Journal of Ginseng Research

The Korean Society of Ginseng (고려인삼학회)
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Preventive effects of ginseng against atherosclerosis and subsequent ischemic stroke: A randomized controlled trial (PEGASUS trial)

  • Kwon, Boseong (Neurointervention Clinic, Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Song, Yunsun (Neurointervention Clinic, Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Joong-Goo (Department of Neurology, Jeju National University Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Dongwhane (Department of Neurology, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-hun (Department of Neurology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Young-Keol (Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jong S. (Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Suh, Dae Chul (Neurointervention Clinic, Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2021.05.17
  • Accepted : 2021.11.04
  • Published : 2022.07.01
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Abstract

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with atherosclerosis, suggesting that KRG extract may be effective in preventing subsequent ischemic stroke in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized patients with severe atherosclerosis in major intracranial arteries or extracranial carotid artery, to ginseng group and placebo group. They were given two 500-mg KRG tablets or identical placebo tablets twice daily for 12 months according to randomization. The primary endpoint was the composite of cerebral ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack during 12 months after randomization. The secondary endpoints were change in volumetric blood flow of the intracranial vessels and the incidence of newly developed asymptomatic ischemic lesions. Any adverse events were monitored. Results: Fifty-eight patients were randomized from June 2016 to June 2017, 29 to ginseng and 29 to placebo, and 52 (28 and 24, respectively) completed the study. One patient in the placebo group, but none in the ginseng group, experienced ischemic symptoms (p = 0.46). Changes in volumetric blood flow and the presence of ischemic brain lesions did not differ significantly in the two groups, and none of these patients experienced adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: Ginseng was well tolerated by patients with severe atherosclerosis, with these patients showing good compliance with ginseng dosing. Ginseng did not show significant effects compared with placebo, although none of the ginseng-treated patients experienced ischemic events. Long-term studies in larger patient populations are required to test the effect of ginseng.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Bioedit [https://www.bioedit.com] for editing and reviewing this manuscript for English language.

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