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Complementary Therapies in Medicine Jan 2020We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng supplementation on plasma lipid concentration. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng supplementation on plasma lipid concentration.
METHODS
The search included PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar (up to April 2019) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of ginseng supplementation on serum lipid parameters. To estimate the overall summary effect, we used random-effects model.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies comprising 35 treatment arms comprising 1245 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis results showed that consumption of ginseng did not significantly change the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). However, subgroup analyses showed a significant lowering effect in high dose ginseng supplementation on TC, LDL-C and TG. Also, the impact of ginseng on TC and TG was significant in long-term interventions.
CONCLUSION
Further RCTs with longer supplementation durations in subjects with dyslipidemia are necessitated for a more robust assessment of the lipid-modulating properties of this plant.
Topics: Adult; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Lipids; Panax; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31987252
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102239 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Mar 2021Immunomodulation has become a crucial modality for cancer treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are expected as adjuvant therapy for immunomodulation against...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Immunomodulation has become a crucial modality for cancer treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are expected as adjuvant therapy for immunomodulation against cancer, but face the key challenge of poor scientific evidence. Changes of natural killer (NK) cells on numbers and/or cytotoxicity are a novel respect to evaluate the immunomodulation of CHMs.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this review is to investigate the immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) on NK cell populations for cancer therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was conducted and outside mainstream electronic databases were screened for potential reference articles. This review tried to report and critically analyzed all the correlative studies, especially these clinical trials (3 CHM extracts and 11 CHM formulas).
RESULTS
Evidence-based functions of CHMs against cancer could be summarized as: (1) enhancement of NK cells activity or relative percentage; (2) prevention of tumor growth and metastasis; (3) relief on side-effects or complications of therapeutic strategies (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and resection). Briefly, most of cellular studies and two thirds animal studies were based on the extract or components of single herbs, whilst most of clinical trials were keen on formula or prescription of CHMs. The main components of CHMs were demonstrated active on promoting the cytotoxicity of NK cells, including Angelica sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Panax ginseng, Radix Astragali, Lentinus edodes, etc. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive review demonstrated NK cells activity was positively associated with quality of life but not survival benefit of cancer patients. Thus exploring the roles of NK cells in adjuvant therapy against cancer is confirmed to be beneficial to explore the underlying relationship between immunomodulation and quality of life.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Immunomodulation; Killer Cells, Natural; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Neoplasms
PubMed: 33157222
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113561 -
International Journal of Clinical... Nov 2019The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine makes a compilation of structured abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Kampo medicines available on its Evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine makes a compilation of structured abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Kampo medicines available on its Evidence Reports of Kampo Treatment (EKAT) website.
METHODS
Using EKAT, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of using daikenchuto ( https://mpdb.nibiohn.go.jp/stork ) for bowel dysfunction after surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. The primary outcomes were the time to first postoperative flatus and the time to first postoperative bowel movement (BM).
RESULTS
We found nine relevant RCTs. The mean differences between the daikenchuto group and control group (daikenchuto was not administered) were - 0.43 (95% CI: - 0.77 to - 0.09) days for the time to first postoperative flatus, - 0.29 (95% CI: - 0.59 to 0.01) days for the time to first postoperative BM, and - 0.95 (95% CI: - 1.70 to - 0.21) days for the length of postoperative hospital stay, and the risk ratio of the incidence of intestinal obstruction was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.35-1.03). The time to first postoperative flatus and the length of postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the daikenchuto group than those in the control group (P = 0.01). However, only double-blind studies were evaluated; the results turned to be non-significant.
