Research

Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

22 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

3
Meta-analyses
3
Systematic reviews
9
RCTs
7
Other studies
Meta-analyses (14%)
Systematic reviews (14%)
RCTs (41%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2023·Indonesian Andrology and Biomedical Journal·Rayi Megasari Putri, Aucky Hinting, Primasitha Maharani Harsoyo, et al

Systematic Review of The Efficacy of Korean Ginseng in Men with Erectile Dysfunction

Systematic reviewn = 454Sexual Health

Systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of Korean ginseng in managing erectile dysfunction. Four RCTs involving 454 male patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction showed that Korean ginseng significantly improved International Index of Erectile Function scores compared to placebo.

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2023·Medicine·Xianbing Hou, Dandan Chen, Yao Wang, et al

Network analysis to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Shenmai injection in treating granulocytopenia and evidence-based medicine approach validation.

Meta-analysis

The study uses a network pharmacology approach to investigate the active ingredients and potential therapeutic targets of Shenmai injection in treating granulocytopenia. It identifies key components such as ophiopogonoside a and ginsenosides, and targets proteins like STAT3 and TLR4. Meta-analysis indicates Shenmai injection improves efficiency and leukocyte count in granulocytopenia treatment.

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2020·Nutrients·Dong-Kyu Lee, Seongoh Park, Nguyen Phuoc Long, et al

Research Quality-Based Multivariate Modeling for Comparison of the Pharmacological Effects of Black and Red Ginseng.

Systematic reviewImmunity Energy Mood Physique Heart Health Inflammation

Systematic review comparing the pharmacological effects of black and red ginseng using multivariate modeling. Black ginseng showed antioxidant effects comparable to red ginseng but was inferior in enhancing immunity, relieving fatigue, alleviating depression/anxiety, decreasing body fat, and reducing blood pressure.

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2008·British journal of clinical pharmacology·Dai-Ja Jang, Myeong Soo Lee, Byung-Cheul Shin, et al

Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.

Meta-analysisn = 349Sexual Health

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction. Seven RCTs were included, showing a significant effect of red ginseng compared to placebo, particularly in psychogenic erectile dysfunction. However, the methodological quality of the studies was low, and more rigorous research is needed.

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2024·Medicine·Yoonseon Jeong, Seung Ho Lee, Sung Lye Shim, et al

Efficacy and safety of red ginseng extract powder (KGC05pg) in achieving glycemic control in prediabetic Korean adults: A 12-week, single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 98Nutrition

This 12-week RCT assessed the efficacy and safety of Red Ginseng Extract Powder (RGEP) in achieving glycemic control in prediabetic Korean adults. Significant improvements were observed in fasting blood glucose, Hb1Ac levels, and insulin resistance parameters in the RGEP group compared to placebo. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

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2024·Journal of medicinal food·Ziyuan Wang, Zhipeng Zhang, Nisma Lena Bahaji Azami, et al

An Integrated Approach Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Reveal the Therapeutic Mechanism of Weifuchun in Treating Gastric Cancer.

RCTInflammation

RCT comparing adjuvant chemotherapy plus Weifuchun (WFC) to chemotherapy alone in postoperative stages II and III gastric cancer patients over 6 months. The combined therapy significantly reduced 2-year recurrence and metastasis rates. WFC's antitumor effects involve AMPK-dependent ERK1/2 and NFKB pathways, regulating proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.

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2021·Foods·Sunmi Park, Chan-Joong Kim, Ki-Chan Ha, et al

Efficacy and Safety of Aronia, Red Ginseng, Shiitake Mushroom, and Nattokinase Mixture on Insulin Resistance in Prediabetic Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

RCTn = 80Nutrition Inflammation

RCT of 80 prediabetic adults comparing an AGM mixture (Aronia, red ginseng, shiitake mushroom, nattokinase) to placebo for 12 weeks. The AGM group showed improved insulin sensitivity, reduced HOMA-IR index, and lower liver damage and inflammation markers compared to placebo.

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2021·Pharmaceuticals·W. Dimpfel, P. Mariage, A. Panossian

Effects of Red and White Ginseng Preparations on Electrical Activity of the Brain in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Three-Armed Cross-Over Study

RCTBrain Health Mood

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-armed cross-over study compared the effects of hydroponically cultivated red ginseng (HRG80®) and wild growing white ginseng on the electrical activity of the brain in elderly subjects. Both ginseng preparations significantly affected brain activity, with HRG80® showing improvements in mood and calming effects through modulation of EEG spectral powers.

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2018·Planta medica·Dao Ngoc Hien Tam, Duy Hieu Truong, Thi Thanh Hoa Nguyen, et al

Ginsenoside Rh1: A Systematic Review of Its Pharmacological Properties.

Systematic reviewInflammation Immunity Brain Health

Systematic review of 57 studies on the pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Rh1, a compound from red ginseng. Ginsenoside Rh1 showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory effects, and positive effects on the nervous system. Cytotoxic effects varied by cell line, and other effects like estrogenic and cardiovascular were noted but inconsistent.

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2011·Chinese journal of integrative medicine·Sina Kim, Byung-Cheul Shin, Myeong Soo Lee, et al

Red ginseng for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Meta-analysisn = 76Nutrition -

Systematic review and meta-analysis of four RCTs evaluating red ginseng for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The meta-analysis did not favor red ginseng over placebo for fasting plasma glucose or fasting plasma insulin. The evidence for red ginseng's effectiveness in controlling glucose in type 2 DM is not convincing.

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2010·Journal of medicinal food·Taik-Koo Yun, Shu Zheng, Soo-Yong Choi, et al

Non-organ-specific preventive effect of long-term administration of Korean red ginseng extract on incidence of human cancers.

