Supplementary Material for: Cognitive Benefits of Ginseng: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Changes in MMSE and ADAS-cog Scores

Background: Despite the potential cognitive benefits of ginseng, evidence of its effects on cognitive function remains limited. We aimed to evaluate the association between ginseng and cognitive function through a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Methods: We searched six databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Korean Studies
Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and ScienceON, for RCTs investigating the effects of ginseng on cognitive function up to April 26, 2024. Two independent researchers assessed the methodological quality and risk of bias of the extracted studies. Data were presented as the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and a subgroup analysis was performed based on ginseng dosage

Results: Eight studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results suggested that ginseng may have a potential effect on cognitive improvement. Ginseng consumption showed a significant effect on increasing Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores (MD = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.03, 1.32; p = 0.04; I² = 66%). For Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), a significant reduction in scores was observed in both the total (MD = -1.10; 95% CI: -1.82, -0.38; p = 0.003; I² = 0%) and low-dose groups (MD = -1.09; 95% CI: -1.96, -0.22; p = 0.01; I² = 0%).
Conclusion: Ginseng consumption was found to be beneficial for changes in certain cognitive function-related indicators. However, further research is required to determine the long-term effects of ginseng based on dosage.

背景：尽管人参具有潜在的认知益处，但目前关于其对认知功能影响的相关证据仍较为有限。本研究旨在通过对近期随机对照试验（Randomized Controlled Trial, RCT）的系统评价与荟萃分析，探讨人参与认知功能之间的关联。
方法：本研究检索了截至2024年4月26日的6个数据库，包括PubMed、Embase、Cochrane图书馆、韩国研究信息服务系统（Korean Studies Information Service System, KISS）、研究信息共享服务（Research Information Sharing Service, RISS）以及ScienceON，以获取探讨人参对认知功能影响的RCT研究。由两名独立研究者对纳入研究的方法学质量及偏倚风险进行评估。研究数据以均数差（mean difference, MD）联合95%置信区间（confidence interval, CI）的形式呈现，并基于人参给药剂量进行亚组分析。
结果：本荟萃分析共纳入8项研究。结果显示，人参可能对认知功能改善具有潜在作用。人参摄入可显著提高简易精神状态检查表（Mini-mental state examination, MMSE）评分（均数差=0.68；95%置信区间：0.03~1.32；p=0.04；I²=66%）。针对阿尔茨海默病评估量表-认知子量表（Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale, ADAS-cog），总体分析及低剂量亚组均观察到评分显著降低（总体分析：均数差=-1.10；95%置信区间：-1.82~-0.38；p=0.003；I²=0%；低剂量亚组：均数差=-1.09；95%置信区间：-1.96~-0.22；p=0.01；I²=0%）。
结论：本研究发现，人参摄入对部分认知功能相关指标的改善具有积极作用。但未来仍需开展进一步研究，以明确不同给药剂量下人参的长期认知影响。