No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2025
Although numerous clinical studies suggest that ginseng supplementation may benefit CVD risk factors, results remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of ginseng supplementation on CVD-related risk factors. Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches in Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and CENTRAL up to August 2024. Statistical analyses, including a random effects model, meta-regression and non-linear modelling, were used to assess heterogeneity, dose–response relationships and the overall effects of ginseng supplementation. A total of 70 studies, published between 1998 and 2024 and involving 4506 participants, were included. Ginseng supplementation significantly affected several biochemical markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (standardised mean difference (SMD): −0·23; 95 % CI: −0·38, −0·08; P = 0·002), gamma-glutamyl transferase (SMD: −0·20; 95 % CI: −0·36, −0·04; P = 0·015), glutathione reductase (SMD: 0·90; 95 % CI: 0·38, 1·42; P = 0·001), reactive oxygen species (SMD: −0·94; 95 % CI: −1·27, −0·60; P < 0·001) and superoxide dismutase (SMD: 0·48; 95 % CI: 0·10, 0·87; P = 0·014). Meta-regression analysis showed significant linear associations between ginseng dosage and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (P = 0·044) and between supplementation duration and malondialdehyde (P = 0·007). Dose–response analysis revealed significant associations between ginseng dose and fasting blood glucose (P < 0·001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0·043), IL-6 (P = 0·041), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0·022), IL-10 (P = 0·048), fasting insulin (P = 0·012) and total protein (P = 0·010). Supplementation duration was positively associated with malondialdehyde levels (P = 0·008). Ginseng supplementation was associated with improvements in inflammatory markers, liver function and oxidative stress parameters. No significant effects were observed on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, glycaemic profile, lipid profile, adipokines or heart rate.