title: Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.
abstract: Ginseng alone or combined with other herbs has been increasingly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral Ginseng formulae for stable COPD. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane risk of bias and Jadad's scale. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.0. Twelve studies overall of low quality, involving 1560 participants were included. Results of three studies showed a mean difference (MD) of 0.30 (95%CI 0.02 to 0.58) for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) improvement of Ginseng formulae versus placebo control. Findings of three studies revealed an MD of 9.43 (95%CI 3.64 to 15.21) of FEV(1) % predicted between Ginseng formulae and placebo control. Quality of life (Qol) measured by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire was improved (MD -10.32, 95%CI -14.99 to -5.65) with Ginseng formulae plus pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy alone in one study. There were no severe adverse events reported. Ginseng formulae for stable COPD patients show promising evidence of lung functions and Qol improvement. However, the degree of benefit is uncertain due to potential risk of bias of the included studies.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Chinese Medicine, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. s3059829@student.rmit.edu.au
authors.forename: Xuedong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Anthony Lin
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Angela Weihong
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Darong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xinfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Johannah Linda
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shergis
authors.forename: Francis Chung Kong
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Thien
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Worsnop
authors.forename: Charlie Changli
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xue
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations