP level (WMD: -0.1 mg/l, 95% CI, -0.26, 0.1; P = 0.27) with significant heterogeneity shown within the studies. The subgroup analysis showed that ginseng supplementation could significantly reduce CRP level by 0.51 (95% CI: -0.68, -0.34; P < 0001, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.44, I2 = 0.0%) in patients with a baseline serum CRP level of greater than 3 mg/dl. Tri

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein
  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population a baseline serum crp
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Panax
  • Plant Extracts

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