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Elt3.5
Eleuthero Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
15 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Eleuthero studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 1986–2022 with a typical study size of 92 participants.
Based on 15 studies · 5 RCTs · 581 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidence
What the studies found
1helped· 14 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Endurance & exercise performanceA systematic review of rigorous trials found no endurance advantage · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Energy & fatigueTraditionally used for fatigue and energy, but controlled trials have not demonstrated benefit · 2-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Too few graded studies2 studies
Anxiety & stressTraditional adaptogen for stress, but human HPA-axis effects remain unclear in trials · 2-4 weeks · Adaptogenic stress claims are unproven in controlled human trials · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Cognitive function
Too few graded studies1 study
Women's health
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 8 studies with measurable effects
People studied
581
typical study: 92 people
Strongest designs
5
0 pooled, 5 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
1/1 studies
Populations Studied
Human subjects1
Cancer patients1
Hypertensive patients1
General population1
Steady research
2 studies in the last 5 years
198620042022
1Systematic ReviewCited 60×2021
The data from the meta-analysis showed that plant adaptogens could provide a number of benefits in the treatment of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune protection.
Todorova V et al. · Nutrients (2021)
Extracts from Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Rhaponticum carthamoides, Rhodiola rosea, and Schisandra chinensis are considered to be naturally occurring adaptogens and, in particular, plant adaptogens.
About 50 years ago, plant adaptogens were first used in professional sports due to their high potential to increase the body's resistance to stress and to improve physical endurance.
Although now many people take plant adaptogens, the clinical trials on human are limited.
This paper reviews recent findings on the pharmacological properties of A. senticosus, with a focus on its anticancer effects.
Li T et al. · The American journal of Chinese medicine (2016)
In the past decades, researchers worldwide have conducted systematic investigations on this herb, from chemistry to pharmacology, and a large number of chemical components have been characterized for their significant pharmacological effects.
However, reports about the anticancer effects of this plant had been rare until recently, when considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo were conducted to study the anticancer effects of this herb.
A. senticosus has been found to have inhibitory effects on malignant tumors, such as those in the lung and liver, suggesting that A. senticosus has potential to be developed as an effective anticancer drug.
4Blood pressure effects of dietary supplementsSystematic ReviewCited 32×2012
The goals and objectives of this review are to discuss the regulation of DS, evaluate the efficacy of particular DS in the treatment of hypertension, and highlight DS that may potentially increase blood pressure.
Rasmussen CB et al. · Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) (2012)
Patients with hypertension often choose to use these products either in addition to or instead of pharmacologic antihypertensive agents.
Because of the frequent use of DS, both consumers and health care providers should be aware of the considerable issues surrounding these products and factors influencing both efficacy and safety.
The goals and objectives of this review are to discuss the regulation of DS, evaluate the efficacy of particular DS in the treatment of hypertension, and highlight DS that may potentially increase blood pressure.
5Pharmacological activities of Acanthopanax senticosusSystematic ReviewCited 118×2011
The present review is an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical trials of AS.
Huang L et al. · Die Pharmazie (2011)
In recent decades, a great number of chemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies on AS have been carried out worldwide.
Several kinds of chemical compounds have been reported, including triterpenoid saponins, lignans, coumarins, and flavones, among which, phenolic compounds such as syringin and eleutheroside E, were considered to be the most active components.
Considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo have persuasively demonstrated that AS possessed anti-stress, antiulcer, anti-irradiation, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, etc.
6Complementary medicine efficacy for genital herpesSystematic ReviewCited 9×2005
It is hoped that future clinical trials will be conducted with sufficient rigour to provide guidance to the patients using these products.
Perfect MM et al. · Herpes : the journal of the IHMF (2005)
We have reviewed available scientific data on six commonly used treatments (echinacea, eleuthero, L-lysine, zinc, bee products and aloe).
In addition, information about a number of other products is presented in tabular form.
Currently, there are insufficient clinical data to be confident of the efficacy and safety of any of these products for the treatment of genital herpes.
7Systematic ReviewCited 19×2005
It is therefore concluded that ES supplementation (up to 1000 to 1200 mg/d for 1 to 6 wk) offers no advantage during exercise ranging in duration from 6 to 120 min.
Goulet ED et al. · International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2005)
This article reviews the studies that evaluated the effects of ES during endurance exercise, three of which suggest that ES substantially improves CF, FAM, and EP.
However, each of these reports contains severe methodological flaws, which seriously threaten their internal validity, thereby rendering hazardous the generalization of the results.
