Effect of Ginseng on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Author:
Hye Min HA
1
;
Da Hyun OH
;
Pusoon CHUN
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy, Inje University, Gyeongsangnam-do 50834, Republic of Korea. pusoon@inje.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Meta-Analysis ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords:
American ginseng;
Korean red ginseng;
Korean white ginseng;
blood pressure;
randomized controlled trial
- MeSH:
Blood Pressure*;
Panax*
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2016;26(2):163-171
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis was performed to determine effect of ginseng on blood pressure. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, RISS, DBpia, KISS, and Koreamed were searched for all published studies from inception to January 2016. The following terms were used: "ginseng", "hypertension", and "blood pressure". Using the Review Manager 5, mean differences (MDs) were pooled to measure the effect of ginseng on blood pressure compared to that of placebo. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials were included. In this meta-analysis, ginseng treatment significantly lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) in a dose-independent way (MD: -1.99, p = 0.04). In subgroup analysis, 8-12 week consumption of ginseng achieved significantly greater reduction in SBP (MD: -3.14, p = 0.03), while single administration of ginseng failed to show BP-lowering effect. When ingested over 8-12 weeks, ginseng significantly lowered diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD: -1.96, p = 0.03). No significant association was found between ginseng dose and the magnitude of BP-lowering effect. However, a significant positive relationship was observed between baseline SBP level and the magnitude of SBP reduction (r = 0.848, p = 0.033). Such a relationship was not seen in DBP. CONCLUSION: Consumption of ginseng for 8-12 weeks achieved significant reductions in SBP and DBP in a dose-independent way. There was a significant positive relationship between baseline SBP level and the magnitude of SBP reduction.