CONCLUSION
As a result of meta-analysis by all retrieved according to the registered protocol, daikenchuto was efficacious in improving postoperative bowel dysfunction in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. However, limiting to articles with description of COI and blindness, significance disappeared.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Motility; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Length of Stay; Medicine, Kampo; Panax; Plant Extracts; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Zanthoxylum; Zingiberaceae
PubMed: 31297704
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-019-01502-1 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Aug 2019The present meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng administration on serum level of inflammatory biomarkers. We performed a systematic search of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The present meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of ginseng administration on serum level of inflammatory biomarkers. We performed a systematic search of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted up to June 2018 in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. RCTs that investigated the effect ginseng supplementation on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were included for final analysis. A total of seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated significant reduction in IL-6 (mean difference [MD]: -0.265 pg/ml, 95% CI [-0.396, -0.135], p < .001) and TNF-α (MD: -2.471 pg/ml, 95% CI [-2.904, -2.039], p < .001) and no significant change in hs-CRP (MD: -0.125 mg/L, 95% CI [-0.597, 0.347], p = .604). Although there was publication bias across studies, trim and fill analysis showed that results from unpublished studies could not change the results for CRP. However, removing one study in sensitivity analysis did reveal a significant reduction in CRP. We conclude that ginseng supplementation significantly lowered IL-6 and TNF-α but did not significantly lower CRP. However, these findings were not robust, because they showed sensitivity for CRP and IL-6, and future long-term well-designed dose-escalating trials are required.
Topics: Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Inflammation; Middle Aged; Panax
PubMed: 31161680
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6399 -
The Journal of Sports Medicine and... Jun 2024According to the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of randomized controlled trials examined whether Panax ginseng supplementation reduces resistance to...
INTRODUCTION
According to the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of randomized controlled trials examined whether Panax ginseng supplementation reduces resistance to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Medline databases were searched from the 16 of December 2021 to the 18 of February 2022. Inclusion criteria were studies in humans consuming Panax ginseng that employed resistance training as the damaging muscle protocol and measured markers implicated in the etiology of EIMD (muscle damage, muscle function and muscle soreness). The PEDro risk of bias assessment tool was used to appraise the studies critically.
RESULTS
Conflicting evidence was evident in markers of muscle damage, muscle function and muscle soreness. The quality assessment suggested that all studies had some level of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
From 180, six studies were included in the systematic review. The main findings suggest that Panax ginseng does not attenuate markers of EIMD following resistance training. However, research is still preliminary. Adequately powered sample sizes and well-controlled studies are warranted to clarify Panax ginseng's efficacy.
PubMed: 38888561
DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15832-X -
Nutrients Aug 2020Black ginseng has various pharmacological activities, but only few studies have compared its pharmacological effects with those of red ginseng. We conducted an... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Black ginseng has various pharmacological activities, but only few studies have compared its pharmacological effects with those of red ginseng. We conducted an integrative systematic literature evaluation and developed a non-inferiority test based on the multivariate modeling approach to compare the pharmacological effects of red ginseng and black ginseng. We searched reported studies on the pharmaceutical effects and composition of ginsenosides and assigned numeric scores using nonlinear principal component analysis, based on discretization measures for the included publications. Downstream weighted linear regression models were constructed to study the eight major biological activities that are generally known to be exhibited by red ginseng. Our statistical model, based on available ordinal information gathered from previous literature, helped in comparing the overlapping effects of black ginseng. Black ginseng showed antioxidant effects comparable to those of red ginseng; however, this variant was inferior to red ginseng in enhancing immunity, relieving fatigue, alleviating depression/anxiety, decreasing body fat, and reducing blood pressure. We have showed a cost-efficient method to indirectly evaluate the biological effects of ginseng products using data from published articles. This method can also be used to compare the nutritional and medicinal value of herbal medicines that share similar compositions of bioactive compounds.
Topics: Ginsenosides; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Panax; Plants, Medicinal; Principal Component Analysis; Research
PubMed: 32858896
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092590 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Aug 2019The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP/hs-CRP levels in clinical trial studies. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP/hs-CRP levels in clinical trial studies.
DESIGN
A systematic literature search was carried out for clinical trials published in ISI web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from the beginning to 16th February 2018. Of 83 articles found in the first step of the systematic search, seven studies with nine arms included in this meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Results of pooled random-effect size analysis of nine trials showed non-significant decreasing effects of ginseng supplementation on CRP level (WMD: -0.1 mg/l, 95% CI, -0.26, 0.1; P = 0.27) with significant heterogeneity shown within the studies. The subgroup analysis showed that ginseng supplementation could significantly reduce CRP level by 0.51 (95% CI: -0.68, -0.34; P < 0001, test for heterogeneity: P = 0.44, I = 0.0%) in patients with a baseline serum CRP level of greater than 3 mg/dl. Trial duration and dose of ginseng supplementation included no significant effects on CRP level in this meta-analysis.
