Is ginseng an ergogenic aid?

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

Volumn 19, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 298-322

  Bahrke, Michael S ^a   Morgan, William P ^b   Stegner, Aaron ^b  

^a Human Kinetics   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON   (United States)

Author keywords

Athletic performance; Herbal supplement; Performance enhancement; Pharmacological effects

Indexed keywords

ALCOHOL; ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS EXTRACT; GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT; GINSENG EXTRACT; GINSENOSIDE; GK501; PHENELZINE; PLACEBO; PROTEIN P300; SECRETORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN; UNCLASSIFIED DRUG; WARFARIN;

AEROBIC EXERCISE; ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE; BEHAVIOR CHANGE; CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION; CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE; CLINICAL TRIAL; COGNITION; DIET SUPPLEMENTATION; DRUG BIOAVAILABILITY; DRUG MECHANISM; DRUG MEGADOSE; DRUG PURITY; DRUG QUALITY; DRUG SAFETY; DRUG WITHDRAWAL; ERGOMETRY; EXERCISE TEST; FATIGUE; GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE; GINKGO BILOBA; HEADACHE; HUMAN; HYPERTENSION; IMMUNE SYSTEM; MANIA; METRORRHAGIA; MOOD CHANGE; PHOTOSENSITIVITY; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE; REVIEW; SINGLE DRUG DOSE; SLEEP DISORDER; STRESS; TRANSITIONAL BLINDNESS;

PANAX GINSENG;

EID: 66849141100     PISSN: 1526484X     EISSN: 15432742     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.19.3.298     Document Type: Review

References (91)

1. Abebe, W. (2003). An overview of herbal supplement utilization with particular emphasis on possible interactions with dental drugs and oral manifestations. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 77, 37-46.
2. Anonymous. (2005). Warning on imported ginseng. FDA Consumer, 39, 3.
3. Asafu-Adjaye, E.B., & Wong, S.K. (2003). Determination of ginsenosides (ginseng saponins) in dry root powder form from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and selected commercial products by liquid chromatography: Interlaboratory study. Journal of AOAC International, 86, 1112-1123.
4. Attele, A.S., Wu, J.A., & Yuan, C-S. (1999). Ginseng pharmacology: Multiple constituents and multiple actions. Biochemical Pharmacology, 58, 1685-1693. (Pubitemid 29505408)
5. Bahrke, M.S., & Morgan, W.P. (1994). Evaluation of the ergogenic properties of ginseng. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 18, 229-248. (Pubitemid 24321369)
6. Bahrke, M.S., & Morgan, W.P. (2000). Evaluation of the ergogenic properties of ginseng: An update. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 29, 113-133. (Pubitemid 30110383)
7. Baranov, A.I. (1982). Medicinal uses of ginseng and related plants in the Soviet Union: Recent trends in the Soviet literature. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 6, 339-353. (Pubitemid 13169287)
8. Bardia, A., Nisly, N.L., Zimmerman, M.B., Gryzlak, B.M., & Wallace, R.B. (2007). Use of herbs among adults based on evidence-based indications: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82, 561-566. (Pubitemid 46709424)
9. Barna, P. (1985). Food or drug? The case of ginseng [letter]. Lancet II, 2(8454), 548.
10. Besso, H., Kasai, R., Wei, J., Wang, J-F., Saruwatari, Y-I., Fuwa, T., et al. (1982). Further studies on dammarane-sapogenins of American ginseng, roots of Panax quinquefolium L. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 30, 4534-4538. (Pubitemid 13185665)
11. Brekman, I.I. (1965). Eleutherococcus senticosus: A new medicinal herb of the araliaceae family. In K.K. Chen & B. Mukerji (Eds.), Pharmacology of oriental plants (pp. 97- 102). New York: MacMillan.
12. Cardinal, B.J., & Engels, H-J. (2001). Ginseng does not enhance psychological well-being in healthy, young adults: Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101, 655-660. (Pubitemid 33714114)
13. Chase, P.J., Darby, L.A., Liang, M.T.C., & Morgan, A.I. (2000). Efficacy of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) as an ergogenic nutritional supplement [abstract]. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32, S61.
14. Choi, K.T. (2008). Botanical characteristics, pharmacological effects and medicinal components of Korean Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 29, 1109-1118.
15. Chong, S.K.F., & Oberholzer, V.G. (1988). Ginseng: Is there a use in clinical medicine? Postgraduate Medical Journal, 64, 841-846. (Pubitemid 19011079)
16. CNN.com/WORLD. (November 21, 2001). Korean root spawns riches, cancer cure claims. Available at http://asia.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/11/21/ korea.ginseng. reut/index.html
17. Coon, J.T., & Ernst, E. (2002). Panax ginseng: A systematic review of adverse effects and drug interactions. Drug Safety, 25, 323-344. (Pubitemid 34634271)
18. Court, W.E. (1975). Ginseng: A Chinese folk medicine of current interest. Pharmacy Journal, 214, 180-181.
19. Davydov, M., & Krikorian, A.D. (2000). Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: A closer look. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72, 345-393.
20. Dragun, Z., Puntaric, D., Prpic-Majic, D., Bosnir, J., Gmajnic, R., & Klaric, M. (2003). Toxic metals and metalloids in dietetic products. Croatian Medical Journal, 44, 214-218. (Pubitemid 36548083)
21. Elyakov, G.B., Strigina, L.I., Uvarova, N.I., Vaskovasky, V.E., Dzizenko, A.E., & Kochetkov, N.K. (1964). Glycosides from ginseng roots. Tetrahedron Letters, 5(48), 3591-3597.
22. Engelberg, D., McCutcheon, A., & Wiseman, S. (2001). A case of ginseng-induced mania. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 21, 535-536. (Pubitemid 32937440)
23. Engels, H-J., Fahlman, M.M., & Wirth, J.C. (2003). Effects of ginseng on secretory IgA, performance, and recovery from interval exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35, 690-696. (Pubitemid 36417862)
24. Engels, H-J., Kolokouri, I., Cieslak, T.J., & Wirth, J.C. (2001). Effects of ginseng supplementation on supramaximal exercise performance and short-term recovery. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15, 290-295. (Pubitemid 33657848)
25. Ernst, E. (2002). The risk-benefit profile of commonly used herbal therapies: Gingko, St. John's wort, ginseng, echinacea, saw palmetto, and kava. Annals of Internal Medicine, 136, 42-53. (Pubitemid 34038696)
