Ginseng and health outcomes: an umbrella review.

2023-07-03
Frontiers in pharmacology 14
- Zhongyu Li
- Yang Wang
- Qing Xu
- Jinxin Ma
- Xuan Li
- Yibing Tian
- Yandong Wen
- Ting Chen

PubMed: 37465522
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1069268

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, CNKI and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to 31 July 2022. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) systems were used to assess the methodological quality and quality of evidence in each meta-analysis, and the results were summarized in a narrative form.

Background: Ginseng consumption has been associated with various health outcomes. However, there are no review articles summarizing these reports. Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, CNKI and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to 31 July 2022. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) systems were used to assess the methodological quality and quality of evidence in each meta-analysis, and the results were summarized in a narrative form. Results: Nineteen meta-analyses that met the eligibility criteria were identified from among 1,233 papers. The overall methodological quality was relatively poor, with only five studies being low-quality, and 14 critically low-quality. When compared with control treatments (mainly placebo), ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases. Adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms and potential bleeding; however, no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This umbrella review suggests that ginseng intake has beneficial therapeutic effects for diverse diseases. However, the methodological quality of studies needs to be improved considerably. In addition, it is imperative to establish the clinical efficacy of ginseng through high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Research Insights

Ginseng→Improved Metabolic Indicator
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Improved Physical Function
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Improved Respiratory Disease
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Improved Sexual Function
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Reduced Fatigue
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Reduced Inflammatory Biomarker Level
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Reduced Menopausal Symptoms
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Ginseng→Reduced Unstable Angina
ginseng was beneficial for improving fatigue and physical function, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, metabolic indicators, inflammatory markers, unstable angina and respiratory diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate

Adverse Events Reported

Ginseng→bleeding
Adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms and potential bleeding
Finding
Reported
Ginseng→gastrointestinal symptoms
Adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms and potential bleeding
Finding
Reported
Ginseng→serious adverse events
no serious adverse events were reported
Finding
Reported