Short-Term Panax Ginseng Extract Supplementation Reduces Fasting Blood Triacylglycerides and Oxygen Consumption during Sub-Maximal Aerobic Exercise in Male Recreational Athletes

Abstract

Ginseng, a popular herbal supplement among athletes, is believed to enhance exercise capacity and performance. This study investigated the short-term effects of Panax ginseng extract (PG) on aerobic capacity, lipid profile, and cytokines. In a 14-day randomized, double-blind trial, male participants took 500 mg of PG daily. Two experiments were conducted: one in 10 km races (n = 31) and another in a laboratory-controlled aerobic capacity test (n = 20). Blood lipid and cytokine profile, ventilation, oxygen consumption, hemodynamic and fatigue parameters, and race time were evaluated. PG supplementation led to reduced total blood lipid levels, particularly in triacylglycerides (10 km races −7.5 mg/dL (95% CI −42 to 28); sub-maximal aerobic test −14.2 mg/dL (95% CI −52 to 23)), while post-exercise blood IL-10 levels were increased (10 km 34.0 pg/mL (95% CI −2.1 to 70.1); sub-maximal aerobic test 4.1 pg/mL (95% CI −2.8 to 11.0)), and oxygen consumption decreased during the sub-maximal aerobic test (VO2: −1.4 mL/min/kg (95% CI −5.8 to −0.6)). No significant differences were noted in race time, hemodynamic, or fatigue parameters. Overall, PG supplementation for 2 weeks showed benefits in blood lipid profile and energy consumption during exercise among recreational athletes. This suggests a potential role for PG in enhancing exercise performance and metabolic health in this population.