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Effects of Ginseng on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Maogui Zeng1,2, Kuan Zhang1,2, Juan Yang3

  • 1The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|October 30, 2024
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Summary

Ginseng shows promise for improving memory, particularly at high doses, according to a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. However, its effects on overall cognition, attention, and executive function remain inconclusive, necessitating further high-quality research.

Keywords:
cognitionginsengmemorymeta‐analysissystematic review

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Integrative Medicine

Background:

  • Ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely believed to enhance cognitive function.
  • The clinical efficacy of ginseng for cognitive improvement is debated, requiring rigorous scientific evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of ginseng on human cognitive function.
  • To evaluate the impact of ginseng preparations on various cognitive domains, including memory, attention, and executive function.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs were conducted, searching major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline) up to December 2023.
  • Included studies involved ginseng preparations as the main intervention, with data analyzed using Stata 17.0.
  • Risk of bias and study quality were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2.0 (RoB2.0) and Jadad scale.

Main Results:

  • Fifteen RCTs involving 671 participants (healthy individuals and patients with cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, or Alzheimer's disease) were analyzed.
  • Ginseng demonstrated a significant positive effect on memory improvement (SMD = 0.19, p < 0.05), especially at high doses (SMD = 0.33, p < 0.05).
  • No significant positive effects were observed for overall cognition, attention, or executive function.

Conclusions:

  • Ginseng exhibits some beneficial effects on cognitive enhancement, most notably on memory.
  • Further high-quality research is essential to definitively establish the efficacy of ginseng for improving overall cognitive function.