On the other hand, 5 studies that used rigorous research protocols show no benefit of ES on CF, FAM, and EP.
Although our study could not find additional benefits for the vitamin E and ginseng supplement over placebo in enhancing sexual function overall, the supplement worked better in enhancing sexual desire and satisfaction.
Ghamari K et al. · Women & health (2020)
Changes in the FSFI total score and its domain scores were significant during the trial course within each group.
However, the supplement only ameliorated desire and satisfaction domains superior to the placebo.
Although our study could not find additional benefits for the vitamin E and ginseng supplement over placebo in enhancing sexual function overall, the supplement worked better in enhancing sexual desire and satisfaction.
The multi-ingredient product's potential enhancement of FAO during exercise, satiety, and RPE reduction suggests an acute effectiveness of SHRED in improving the exercise-related fat loss benefits.
Alkhatib A et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015)
FAO increased in SHRED from Pre1 to Pre2 [0.56 ± 0.26 to 0.96 ± 0.37, (p = 0.003, d =1.34)] but not in PL [0.67 ± 0.25 to 0.74 ± 0.19, (p = 0.334) d = 0.49], with no differences were found between conditions (p = 0.12, d = 0.49).
However, Cohen's d = 0.77 revealed moderate effect size in favor of SHRED from Pre to Post exercise.
However, a trend was shown towards improved satiety in SHRED compared with PL, [F(1,11) = 3.58, p = 0.085].
10Chronic fatigue reductionRCTCited 31×n=96 · small study2004
Overall efficacy was not demonstrated. However, the findings of possible efficacy for patients with moderate fatigue suggests that further research may be of value.
Hartz AJ et al. · Psychological Medicine (2004)
Fatigue among subjects assigned to either placebo or Siberian ginseng was substantially reduced during the study, but differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant in the full sample.
Treatment was effective at 2 months for 45 subjects with less severe fatigue (P = 0.04 unadjusted for multiple comparisons).
11Athletic endurance performanceRCTn=30 · small study1986
Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity.
Asano K et al. · Planta Medica (1986)
Examined the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human maximal physical working capacity
12RCTCited 39×n=351 · medium study2005
Despite inherent challenges, the study of alternative therapies for menopause symptoms is a rewarding and important area deserving of further inquiry.
Newton KM et al. · Maturitas (2005)
Independent testing of herbal products was vital to confirming their constituents.
The Data and Safety and Monitoring Committee, and project officers at the funding agency, were critical partners in designing responses to unanticipated Women's Health Initiative findings published during the HALT trial.
Careful monitoring of adverse events may provide much needed information about side effects of herbal products and supplements.
The ability of E. senticosus root and bark extracts to promote polarization of human macrophages towards anti-inflammatory M2a and M2b phenotypes, respectively, might underlay the immunoregulatory activities and point to potential wound healing promoting effects of this medicinal plant.
Jin L et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2020)
In addition, treatment with E. senticosus root and bark extracts decreased phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473 and significantly reduced expression of the hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 by macrophages.
The ability of E. senticosus root and bark extracts to promote polarization of human macrophages towards anti-inflammatory M2a and M2b phenotypes, respectively, might underlay the immunoregulatory activities and point to potential wound healing promoting effects of this medicinal plant.
14OATP-B function inhibitionObservationalCited 103×2006
These results suggest that coadministration of some dietary supplements may decrease the absorption of orally administered substrates of OATP-B.
Fuchikami H et al. · Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals (2006)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
At concentration levels considered likely to be attainable in the human intestine, extracts of bilberry, echinacea, green tea, banaba, grape seed, ginkgo, and soybean potently inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 75.5, 55.5, 82.1, 61.1, 64.5, 85.4, and 66.8%, respectively (P < 0.01).
The extracts of mulberry, black cohosh, and Siberian ginseng moderately (but significantly) inhibited estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 39.1, 47.2, and 49.2%, respectively (P < 0.05).
Moreover, flavonol glycosides and catechins significantly inhibited the function of OATP-B, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of the herbal extracts on OATP-B may be primarily attributable to flavonoids.
Finally, we investigated whether the consumption of Siberian ginseng powder improves edema in a 2-way, randomized, crossover study in 50 healthy female volunteers.
Fukada K et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2016)
Finally, we investigated whether the consumption of Siberian ginseng powder improves edema in a 2-way, randomized, crossover study in 50 healthy female volunteers.
Edema of the lower limbs was significantly attenuated at 2 and 4hours after ingestion as compared with the control group.
Thus, we demonstrate that Siberian ginseng exerts its potent antiedema activity mainly by promoting lymphatic function.