Ginseng and health outcomes: an umbrella review

Abstract

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.

Puerarin—A Promising Flavonoid: Biosynthesis, Extraction Methods, Analytical Techniques, and Biological Effects

“…Plant-derived natural preparations have become a valuable resource for the development of new drugs. Bioactive molecules from Chinese herbal medicines (e.g., ginseng, astragalus, Ginkgo biloba) have been discovered to have 'life-nourishing' properties, and their role in health is being more and more recognized [91][92][93].…”

Ginseng supplementation and cardiovascular disease risk factors: a protocol for GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

“…The findings of the study demonstrated that supplementation with P. ginseng may potentially function as an adjunctive measure in the prevention of metabolic disorders through its ability to enhance indicators associated with blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids. 21 An umbrella review conducted in 2023 22 focused on the relationship between ginseng consumption and various health outcomes. However, this study had certain limitations, primarily originating from its reliance on a descriptive and narrative approach.…”

Pharmacokinetic Profiling of Ginsenosides, Rb1, Rd, and Rg3, in Mice with Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiota Alterations: Implications for Variability in the Therapeutic Efficacy of Red Ginseng Extracts

“…Red ginseng, obtained from the root of Panax ginseng Meyer through the process of steaming and drying, is widely available as a functional food in Asian countries [1][2][3]. Ginseng has been popularly used to promote longevity and health for over 2000 years in Asian cultures [4]. In addition to ancient texts suggesting that the long-term consumption of ginseng may help extend life, a recent study analyzed the correlation between ginseng consumption and cause-specific mortality, identifying a significant association with reduced all-cause mortality [5,6].…”