Effects of Korean red ginseng on cognitive and motor function: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Hye Bin Yeo, Ho Kyoung Yoon, Heon Jeong Lee, Seung Gul Kang, Ki Young Jung, Leen Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ginseng has a long history of use for health enhancement, and there is some evidence from animal studies that it has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng on cognitive performance in humans. A total of 15 healthy young males with no psychiatric or cognitive problems were selected based on an interview with a board-certified psychiatrist. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 4,500 mg red ginseng or placebo for a 2-week trial. There were 8 subjects in the red ginseng group and 7 subjects in the placebo group. All of the subjects were analyzed with the Vienna test system and a P300 event-related potential (ERP) test. There were no significant differences in the Vienna test system scores between the red ginseng group and the placebo group. In the event-related potential test, the C3 latency of the red ginseng group tended to decrease during the study period (p=0.005). After 2 wk, significant decreases were observed in the P300 latencies at Cz (p=0.008), C3 (p=0.005), C4 (p=0.002), and C mean (p=0.003) in the red ginseng group. Our results suggest that the decreased latency in ERP is associated with improved cognitive function. Further studies with a higher dosage of ginseng, a larger sample size, and a longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)190-197
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Ginseng Research
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Apr

Keywords

  • Cognitive and motor function
  • Evoked potentials
  • Korean red ginseng
  • Panax ginseng
  • Vienna test system

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)
  • Complementary and alternative medicine

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