title: Anti-Fatigue Effects of Enzyme-Modified Ginseng Extract: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ginseng saponin is known to have biological activities in maintaining homeostasis and enhancing vital energy. Enzyme-modified ginseng extract (EMGE) was designed to increase the content of its active constituents and to intensify biological activity. The present study investigated the anti-fatigue effects of EMGE in healthy adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two healthy subjects met the diagnostic criteria and were randomly allocated into one of two groups: EMGE (2,000 mg/day) or placebo. EMGE or placebo were administered to each group for 4 weeks. Fatigue scores using the Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale (VAFS) and Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (RPFS) were considered as the primary outcome measure. Life-quality scores were investigated using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The safety and adverse effects of EMGE were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference in the VAFS scores VAFS between the treatment and placebo groups after 4 weeks. The treatment group's score decreased more than that of the placebo group. There was no difference in the RPFS and SF-36 scores between the two groups. There were no fatal adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMGE treatment for 4 weeks decreased fatigue severity in a healthy population. Adverse effects were rare, and EMGE was generally well tolerated. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials of EMGE are justified in order to elucidate the underlying mechanism of EMGE in combating fatigue.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Cheonan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University , Cheonan, South Korea .
authors.forename: Namhun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Information and Statistics, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, South Korea .
authors.forename: Suk-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Brain & Neuroscience, Dunsan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University , Daejeon, South Korea .
authors.forename: Ho-Ryong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: 4 East West Cancer Center, Dunsan Korean Medical Hospital, Daejeon University , Daejeon, South Korea .
authors.forename: Hwa Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: anti-fatigue; enzyme-modified ginseng extract; randomized controlled trial