26. Froiland, K., Koszewski, W., Hingst, J., & Kopecky, L. (2004). Nutritional supplement use among college athletes and their sources of information. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 14, 104-120. (Pubitemid 38233817)
27. Gaffney, B.T., Hugel, H.M., & Rich, P.A. (2001a). The effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng on steroidal hormone indices of stress and lymphocyte subset numbers in endurance athletes. Life Sciences, 70, 431-442. (Pubitemid 34017537)
28. Gaffney, B.T., Hugel, H.M., & Rich, P.A. (2001b). Panax ginseng and Eleutherococcus senticosus may exaggerate an already existing biphasic response to stress via inhibition of enzymes which limit the binding of stress hormones to their receptors. Medical Hypotheses, 56, 567-572. (Pubitemid 32507022)
29. Ginseng warning. (1997, December 19). USA Today, p. 3A.
30. Goulet, E.D.B., & Dionne, I.J. (2005). Assessment of the effects of eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance performance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 15, 75-83. (Pubitemid 40344238)
31. Gross, D., Shenkman, Z., Bleiberg, B., Dayan, B.M., Gittelson, M., & Efrat, R. (2002). Ginseng improves pulmonary functions and exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease, 57, 242-246. (Pubitemid 36637236)
32. Harkey, M.R., Henderson, G.L., Gershwin, M.E., Stern, J.S., & Hackman, R.M. (2001). Variability in commercial ginseng products: An analysis of 25 preparations. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 73, 1101-1106. (Pubitemid 32496951)
33. Healing Herbs and Natural Remedies. (2008, April 15). Top selling herbal products in the U.S. Available at www.herbsandnaturalremedies.com/top-sellers. htm
34. Hon, C.C., Chow, Y.C., Zeng, F.Y., & Leung, F.C. (2003). Genetic authentication of ginseng and other traditional Chinese medicine. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 24, 841-846. (Pubitemid 37081783)
35. Hong, D.Y., Lau, A.J., Yeo, C.L., Liu, X.K., Yang, C.R., Kob, H.L., et al. (2005). Genetic diversity and variation of saponin contents in Panax notoginseng roots from a single farm. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53, 8460-8467.
36. Hou, J.P. (1977). The chemical constituents of ginseng plants. Comparative Medicine East and West, 5, 123-145. (Pubitemid 8289197)
37. Hsu, C.C., Ho, M.C., Lin, L.C., Su, B., & Hsu, M-C. (2005). American ginseng supplementation attenuates creatine kinase level induced by submaximal exercise in human beings. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 11, 5327-5331. (Pubitemid 41410300)
38. Hu, S.Y. (1976). The genus Panax (ginseng) in Chinese medicine. Economic Botany, 30, 11-28.
39. Iida, Y., Tanaka, O., & Shibata, S. (1968). Studies on saponins of ginseng: The structure of ginsenoside-Rg1. Tetrahedron Letters, 9(52), 5449-5453.
40. Iwabuchi, H., Yoshikura, M., Ikawa, Y., & Kamisako, W. (1987). Studies on the sesquiterpenoids of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: Isolation and structure determination of sesquiterpene alcohols, panasinsanols A and B. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 35, 1975-1981.
41. Iwabuchi, H., Yoshikura, M., & Kamisako, W. (1988). Studies on the sesquiterpenoids of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer II: Isolation and structure determination of ginsenol, a novel sesquiterpene alcohol. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 36, 2447-2451. (Pubitemid 18198152)
42. Kabalak, A.A., Soyal, O.B., Urfalioglu, A., Saracoglu, F., & Gogus, N. (2004). Menometrorrhagia and tachyarrhythmia after using oral and topical ginseng. Journal of Women's Health, 13, 830-833. (Pubitemid 39369264)
43. Kasai, R., Yamaguchi, H., & Tanaka, O. (1987). High-performance liquid chromatography of glycosides on a new type of hydoxyapatite column. Journal of Chromatography, 407, 205-210. (Pubitemid 17153899)
44. Kennedy, D.O., & Scholey, A.B. (2003). Ginseng: Potential for the enhancement of cognitive performance and mood. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 75, 687-700. (Pubitemid 36939174)
45. Kennedy, D.O., Scholey, A.B., Drewery, L., Marsh, L.R., Moore, B., & Ashton, H. (2003). Electroencephalograph effects of single doses of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng in healthy young volunteers. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 75, 701-709. (Pubitemid 36936902)
46. Kennedy, D.O., Scholey, A.B., & Wesnes, K.A. (2001a). Differential, dose dependent changes in cognitive performance following acute administration of a Ginkgo biloba/ Panax ginseng combination to healthy young volunteers. Nutritional Neuroscience, 4, 399-412. (Pubitemid 33130413)
47. Kennedy, D.O., Scholey, A.B., & Wesnes, K.A. (2001b). Dose dependent changes in cognitive performance and mood following acute administration of ginseng to healthy young volunteers. Nutritional Neuroscience, 4, 295-310. (Pubitemid 33130418)
