International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802112013022410451051ENCardiovascular Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranYoung Researchers Club, Mashhad Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran3Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine Research Department, ACECR-Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran5Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Mayfi eld House, Falmer, Brighton20130224<p><strong>Background: </strong>Because of the conflicting results from previous studies regarding the efficacy of <em>ginseng </em>on lipid profile and anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of its components, we aimed to evaluate the effects of <em>Panax ginseng </em>on lipid profile, pro-oxidant &ndash; anti-oxidant status and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty Iranian hyperlipidemic patients were randomly assigned to placebo (<em>n </em>= 20) or control (<em>n </em>= 20) groups in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. The <em>ginseng </em>or placebo was taken two capsules twice a day for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine and hs-CRP levels and pro-oxidant &ndash; anti-oxidant balance (PAB) were estimated before and after intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in serum TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C levels. Nor were there significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in hs-CRP level and PAB from baseline to week 8.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study demonstrates that <em>ginseng </em>does not have significant effects on lipid profile, Hs-CRP level and PAB. Further clinical studies, with a larger sample size, more prolonged period of therapy are needed to investigate the therapeutic effects of <em>ginseng</em>.</p> <strong>Keywords: </strong>High sensitivity C reactive protein, lipid profile, <em>Panax ginseng</em>, pro-oxidant &ndash; anti-oxidant statushttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1083http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1083/1167