ginseng

Acute sports activities can lead to damage to some tissues of the body (e.g., heart) due to the generation of oxidizing substances, resulting in an increase in troponins I and T levels. This study aimed to investigate the impact of two weeks of ginseng extract (Panax ginseng) supplementation on troponins I and T in male rats in response to acute swimming exercise.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, mean weight of 239.48 ± 6.7 grams) were randomly assigned to four groups: placebo, placebo + acute swimming exercise, ginseng extract supplement, and acute swimming exercise + ginseng extract supplement. The supplement groups received 0.02 ml of ginseng supplement per day for two weeks via gavage. The acute swimming exercise groups engaged in swimming activity until exhaustion in water after the supplementation period. Blood samples were collected from the rats' hearts two hours after acute swimming exercise to measure troponin I and T proteins.

Troponin I and T levels significantly increased after acute swimming exercise in both groups compared to pre-activity levels (P < 0.001). Ginseng extract supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in troponin I (P < 0.001) and troponin T (P = 0.019) levels compared to the placebo group following acute swimming exercise.

The findings suggest that acute swimming exercise can induce heart damage in rats, and a two-week regimen of ginseng supplementation may mitigate these effects.

Many studies have been done on the effects of ginseng and green tea on inflammatory factors and liver enzymes, but no research has yet studied the comparative effects of ginseng and green tea extracts with Pomeol Breuler on C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats. This study was done to evaluate the effects of ginseng and green tea extracts in comparison with Pomeol Bruler on CRP and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats.

In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups. Animals in group 1 (control group) received a normal diet. The experimental groups 2-7 received a high-fat diet for a month. The groups were treated with the extract for 8 weeks and by intraperitoneal injection. Groups 1 and 2 received 77.5 mg/kg/day and 155 mg/kg/day green tea extract, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received 103.3 mg/kg/day and 206.6 mg/kg/day ginseng extract, respectively. Group 5 received 0.16 g/kg/day of Pomeol Bruler, and group 6 received green tea extract (155 mg/kg/day) and ginseng extract (206.6 mg/kg/day). At the end of the treatment, the level of CRP and liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured.

The level of CRP was significantly reduced in the rats treated with ginseng, green tea, and Pomeol Bruler compared with the control group (P<0.05). The level of AST and ALT did not differ significantly between the ginseng, green tea, Pomeol Bruler, and control groups.

The combined use of ginseng and green tea with Pomeol Breuler for 8 weeks may reduce inflammatory factors but does not affect liver enzymes.

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) is one of the leading causes of synaptic formability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginseng supplementation and aerobic exercise on NMDA levels in non-athlete female students.

 In this quasi-experimental study, the statistical population included all female students aged 15 to 18 years in Zahedan. Among the eligible individuals, 48 were selected voluntarily and purposefully and were randomly divided into four groups: "Exercise," "Exercise + Supplement," "Supplement," and "Control." The training protocol included six weeks of running in the gym for 25 to 40 minutes. Exercise intensity was 60 to 70% of the reserve heart rate. Subjects in the supplement groups received 500 mg of ginseng daily (250 mg in the morning and 250 mg in the afternoon). In the pre-test stage, five ccs of blood were taken from the right arm vein of each subject. Then, 48 hours after the end of the intervention (end of the sixth week), sampling of the participants was repeated in conditions similar to the pre-test stage. ELISA measured plasma NMDA levels. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc test, and paired t-test, and the significance level of P<0.05 was considered.

 N-methyl D-aspartate levels increased significantly after six weeks of aerobic exercise and ginseng supplementation in the exercise + supplement group compared to the other groups. In addition, the levels of NMDA in the same group (Exercise + Supplement) showed a significant increase compared to the pre-test after six weeks of exercise and ginseng supplementation (p=0.001). Also, the N-methyl D-aspartate index increased in the exercise, Exercise+Supplement, and supplement groups compared to baseline values (p=0.001). In contrast, no change in this index was observed in the control group.

 Aerobic exercise and ginseng supplementation significantly improve N-methyl D-aspartate level in non-athlete girls.

Moderate-intensity exercise boosts immune system, while intense exercise can reduce the immune system function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ginseng supplementation on immune system function indices after exhaustive aerobic exercise.   

In this semi-experimental study, 20 active male students with the mean age of 21.8±2.5 years were randomly divided into experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Subjects of the experimental and control groups respectively received 1036 mg of ginseng supplement or placebo (dextrose) daily for ten days. All subjects were participated in the aerobic shuttle run test after supplementation period. SerumIgA, IgG, IgM and cortisol levels were measured in three phases; baseline, after supplementation and after aerobic exercise test. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA.

There were no significant differences in serum levels of IgA (P=0.73), IgG (P=0.86), IgM (P=0.42) and cortisol (P=0.96) between experimental and control groups following exhaustive aerobic exercise test.

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that short-term ginseng supplementation has no effect on the response of immune system function indices to exhaustive aerobic exercise in young males.

Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological   treatment strategies   for   prostate cancer may control disease progression and increase the survival rates of patients but decreased quality of life is the most important concern of existing medical interventions. Erection dysfunction and fatigue are the most prevalent adverse effects of therapeutic procedures which impair the quality of life of patients from psychological and physiological viewpoints. We aimed in the first part of this review to explain and compare the adverse health effects of different therapeutic interventions and the level of their health impartments  At the second part of this review we showed clinical evidence for  risks and benefits of oral Ginseng supplement regimens in different stages of prostate cancer.

To achieve these goals, human evidence and published clinical trials without time limit from databases until the end of 2019 were collected and qualitatively analyzed.

The results showed that oral consumption of ginseng can improve erectile dysfunction, reduce fatigue and ultimately improve the quality of life of patients, but the duration of treatment, interactions and possible side effects of this supplement should also be considered.

Because of the relative effectiveness of this compound in continuous and long-term use, the role of ginseng in improving other aspects of quality of life in patients with prostate cancer, increasing life expectancy and drug resistance are other unknown aspects of this issue which needs further investigation.

The intense and exhaustive exercise causes oxidative stress and cell damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term ginseng supplementation on biochemical markers of cell damage following intense anaerobic exercise.

In this semi-experimental study, 20 active girl students with the mean age of 22.85±3.7 years were randomly divided into experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Subjects of the experimental and control groups respectively received two capsules of ginseng (1036 mg) or placebo daily for seven days. All subjects participated in an intense anaerobic exercise test (Rast) after supplementation period. Lactate, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were measured in three phases; baseline, after supplementation and immediately after anaerobic exercise test. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA. 

Lactate, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly increased after the exercise test in the two groups (p˂0.05). However, there were no significant differences in levels of Lactate p=0.35), lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.14) and aspartate aminotransferase (p=0.47) between experimental and control groups following exercise test.

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that short-term ginseng supplementation has no effect on biochemical markers of cell damage following intense anaerobic exercise.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the immune system affecting the central nervous system. The etiology of the disease is unclear, but activation of immune mechanisms against inflammation itself seems to play a role in the disease. Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies in traditional medicine that can have soothing properties, promote health and prevent diseases. This study will review several reports on the effects of ginseng on MS. Ginseng is derived from a Greek word (pana kos) which means to cure all diseases. The possible route of positive effects of ginseng can be through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hemostatic and biological metabolism. Ginseng's therapeutic properties have been found in a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurological, cognitive, and autoimmune diseases. Ginseng is suggested to have preventive and therapeutic properties in MS. In this study we reviewed data by using Google Scholar, Science Direct and Pubmed as well as by searching key words: MS, Ginseng, Inflammatory factors and Oxidative stress, from 1990 to 2018.The modulating effects of ginseng on Th1 and TH17 cells activity and enhancing Treg activity as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ginseng can be used in the treatment of MS as immunological strategies.

Neurotrophins are a family of growth factors that are primarily identified by their ability to protect neuronal survival. The family of neurotrophins consists of 4 proteins, one of which is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 6-week aerobic training and ginseng supplementation on BDNF in 15-18 years old girls.
 

This study was a quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study was all girls aged 15-18 years in Zahedan, 46 of whom were voluntarily and purposefully selected. They were randomly divided into four groups of exercise, exercise + supplement, supplement, and control. The training protocol consisted of 6 weeks of running the gym (3 times a week) for 25 to 40 minutes, with 60-70% of the heart rate reserve. Subjects in the supplemented groups consumed Ginseng trace 500 mg daily (250 mg in the morning and 250 mg in the evening). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test and t-test. P<0.05 was considered as significant.
 

BDNF levels were significantly increased after six weeks of aerobic exercise and ginseng supplementation in the exercise + supplement group as compared to the other groups. Also, the baseline values of BDNF indices were improved in training, supplement + training and supplement groups (P <0.05). There was no change in this index in the control group (P >0.05).
 

It seems that aerobic exercise and ginseng supplementation have a significant effect on BDNF improvement. This increase was observed in all study groups except the control group, which showed the effect of exercise and ginseng independently on BDNF.

Ginseng is one of the herbal additives that is used to improve the activity of athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of speed training with Ginseng supplement on the aerobic and anaerobic power of trained girls the students.

In this semi-experimental study, 30 active girls were randomly selected and after completing the consent forms divided into three equal groups: training with supplement, training and control. Individuals of training with supplement and training groups perform speed training for eight weeks, three sessions per week. The training with supplement group consumed 250 milligrams of ginseng one hour before training. Aerobic and anaerobic power and speed performance were measured before and after the training program. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate of normal distribution of data and the results were analyzed using ANOVA test and Tukey post-hoc test at P≤0.05.

The results showed that aerobic power and speed performance in the training with supplement group significantly improved compared to the training and control groups, while the anaerobic power was not significantly different between the three groups.

Based on the findings of this study, it seems that Ginseng supplementation can improve aerobic power and speed performance.