How It Works
Bottom Line: Siberian ginseng does not enhance athletic performance nor treat or prevent cancer.
Scientists are unsure how Siberian ginseng works. Compounds from the plant have been shown to stimulate cells of immune system and protect the nervous system but no large scale clinical trials have been conducted. Other studies have shown that Siberian ginseng supplements brought down LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels and improved the HDL (good cholesterol) levels in postmenopausal women. More studies are needed.
Purported Uses
To reduce the side effects from chemotherapy
No scientific evidence supports this use.
To stimulate the immune system
Laboratory studies show that Siberian ginseng can stimulate certain aspects of the immune system, but there is no proof from clinical trials that it can help people fight infections or disease.
To increase strength and stamina
Clinical trials do not support this use.
Research Evidence
Improving athletic performance:
The effect of Siberian ginseng (eleuthero extract) on exercise performance was studied in a group of healthy volunteers. For six weeks, 16 volunteers randomly received either 60 drops of eleuthero extract or a placebo liquid. At the end of the study, those subjects taking eleuthero showed no better performance than those taking the placebo, indicating that eleuthero extract is not effective for this use. However, the researchers conducting this study commented that they might not have used a large enough dose or group of volunteers, and therefore additional clinical trials would be useful.
Warnings
This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Physicians have reported cases in which Siberian ginseng was contaminated with the wrong botanical, and laboratory analysis found that some products did not contain the amounts of the herb they claimed.
Do Not Take If
You are taking hexobarbital (Eleuthero can elevate the levels of this medication in the blood, which may cause more of its side effects).
You are taking digoxin (Eleuthero can elevate the levels of this medication in the blood, which may cause more of its side effects).
You have high blood pressure.
You are taking insulin or hypoglycemic medications for diabetes (in theory, eleuthero can have additive effects and lower your blood glucose even more. Use with caution and ask your doctor).
You regularly drink caffeinated beverages (Eleuthero can have additive effects, leading to insomnia or nervousness. Use with caution).
Side Effects
Insomnia
Drowsiness
Nervousness
Fast heart rate
Headache
Low blood sugar levels
Special Point
Scientific Name
Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acanthopanax senticosus
Common Name
Eleuthero, Russian ginseng, devil's shrub, touch-me-not, wild pepper, shigoka, ci wu ja
Brand Name
Eleu-Kokk®
Clinical Summary
Siberian ginseng, or eleuthero, has been used traditionally as an adaptogen, performance enhancer, and immunostimulant (1). Siberian ginseng is not a species of ginseng, but is thought to have comparable activities (11). Active components are thought to include several eleutherosides and polysaccharides (2) (3). Eleuthero extract has been shown to bind to estrogen, progestin, and mineralocorticoid receptors (16), and stimulate T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell production (4). Siberian ginseng supplementation may help reduce cholesterolpostmenopausal women (5). In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that Siberian ginseng extracts have neuroprotective effect (6) and may reduce glucose levels in an insulin-deficient animals (7). Large randomized trials have not been conducted in humans. Adverse events include drowsiness, tachycardia, nervousness, and possible hypoglycemia. Siberian ginseng may interact with digoxin (9), insulin and hypoglycemics agents (10).
Purported uses
Chemotherapy side effects
Health maintenance
Immunostimulation
Strength and stamina
Constituents
Terpenoids: Oleanolic acid
Glycosides: Eleutheroside A (daucosterin), B1, C - G
Phytosterols: Beta-sitosterol
Coumarins: Eleutheroside B1 and B3, isofraxidine
Polysaccharides: Eleutherans
Others: Volatile oils, caffeic acid, coniferyl aldehyde, glucose, maltose, sucrose
(2) (3) (8) (11)
Mechanism of Action
In vitro studies indicate that eleuthero contains chemicals that bind to estrogen, progestin, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid receptors (16). Siberian ginseng supplementation reduced LDL cholesterol levels as well as improved LDL/HDL ratios in postmenopausal women (5). Stimulation of helper/inductor T lymphocytes and natural killer cells also occurs by an unknown mechanism (11). In macrophages, a Siberian ginseng extract suppressed LPS-induced iNOS expression and thus nitric oxide production by possibly inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B activity (12) (13) or Akt and JNK signaling (13). In addition, Siberian ginseng extract inhibited reactive oxygen species production (14).
