Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30729756›Full record

SynthesisBrain and behavior2019

A systematic review of research investigating the physiological and psychological effects of combining Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng into a single treatment in humans: Implications for research design and analysis.

Jonathon Lee Reay, Paul van Schaik, Christopher James Wilson

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Brain and behavior, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Combination ofFrontiers in pharmacology · 2022
    Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Enhanced Neuroprotective Effects ofInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2019
    Article
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Jonathon Lee ReayDepartment of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8252-1218
Paul van SchaikDepartment of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Christopher James WilsonDepartment of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background and purposeThe traditional herbal supplements Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba are self-medicated by members of the general public and prescribed by healthcare professionals in some EU countries for numerous health complaints. Clinical evidence is mixed and mechanisms of action are not fully understood. There is clinical interest into the synergistic effects of combining both herbs.

methodsWe systematically review the literature investigating the effects of combination treatments on physiological and psychological outcomes in humans. We identified all studies meeting inclusion criteria: (a) written in English; (b) peer-reviewed; (c) conducted in humans; (d) including either a proprietary Panax ginseng/Ginkgo biloba treatment or a study preparation containing both; (e) placebo-controlled; (f) utilizing standardized extracts. We critically discuss each trial; calculate standardized effect sizes where possible and provide recommendations for research design and analysis.

resultsEight studies were identified and all investigated a proprietary combination treatment, Gincosan

conclusionsA Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba combination treatment can improve aspects of physiological and cognitive function in humans; however, evidence for synergy requires further investigation and future research should directly investigate synergy following repeated dosing.

Indexed as

CognitionGinkgo bilobaHumansMemoryPanaxPhytotherapyPlant ExtractsPlants, MedicinalTreatment OutcomeGincosanPlant Extractscognitive functionGincosanGinkgo bilobamemoryPanax ginseng

Identifiers

PMID30729756
PMCPMC6422825

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.