Panax ginseng: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence

This overview is focused on Panax ginseng, one of the most commonly used herbal remedies. The currently available data regarding its clinical efficacy is somewhat confusing, despite the fact that many clinical trials and systematic reviews have been published. The risks of Panax ginseng seem to be only minor. Numerous mechanisms of action have been described. Future studies of this fascinating herbal remedy seem warranted but they should overcome the methodological limitations of the previous research.

[1]  L. Jia,et al.  Current evaluation of the millennium phytomedicine--ginseng (I): etymology, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, market and regulations. , 2009, Current medicinal chemistry.

[2]  Tung‐Kwang Lee,et al.  Radioprotective potential of ginseng. , 2005, Mutagenesis.

[3]  T. Kaptchuk,et al.  Systematic Review of the Effects of Ginseng on Cardiovascular Risk Factors , 2006, The Annals of pharmacotherapy.

[4]  E. Ernst,et al.  Ginseng for cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review. , 2009, Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD.

[5]  Kwang-tae Choi,et al.  Botanical characteristics, pharmacological effects and medicinal components of Korean Panax ginseng C A Meyer , 2008, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica.

[6]  E. Ernst,et al.  A systematic review of herbal medicinal products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms , 2003, Menopause.

[7]  S. Kuhle,et al.  North American (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Preparations for Prevention of the Common Cold in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review , 2011, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM.

[8]  Chieh-fu Chen,et al.  Comparison of the pharmacological effects of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium , 2008, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica.

[9]  Lawrence A Leiter,et al.  A systematic quantitative analysis of the literature of the high variability in ginseng (Panax spp.): should ginseng be trusted in diabetes? , 2004, Diabetes care.

[10]  W. Qing Pyrethroid Pesticide Residues in Medicinal Plants in Guizhou GAP Bases , 2008 .

[11]  David Kiefer,et al.  Panax ginseng , 2009 .

[12]  S. Helms Cancer prevention and therapeutics: Panax ginseng. , 2004, Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic.

[13]  Jiang Li-qiong Investigation and analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in traditional Chinese medicinal , 2006 .

[14]  Khaled Radad,et al.  Use of ginseng in medicine with emphasis on neurodegenerative disorders. , 2006, Journal of pharmacological sciences.

[15]  Shu Liu,et al.  Neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides. , 2006, Acta neurobiologiae experimentalis.

[16]  E. Ernst,et al.  The efficacy of ginseng. A systematic review of randomised clinical trials , 1999, European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

[17]  P. Rohdewald,et al.  French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. , 2004, Diabetes care.

[18]  E. Ernst,et al.  Ginseng for Reducing the Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis , 2010 .

[19]  Jianming Lü,et al.  Ginseng compounds: an update on their molecular mechanisms and medical applications. , 2009, Current vascular pharmacology.

[20]  E. Ernst,et al.  Panax ginseng: a systematic review of adverse effects and drug interactions , 2010 .

[21]  Si-Kwan Kim,et al.  Panax ginseng Improves Senile Testicular Function in Rats , 2010 .

[22]  E. Ernst,et al.  Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. , 2008, British journal of clinical pharmacology.

[23]  Deok-Chun Yang,et al.  Isolation and Characterization of a Type II Peroxiredoxin Gene from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer , 2010 .

[24]  Shiladitya Sengupta,et al.  Modulating Angiogenesis: The Yin and the Yang in Ginseng , 2004, Circulation.

[25]  Yong Cheng,et al.  Anti-amnestic and anti-aging effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 and its mechanism of action , 2005, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica.

[26]  E. Ernst The Risk–Benefit Profile of Commonly Used Herbal Therapies , 2002 .

[27]  Dong Chung Kim,et al.  Production of Hydrolyzed Red Ginseng Residue and Its Application to Lactic Acid Bacteria Cultivation , 2010 .

[28]  J. Sloan,et al.  Pilot study of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding evaluation: NCCTG trial N03CA , 2010, Supportive Care in Cancer.

[29]  A. Lumsden,et al.  Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of ginseng root for cardiovascular disease. , 2004, Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research.

[30]  C. Coleman,et al.  The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life , 2003, The Annals of pharmacotherapy.

[31]  G. Koren,et al.  Safety and efficacy of panax ginseng during pregnancy and lactation. , 2008, The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique.

[32]  L. Jia,et al.  Current evaluation of the millennium phytomedicine- ginseng (II): Collected chemical entities, modern pharmacology, and clinical applications emanated from traditional Chinese medicine. , 2009, Current medicinal chemistry.

[33]  W. Morgan,et al.  Is ginseng an ergogenic aid? , 2009, International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism.

[34]  I. Ahn,et al.  Characteristics of Resistant Lines to High-Temperature Injury in Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) , 2010 .

[35]  J. Prieto,et al.  Protection of Panax ginseng in injured muscles after eccentric exercise. , 2005, Journal of ethnopharmacology.

[36]  Xiumei Gao,et al.  A Comparison of the ancient use of ginseng in traditional Chinese medicine with modern pharmacological experiments and clinical trials , 2008, Phytotherapy research : PTR.

[37]  Lars P Christensen,et al.  Ginsenosides chemistry, biosynthesis, analysis, and potential health effects. , 2009, Advances in food and nutrition research.