Warnings
Contraindications
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Insomnia, drowsiness, nervousness, tachycardia, headache, hypoglycemia (11)
Herb-Drug Interactions
Insulin / hypoglycemics: Theoretical additive hypoglycemic effect
(10).
Barbiturates: Eleuthero inhibits metabolism possibly by inhibition of cytochrome p450 2C19
(10).
Digoxin: Elevate serum digoxin levels
(9).
Monomycin / Kanamycin: Increases efficacy of these antibiotics due to enhanced T-lymphocyte activity
(10).
Lab Interactions
Siberian ginseng may cause falsely elevated digoxin serum assays (9).
Literature Summary and Critique
Lee YJ, Chung HY, Kwak HK, Yoon S. The effects of A. senticosus supplementation on serum lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and lymphocyte DNA damage in postmenopausal women. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Oct 10 2008;375(1):44-48.
To determine the effects of Siberian ginseng supplementation on blood lipid levels and oxidative stress, 40 postmenopausal women randomly divided into either a control group receiving calcium (500 mg/day) or an experimental group receiving both calcium and A. senticosus capsules (500 mg tid). After 6 months, blood lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and lymphocytic DNA damage was assessed along with hepatoxicity. Serum LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, lymphocytic DNA damage, and oxidative stress was significantly reduced in the treatment group while the control group did not experience any changes. Furthermore, no side effects were noted during this study. Further studies are required to determine if
A. senticosus supplementation produces long term benefits in other study populations.
Dowling EA, et al. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on submaximal and maximal exercise performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1996;28:482-9.A prospective pair evaluation of 6 week supplementation, with either 60 drops of eleuthero extract (eleutheroside B and E) or placebo. Effects on performance, blood chemistry, and personal perception were recorded. Sixteen subjects were paired and analyzed for 6 weeks on therapy and 2 weeks after discontinuation. No significant difference was documented in any of the indices evaluated including heart rate, oxygenation, serum lactate, time to exhaustion, and psychological measurements. No adverse reactions were noted. The authors conclude that the study may have been underpowered or an inadequate dose of eleuthro was studied. Additional studies are required.
References
- Harkey MR, et al. Variability in commercial ginseng products: an analysis of 25 preparations. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:1101-6.
- Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999.
- Newall C, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals, 1st ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
- Szolomicki J, Samochowiec L, Wojcicki J, Drozdzik M, Szolomicki S. The influence of active components of Eleutherococcus senticosus on cellular defence and physical fitness in man. Phytother Res. 2000 Feb;14(1):30-5. Erratum in: Phytother Res 2000 May;14(3):225.
- Lee YJ, Chung HY, Kwak HK, Yoon S. The effects of A. senticosus supplementation on serum lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and lymphocyte DNA damage in postmenopausal women. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Oct 10 2008;375(1):44-48.
- Tohda C, Ichimura M, Bai Y, et al. Inhibitory effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts on amyloid beta(25-35)-induced neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. J Pharmacol Sci. Jul 2008;107(3):329-339.
- Niu HS, Liu IM, Cheng JT, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of syringin from Eleutherococcus senticosus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Planta Med. Feb 2008;74(2):109-113.
- Baranov AI. Medicinal uses of ginseng and related plants in the Soviet Union: recent trends in the Soviet literature. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;6:339-53.
- McRae S. Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng. CMAJ 1996;155:293-5.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd ed. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.
- Schulz V, et al. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine, 4th ed. New York: Springer; 2001.
- Lin QY, Jin LJ, Cao ZH, Xu YP. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase by Acanthopanax senticosus extract in RAW264.7 macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol. Jul 23 2008;118(2):231-236.
- Jung CH, Jung H, Shin YC, et al. Eleutherococcus senticosus extract attenuates LPS-induced iNOS expression through the inhibition of Akt and JNK pathways in murine macrophage. J Ethnopharmacol. Aug 15 2007;113(1):183-187.
- Lin QY, Jin LJ, Cao ZH, et al. Acanthopanax senticosus suppresses reactive oxygen species production by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Phytother Res. Jun 2008;22(6):740-745.
- Dowling EA, et al. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on submaximal and maximal exercise performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1996;28:482-9.
- Pearce PT, Zois I, Wynne KN, et al. Panax ginseng and Eleuthrococcus senticosus extracts--in vitro studies on binding to steroid receptors. Endocrinol Jpn. 1982 Oct;29(5):567-73.
