Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Abstract Background Ginseng is a source of pharmacologically active compounds with cardioprotective properties. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of ginseng on vascular function. Methods Electronic databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04936-5 |
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| author | Ayda Esmaeili Naser Khalili Nastaran Najafi Fatemeh Hajizadeh-Sharafabad |
| author_facet | Ayda Esmaeili Naser Khalili Nastaran Najafi Fatemeh Hajizadeh-Sharafabad |
| author_sort | Ayda Esmaeili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ginseng is a source of pharmacologically active compounds with cardioprotective properties. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of ginseng on vascular function. Methods Electronic databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using relevant keywords from inception until February 2025. The eligibility criteria for a full-text review of papers consisted of clinical trials involving subjects aged ≥ 15 years who consumed ginseng and evaluated at least one of the cardiac function markers: flow-mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and circulating biomarkers of vascular function. Results From a total of 328 initial search records, 13 randomized controlled trials were included in the study. Pooled analysis showed a significant increase in FMD level (effect size: 5, SMD: 0.571%, 95% CI: 0.198, 0.943, P = 0.003), and endothelium-derived nitric oxide levels (effect size: 4, SMD: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.59, P = 0.045) as well as a significant decrease in PWV (effect size: 7, SMD: ‒0.29 cm/s, 95% CI: ‒0.51, ‒0.06, P = 0.014). No significant effect was observed in AIx (effect size: 9, SMD: ‒0.53%, 95% CI: ‒1.08, 0.03, P = 0.063) following ginseng intake. Conclusions The overall results revealed beneficial effects of ginseng on endothelial function and arterial stiffness, as measured by PWV, while it did not change AIx. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effects of ginseng on vascular function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17ae3bd102d6473ea36ff1a0d86b4c20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-7671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-17ae3bd102d6473ea36ff1a0d86b4c202025-08-20T03:42:37ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-07-0125111410.1186/s12906-025-04936-5Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trialsAyda Esmaeili0Naser Khalili1Nastaran Najafi2Fatemeh Hajizadeh-Sharafabad3Patient Safety Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical SciencesCellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical SciencesPatient Safety Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Ginseng is a source of pharmacologically active compounds with cardioprotective properties. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of ginseng on vascular function. Methods Electronic databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using relevant keywords from inception until February 2025. The eligibility criteria for a full-text review of papers consisted of clinical trials involving subjects aged ≥ 15 years who consumed ginseng and evaluated at least one of the cardiac function markers: flow-mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and circulating biomarkers of vascular function. Results From a total of 328 initial search records, 13 randomized controlled trials were included in the study. Pooled analysis showed a significant increase in FMD level (effect size: 5, SMD: 0.571%, 95% CI: 0.198, 0.943, P = 0.003), and endothelium-derived nitric oxide levels (effect size: 4, SMD: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.59, P = 0.045) as well as a significant decrease in PWV (effect size: 7, SMD: ‒0.29 cm/s, 95% CI: ‒0.51, ‒0.06, P = 0.014). No significant effect was observed in AIx (effect size: 9, SMD: ‒0.53%, 95% CI: ‒1.08, 0.03, P = 0.063) following ginseng intake. Conclusions The overall results revealed beneficial effects of ginseng on endothelial function and arterial stiffness, as measured by PWV, while it did not change AIx. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effects of ginseng on vascular function.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04936-5GinsengVascular functionEndothelial functionCardiovascular healthArterial stiffness |
| spellingShingle | Ayda Esmaeili Naser Khalili Nastaran Najafi Fatemeh Hajizadeh-Sharafabad Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Ginseng Vascular function Endothelial function Cardiovascular health Arterial stiffness |
| title | Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials |
| title_full | Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials |
| title_fullStr | Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials |
| title_short | Ginseng supplementation and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials |
| title_sort | ginseng supplementation and vascular function a systematic review and meta analysis of clinical trials |
| topic | Ginseng Vascular function Endothelial function Cardiovascular health Arterial stiffness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04936-5 |
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