RCTn = 643Longevity

RCT on 643 chronic atrophic gastritis patients evaluating the effects of red ginseng extract on cancer incidence. Red ginseng group showed a non-significant reduction in cancer risk overall, but a significant reduction in cancer risk among males.

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2025·Pancreas·Tomohisa Otsu, Hideki Takami, Suguru Yamada, et al

Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Supportive Effect of Koujin (TJ-3020) Powder in Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel-Treated Unresectable or Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer.

RCTn = 40Energy -

Phase II RCT evaluating the effect of red ginseng powder (Koujin, TJ-3020) on fatigue in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel therapy. Red ginseng did not significantly reduce fatigue or malaise compared to the control group.

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2016·Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension·Tae Woong Cha, Minjoo Kim, Minkyung Kim, et al

Blood pressure-lowering effect of Korean red ginseng associated with decreased circulating Lp-PLA2 activity and lysophosphatidylcholines and increased dihydrobiopterin level in prehypertensive subjects.

RCTn = 62Heart Health

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of red ginseng on blood pressure and plasma metabolome in prehypertensive subjects. Participants consuming red ginseng showed significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as changes in metabolome profiles, compared to placebo.

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2021·Pharmaceuticals·J. Teitelbaum, Sarah Goudie

An Open-Label, Pilot Trial of HRG80™ Red Ginseng in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Post-Viral Fatigue

Studyn = 188Energy Mental Clarity Sleep Physical Performance

Open-label prospective study of HRG80 red ginseng root powder in 188 participants with severe CFS/FMS. The study found significant improvements in energy, mental clarity, sleep, and stamina, with 60.1% of participants rating themselves as improved.

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2018·Phytotherapy research : PTR·Joon Hyuk Hou, Hyunjung Shin, Kyoung Hwa Jang, et al

Anti-acne properties of hydrophobic fraction of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and its active components.

RCTn = 20Skin Hair Health

The study investigated the antimicrobial effects of the hydrophobic fraction of red ginseng ethanol extract (RGEF) against Propionibacterium acnes. RGEF showed equal or better antimicrobial activity compared to benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid. In a trial with 20 acne patients, cream containing RGEF reduced oxidized sebum and redness, improving acne symptoms.

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2017·Nutrients·H. Kim, Mi-kyung Kim, Maria Lee, et al

Effect of Red Ginseng on Genotoxicity and Health-Related Quality of Life after Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

RCTn = 30Womens Health Inflammation Mood Energy

RCT of 30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer comparing red ginseng to placebo for three months. Red ginseng reduced genotoxicity and improved health-related quality of life, including emotional functioning and symptoms of fatigue, nausea, and anxiety, but had no effect on survival.

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2024·Molecules·Junyi Li, Min Lin, Zexin Xie, et al

Target Cell Extraction and Spectrum–Effect Relationship Coupled with BP Neural Network Classification for Screening Potential Bioactive Components in Ginseng Extract with a Protective Effect against Myocardial Damage

In vitroHeart Health

The study used spectrum–effect relationship and BP neural network classification to screen potential bioactive components in red ginseng extract (RGE) for myocardial damage protection. RGE improved cell viability and ATP content, reduced oxidative damage in OGD-induced H9c2 cells, and identified seven active ginsenosides with confirmed cardiovascular activity.

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2024·Drug Design, Development and Therapy·Bong-Jo Kim, S. Bak, Su-Jin Bae, et al

Protective Effects of Red Ginseng Against Tacrine-Induced Hepatotoxicity: An Integrated Approach with Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

In vitro

The study investigates the protective effects of red ginseng against tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity, focusing on oxidative stress. In vitro experiments showed that red ginseng mitigated tacrine-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage, while activating the LKB1-mediated AMPK pathway and Hippo-Yap signaling. In mice, red ginseng also protected against liver injury induced by tacrine, showing similar protective effects to silymarin.

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2020·Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine·Y. Yoon, S. Seong

Effects Of Korean Red Ginseng On The Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics Of Metformin In Healthy Subjects

Studyn = 11

The study evaluated the effects of Korean red ginseng on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of metformin in healthy subjects. It found that while the systemic exposure of metformin was reduced when combined with red ginseng, the reduction was clinically insignificant, and there were no significant pharmacodynamic interactions.

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2020·Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition·Youn Ah Kim, J. Jo, P. Cho, et al

Characterization of red ginseng-drug interaction by CYP3A activity increased in high dose administration in mice.

Animal study

The study investigated the interaction between Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract and cytochrome P450 (CYP) substrates in mice. High doses of KRG extract increased CYP3A activity and decreased CYP2D activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, indicating potential herb-drug interactions at subchronic-high doses.

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2019·Molecules·Sojeong Jin, Ji-Hyeon Jeon, Sowon Lee, et al

Detection of 13 Ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg3, Rh2, F1, Compound K, 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol, and 20(S)-Protopanaxatriol) in Human Plasma and Application of the Analytical Method to Human Pharmacokinetic Studies Following Two Week-Repeated Administration of Red Ginseng Extract

Study

The study developed a method for detecting 13 ginsenosides in human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and applied it to pharmacokinetic studies following repeated oral administration of red ginseng extract. Nine ginsenosides were detected in plasma, with some formed through human metabolism.

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2019·Pharmaceutics·Sojeong Jin, Sowon Lee, Ji-Hyeon Jeon, et al

Enhanced Intestinal Permeability and Plasma Concentration of Metformin in Rats by the Repeated Administration of Red Ginseng Extract

Animal study

The study assessed herb-drug interactions between Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) and metformin in rats. Repeated administration of RGE increased intestinal permeability and plasma concentration of metformin, suggesting a substrate-specific increase in absorption. The study highlights potential pharmacokinetic interactions with metformin, an Oct1 substrate drug.

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