Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Int J Neurosci. 2013 Jul;123(7):480-6. doi: 10.3109/00207454.2013.764499. Epub 2013 Feb 11.
Fatigue is one of the common complaints of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and its treatment is relatively unclear. Ginseng is one of the herbal medicines possessing antifatigue properties, and its administration in MS for such a purpose has been scarcely evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ginseng in the treatment of fatigue and the quality of life of MS patients.
Eligible female MS patients were randomized in a double-blind manner, to receive 250-mg ginseng or placebo twice daily over 3 months. Outcome measures included the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the Iranian version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality Of Life Questionnaire (MSQOL-54). The questionnaires were used after randomization, and again at the end of the study.
Of 60 patients who were enrolled in the study, 52 (86%) subjects completed the trial with good drug tolerance. Statistical analysis showed better effects for ginseng than the placebo as regards MFIS (p = 0.046) and MSQOL (p ≤ 0.0001) after 3 months. No serious adverse events were observed during follow-up.
This study indicates that 3-month ginseng treatment can reduce fatigue and has a significant positive effect on quality of life. Ginseng is probably a good candidate for the relief of MS-related fatigue. Further studies are needed to shed light on the efficacy of ginseng in this field.
疲劳是多发性硬化症（MS）患者常见的抱怨之一，其治疗方法尚不清楚。人参是具有抗疲劳特性的草药之一，其在 MS 中的此类用途尚未得到充分评估。本研究的目的是评估人参治疗疲劳和 MS 患者生活质量的疗效和安全性。
符合条件的女性 MS 患者以双盲方式随机分为两组，分别接受 250mg 人参或安慰剂，每日两次，持续 3 个月。评估指标包括改良疲劳影响量表（MFIS）和伊朗多发性硬化症生活质量问卷（MSQOL-54）。在随机分组后和研究结束时使用这些问卷。
在纳入研究的 60 名患者中，52 名（86%）患者具有良好的药物耐受性完成了试验。统计分析显示，人参组在 MFIS（p=0.046）和 MSQOL（p≤0.0001）方面的效果优于安慰剂组，在 3 个月后。在随访期间未观察到严重不良事件。
本研究表明，3 个月的人参治疗可减轻疲劳，对生活质量有显著的积极影响。人参可能是缓解 MS 相关疲劳的良好候选药物。需要进一步的研究来阐明人参在这一领域的疗效。
