Effects of Ginseng on Cancer-Related Fatigue

Abstract

BackgroundCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common yet troublesome adverse effect that compromises patient quality of life (QoL). Ginseng is often used to boost energy.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to systematically appraise evidence whether ginseng could alleviate CRF and improve QoL.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of ginseng for relieving CRF. The primary outcome was fatigue. The secondary outcomes included QoL, anxiety, adverse events, depression, and laboratory markers.ResultsThe final sample comprised seven trials. The pooled results showed that ginseng consumption led to significant reductions in CRF levels (standard mean difference [SMD], −0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.42 to 0.00). Furthermore, improvements in physical well-being (SMD, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09–0.41) and emotional well-being (SMD, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.01–0.40) were observed, as were nonsignificant trends toward improvement in vigor (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, −0.02 to 0.38), mitigated nausea (SMD, 0.38; 95% CI, −0.09 to 0.85), dyspnea (SMD, 0.27; 95% CI, −0.04 to 0.59), and anxiety (mean difference, −0.97; 95% CI, −2.12 to 0.18).ConclusionsGinseng consumption alleviates CRF and may have certain benefits in improving QoL especially physical well-being.Implications for PracticeGinseng may be used as an energy or nutrient supplement to alleviate CRF. However, the concentration of ginseng’s functional components is affected by the production methods and thus probably its effects. Oncology nurses are encouraged to have a better understanding of the benefits and functional limitations of ginseng as an energy or nutrient supplement for CRF.

Ginseng and health outcomes: an umbrella review

“…Subsequently, 719 records were excluded after reviewing the titles and abstracts. The full-texts of the remaining 81 records were evaluated, and 19 studies ( Jang et al, 2008 ; Seida et al, 2011 ; Bach et al, 2016 ; Duan et al, 2018 ; Ghorbani and Mirghafourvand, 2019 ; Mohammadi et al, 2019 ; Saboori et al, 2019 ; Antonelli et al, 2020 ; Ghavami et al, 2020 ; Miraghajani et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Sha’ari et al, 2021 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ; Ikeuchi et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Luo and Huang, 2022 ; Naseri et al, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ; Zhu et al, 2022 ) were involved in the final analysis. The flow chart for the study selection process is shown in Figure 1 .…”

“…These studies were published in peer-reviewed journals in eight geographical regions, including five studies each from Korea ( Jang et al, 2008 ; Bach et al, 2016 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ) and Iran ( Ghorbani and Mirghafourvand, 2019 ; Mohammadi et al, 2019 ; Saboori et al, 2019 ; Ghavami et al, 2020 ; Miraghajani et al, 2020 ); four from China ( Duan et al, 2018 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ; Luo and Huang, 2022 ; Zhu et al, 2022 ); and one each from Italy ( Antonelli et al, 2020 ), Canada ( Seida et al, 2011 ), Japan ( Ikeuchi et al, 2022 ), Australia ( An et al, 2011 ), and Malaysia ( Sha’ari et al, 2021 ). Eight studies had registered their protocols prior to publication ( Antonelli et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Sha’ari et al, 2021 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ; Ikeuchi et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Luo and Huang, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ). The RCTs number involved in every meta-analysis varied between two and 28, and the total number of participants ranged between 123 and 2,503.…”

“…The RCTs number involved in every meta-analysis varied between two and 28, and the total number of participants ranged between 123 and 2,503. Except for two studies conducted in healthy participants ( Seida et al, 2011 ; Ikeuchi et al, 2022 ) and four that included both healthy controls and patients ( Bach et al, 2016 ; Antonelli et al, 2020 ; Ghavami et al, 2020 ; Miraghajani et al, 2020 ), all remaining studies were conducted in patients with indications for ginseng use ( Jang et al, 2008 ; Duan et al, 2018 ; Ghorbani and Mirghafourvand, 2019 ; Mohammadi et al, 2019 ; Saboori et al, 2019 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Sha’ari et al, 2021 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Luo and Huang, 2022 ; Naseri et al, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ; Zhu et al, 2022 ). Moreover, 17 meta-analyses focused on placebo-controlled trials ( Jang et al, 2008 ; Seida et al, 2011 ; Bach et al, 2016 ; Ghorbani and Mirghafourvand, 2019 ; Mohammadi et al, 2019 ; Saboori et al, 2019 ; Antonelli et al, 2020 ; Ghavami et al, 2020 ; Miraghajani et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ; Sha’ari et al, 2021 ; Ikeuchi et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Luo and Huang, 2022 ; Naseri et al, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ; Zhu et al, 2022 ), whereas two focused on eligible combinations (such as with usual medication) ( Duan et al, 2018 ; Zhu et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Frontiers in Pharmacology frontiersin.org Ghavami et al, 2020;Miraghajani et al, 2020;Lee et al, 2021;Sha'ari et al, 2021;Ikeuchi et al, 2022;Lee et al, 2022;Luo and Huang, 2022;Naseri et al, 2022;Park et al, 2022;Zhu et al, 2022), whereas two focused on eligible combinations (such as with usual medication) (Duan et al, 2018;Zhu et al, 2021). Most studies reported the type of ginseng, which mainly included Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and red ginseng.…”

Naturheilkunde und Integrative Medizin bei Cancer-Related Fatigue

“…Oral eingenommener Amerikanischer Ginseng kann bei einer Dosis von 2 g täglich über mindestens 4 Wochen die Fatigue um 65 % reduzieren. Mögliche Wechselwirkungen mit anderen Medikamenten sind zu beachten [44].…”