CONCLUSION
Results of the current meta-analysis study have shown that ginseng supplementation can decrease significantly serum CRP/hsCRP levels in patients with elevated serum level of this inflammatory marker.
Topics: Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Clinical Trials as Topic; Complementary Therapies; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Inflammation; Panax; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 31331589
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.021 -
PloS One 2023Ginseng-containing traditional medicine preparations (G-TMPs) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (FBC) are well-known treatments for advanced... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Ginseng-containing traditional medicine preparations in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Ginseng-containing traditional medicine preparations (G-TMPs) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (FBC) are well-known treatments for advanced gastric cancer (AGC), with a superior efficacy to FBC alone. However, evidence regarding their efficacy remains limited. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of G-TMPs in combination with FBC for the treatment of AGC.
METHODS
Eight electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using G-TMPs with FBC for the treatment of AGC. The primary outcome included the tumor response, while the secondary outcomes included the quality of life (QoL), proportions of peripheral blood lymphocytes, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and levels of cancer biomarkers. The quality of evidence for each outcome was assessed using GRADE profilers.
RESULTS
A total of 1,960 participants were involved in the 26 RCTs included. Patients treated with FBC plus G-TMPs had better objective response (risk ratio [RR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13 to 1.35, p < 0.00001) and disease control (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.19, p < 0.00001) rates than those treated with FBC alone. Additionally, the combination group had a better QoL, higher proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and natural killer cells, as well as a higher CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. Furthermore, lower levels of CA19-9, CA72-4, and CEA were confirmed in the combination treatment group. In addition, G-TMPs reduced the incidence of ADRs during chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
In combination with FBC, G-TMPs can potentially enhance efficacy, reduce ADRs, and improve prognosis for patients with AGC. However, high-quality randomized studies remain warranted.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO Number: CRD42021264938.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Panax; Antimetabolites; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Medicine, Traditional
PubMed: 37068063
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284398 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Aug 2020The aim of the review was to assess whether ginseng can be a useful supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections (SAURIs). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The aim of the review was to assess whether ginseng can be a useful supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections (SAURIs).
METHODS
All clinical studies investigating ginseng efficacy for the treatment or prevention of SAURIs were included in the review. Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar were systematically screened for relevant articles up to May 26th, 2020. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool (RoB 2).
RESULTS
Nine articles (describing ten trials about P. ginseng or P. quinquefolius) were included in the review. Evidence globally indicated some useful activity of intervention when administered in adjunct to influenza vaccination. The results of our quantitative synthesis suggested a significant effect on SAURIs incidence (RR = 0.69 [95 % C.I. 0.52 to 0.90], p < 0.05), as well as a significant reduction of their duration if only studies with healthy individuals were included in the analysis (MD=-3.11 [95 % C.I.-5.81 to -0.40], p < 0.05). However, the risk of bias was high-to-unclear for most included trials, and publication bias couldn't be excluded.
DISCUSSION
Limitations of existing evidence don't allow to draw conclusions on the topic. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that ginseng supplementation in adjunct to influenza vaccination and standard care might be useful for SAURIs prevention and management in healthy adult subjects, but further high-quality trials are needed to support this hypothesis.
OTHER
This research was not funded. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO under the following code: CRD42020156235.
Topics: Humans; Panax; Plant Extracts; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons
PubMed: 32951718
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine Jun 2021: Viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been recognized as a global public health burden. Despite current theories about their effectiveness, the true benefits...
: Viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been recognized as a global public health burden. Despite current theories about their effectiveness, the true benefits of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs remain elusive, due to contradictory reports. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs.: We systematically searched databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar through 4 March 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of consuming selected dietary supplements on the prevention or treatment of viral RTIs.: Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials (n = 16,797 participants) were eligible and included. Namely, vitamin D supplementation appeared to improve viral RTIs across cohorts particulate in those with vitamin D deficiency. Among the evaluated dietary supplements, specific strains were used most commonly with selected prebiotics that showed potentially positive effects on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs. Further, ginseng extract supplementation may effectively prevent viral RTIs as adjuvant therapy. However, longitudinal research is required to confirm these observations and address the optimal dose, duration, and safety of dietary supplements being publicly recommended.
Topics: COVID-19; Dietary Supplements; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Lactobacillus; Panax; Quercetin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 33858268
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1918546