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.

Keywords: Panax ginseng; blood lipids; endurance; recreational athletes; sub-maximal aerobic capacity.

Figure 1

Workflow of the sub-maximal aerobic exercise test.

Figure 2

Recruitment flow chart.

Figure 3

The effect of PG extract supplementation on changes in physical performance during the sub-maximal exercise test. The graphs describe the differences in physical performance parameters at time 0 and after 2 weeks of supplementation. Significantly (* p < 0.05) lower levels of VO₂/kg of body weight were observed in the volunteers treated with PG (A), while no differences were observed in ventilation (B), respiratory coefficient (C), heart rate (D), or effort perception determined by the Borg’s scale (E). Regarding blood parameters, no differences in plasma lactate and glycerol levels during the sub-maximal exercise test after 2 weeks of PG supplementation are described in (F,H). Finally, a reduction in energy cost (G) during the sub-maximal test was observed in the PG group.