48. Kennedy, D.O., Scholey, A.B., & Wesnes, K.A. (2002). Modulation of cognition and mood following administration of single doses of Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and a ginkgo/ ginseng combination to healthy young adults. Physiology & Behavior, 75, 739-751. (Pubitemid 34521836)
49. Khan, I.A., Allgood, J., Walker, L.A., Abourashed, E.A., Schenk, D., & Benson, W.H. (2001). Determination of heavy metals and pesticides in ginseng products. Journal of AOAC International, 84, 936-939. (Pubitemid 33615037)
50. Kim, S.H., Park, K.S., Chang, M.J., & Sung, J.H. (2005). Effects of Panax ginseng extract on exercise-induced oxidative stress. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 45, 178-182. (Pubitemid 41415957)
51. Kitts, D., & Hu, C. (2000). Efficacy and safety of ginseng. Public Health Nutrition, 3(4A), 473-485. (Pubitemid 32095585)
52. Korea promoting international food standard for ginseng. (2002, March 20). Korea Herald.
53. Krochmal, R., Hardy, M., Bowerman, S., Lu, Q-Y., Wang, H-J., Elashoff, R.M., et al. (2004). Phytochemical assays of commercial botanical dietary supplements. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1, 305-313.
54. Kulaputana, O., Thanakomsirichot, S., & Anomasiri, W. (2007). Ginseng supplementation does not change lactate threshold and physical performances in physically active Thai men. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 90, 1172-1179. (Pubitemid 47013742)
55. Liang, M.T.C., Podolka, T.D., & Chuang, W.J. (2005). Panax notoginseng supplementation enhances physical performance during endurance exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19, 108-114. (Pubitemid 40417263)
56. Liberti, L.E., & Der Marderosian, A. (1978). Evaluation of commercial ginseng products. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 67, 1487-1489. (Pubitemid 9024555)
57. Lieberman, H.R. (2001). The effects of ginseng, ephedrine, and caffeine on cognitive performance, mood, and energy. Nutrition Reviews, 59, 91-102. (Pubitemid 32436325)
58. Lim, W., Mudge, K.W., & Vermeylen, F. (2005). Effects of population, age, and cultivation methods on ginsenoside content of wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53, 8498-8505.
59. Martinez-Mir, I., Rubio, E., Morales-Olivas, F.J., & Palop-Larrea, V. (2004). Transient ischemic attack secondary to hypertensive crisis related to Panax ginseng. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 38, 1970. (Pubitemid 39425740)
60. Matsuda, H., Namba, K., Fukuda, S., Tani, T., & Kubo, M. (1986). Pharmacological study on Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: III. Effects of red ginseng on experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation. (2) Effects of ginsenosides on blood coagulative and fibrinolytic systems. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 34, 1153-1157. (Pubitemid 16103733)
61. Palanisamy, A., Halter, C., & Olson, K.R. (2003). Photosensitivity reaction in a woman using an herbal supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal, and bee pollen. Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology, 41, 865-867. (Pubitemid 37499016)
62. Palisin, T.E., & Stacy, J.J. (2006). Ginseng: Is it the root? Current Sports Medicine Reports, 5, 210-214.
63. Palop-Larrea, V., Gonzalvez-Perales, J.L., Catalan-Oliver, C., Belenguer-Varea, A., & Martinez-Mir, I. (2000). Metrorrhagia and ginseng. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34, 1347-1348.
64. Petkov, V.D., Yinglin, C., Todorov, I., Lazarova, M., Getova, D., Stancheva, S., et al. (1992). Behavioral effects of stem-leaves extract from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Acta Physiologica et Pharmacologica Bulgarica, 18, 41-48. (Pubitemid 23162565)
65. Petroczi, A., & Naughton, D.P. (2008). The age-gender-status profile of high performing athletes in the UK taking nutritional supplements: Lessons for the future. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 5, 2. Retrieved from http://www.jissn. com/content/5/1/2
66. Phillipson, J.D., & Anderson, L.A. (1984). Ginseng: Quality, safety, and efficacy? Pharmaceutical Journal, 232, 161-165.
67. Pietta, P., Mauri, P., & Rava, A. (1986). Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng extracts and products. Journal of Chromatography, 356, 212-219. (Pubitemid 16033822)
68. Popov, I.M., & Goldwag, W.J. (1973). A review of the properties and clinical effects of ginseng. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1, 263-270.
69. PRWeb Press Release Newswire. (2008, February 25). World herbal supplements and remedies market to reach US$22.9 billion by 2010, according to new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Available at www.prweb.com/releases/herbal-supplements/ herbal-remedies/prweb707734.htm
70. Raman, P., Patino, L.C., & Nair, M.G. (2004). Evaluation of metal and microbial contamination in botanical supplements. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52, 7822-7827. (Pubitemid 40063590)
71. Reay, J.L., Kennedy, D.O., & Scholey, A.B. (2006). Effects of Panax ginseng, consumed with and without glucose, on blood glucose levels and cognitive performance during sustained "mentally demanding" tasks. Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 20, 771-781.
72. Scholey, A.B., & Kennedy, D.O. (2002). Acute, dose-dependent cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng and their combination in healthy young volunteers: Differential interactions with cognitive demand. Human Psychopharmacology, 17, 35-44. (Pubitemid 34130352)
73. Shibata, S., Fujita, M., Itokawa, H., Tanaka, O., & Ishii, T. (1963). Studies on the constituents of Japanese and Chinese crude drugs: XI. Panaxadiol, a sapogenin of ginseng roots. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 11, 759-761.
74. Shibata, S., Tanaka, O., Soma, K., Iida, Y., Ando, T., & Nakamura, H. (1965). Studies on saponins and sapogenins of ginseng: The structure of panaxatriol. Tetrahedron Letters, 6(3), 207-213.
75. Sievenpiper, J.L., Arnason, J.T., Vidgen, E., Leiter, L.A., & Vuksan, V. (2004). A systematic quantitative analysis of the literature of the high variability in ginseng (Panax spp.): Should ginseng be trusted in diabetes? Diabetes Care, 27, 839-840.
76. Slater, G., Tan, B., & Teh, K.C. (2003). Dietary supplementation practices of Singaporean athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 13, 320-332. (Pubitemid 37108364)
77. Stavro, P.M., Woo, M., Heim, T.F., Leiter, L.A., & Vuksan, V. (2005). North American ginseng exerts a neutral effect on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Hypertension, 46, 406-411. (Pubitemid 41099177)
78. Sundgot-Borgen, J., Berglund, B., & Torstveit, M.K. (2003). Nutritional supplements in Norwegian elite athletes-Impact of international ranking and advisors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 13, 138-144.
79. Tanaka, O., Nagai, M., & Shibata, S. (1966). Chemical studies on the Oriental plant drugs: XVI. The stereochemistry of protopanaxadiol, a genuine sapogenin of ginseng. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 14, 1150-1156.
80. Tawab, M.A., Bahr, U., Karas, M., Wurglics, M., & Schubert-Zsilavecz, M. (2003). Degradation of ginsenosides in humans after oral administration. Drug Metabolism and Disposition: the Biological Fate of Chemicals, 31, 1065-1071. (Pubitemid 36975678)
81. U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002-Public Law 107-117 Available at www.usda.gov/farmbill2002/
82. Vazquez, I., & Aguera-Ortiz, L.F. (2002). Herbal products and serious side effects: A case of ginseng-induced manic episode. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 105, 76-77. (Pubitemid 34158072)
83. Vogler, B.K., Pittler, M.H., & Ernst, E. (1999). The efficacy of ginseng. A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 55, 567-575. (Pubitemid 29489202)
84. Li, W., Gu, C., Zhang, H., Awang, D.V., Fitzloff, J.F., et al. (2000). Use of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to distinguish Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius L. (North American ginseng). Analytical Chemistry, 72, 5417-5422.
85. Williams, L.O. (1957). Ginseng. Economic Botany, 11, 344-348.
86. Wiwanitkit, V., & Taungjaruwinai, W. (2004). A case report of suspect ginseng allergy. Medscape General Medicine, 6, 9. Retrieved from www.medscape.com/ viewarticle/482833 (Pubitemid 41349654)
87. Yamaguchi, H., Kasai, R., Matsuura, H., Tanaka, O., & Fuwa, T. (1988). High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of acidic saponins of ginseng and related plants. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 36, 3468-3473. (Pubitemid 18246555)
88. Youl Kang, H., Hwan Kim, S., Jun Lee, W., & Byrne, H.K. (2002). Effects of ginseng ingestion on growth hormone, testosterone, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor 1 responses to acute resistance exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 16, 179-183.
89. Yuan, C.S., Wang, X., Wu, J.A., Attele, A.S., Xie, J-T., & Gu, M. (2001). Effects of Panax quinquefolius L. on brainstem neuronal activities: Comparison between Wisconsincultivated and Illinois-cultivated roots. Phytomedicine, 8, 178-183. (Pubitemid 32506291)
90. Ziegler, P.J., Nelson, J.A., & Jonnalagadda, S.S. (2003). Use of dietary supplements by elite figure skaters. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 13, 266-276. (Pubitemid 37108359)
91. Ziemba, A.W., Chmura, J., Kaciuba-Uscilko, H., Nazar, K., Wisnik, P., & Gawronski, W. (1999). Ginseng treatment improves psychomotor performance at rest and during graded exercise in young athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 9, 434-442. (Pubitemid 129629943)