The Efficacy of Panax ginseng for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies

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#animals #non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease #panax #triglycerides #lipoproteins-hdl

The Efficacy of Panax ginseng for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies

Yang et al., 2023 | Nutrients | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yang Keungmo, Kim Hee-Hoon, ... Song Myeong Jun. The Efficacy of Panax ginseng for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies. Nutrients. 2023-Jan-31;15(3). doi:10.3390/nu15030721

Abstract

Although tremendous research has reported the protective effects of natural compounds in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is still no approved drug. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Panax ginseng in NAFLD in preclinical studies. A total of 41 studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The methodological quality was assessed by the risk of bias tool from the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval was calculated, and the random effects model was used to examine overall efficacy or heterogeneity. The publication bias was analyzed by Egger's test. The results showed that Panax ginseng treatment significantly reduced the systemic levels of alanine aminotransferase (SMD: -2.15 IU/L; p < 0.0001), aspartate aminotransferase (SMD: -2.86 IU/L; p < 0.0001), triglyceride (SMD: -2.86 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), total cholesterol (SMD: -1.69 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (SMD: -1.46 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), and fasting glucose (SMD: -1.45 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) while increasing high-density lipoprotein (SMD: 1.22 mg/dL; p = 0.0002) in NAFLD regardless of animal models or species. These findings may suggest that Panax ginseng is a promising therapeutic agent for NAFLD treatment.

Key Findings

These findings may suggest that Panax ginseng is a promising therapeutic agent for NAFLD treatment.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 41
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Panax
  • Triglycerides
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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