A Trial to Study the Effects of Ginseng and Cordyceps on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide

Official title

Comparative Effects of Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Placebo on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide Status: A 30-Day Randomized Trial

Overview

This study is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial of seventy-five (75) apparently healthy male and female participants to be recruited at a single investigational center in Northeast Ohio (i.e., The Center for Applied Health Sciences). The study will assess the potential benefits of four weeks of supplementation with 300 mg Ginseng or 1 gram Cordyceps Militaris (vs. placebo). Participants will attend 3 study visits. During Visit 1, participants will be screened for participation (i.e., medical history, routine blood work, background baseline diet and familiarization protocol will be completed). During Visit 2 (Day 0) and Visit 3 (Day 30) participants will complete subjective baseline testing including questionnaires that assess recovery, mood, energy, fatigue, and quality of life. They will complete a VO2 max test, a TTE test, isometric mid-thigh pull, and have their handgrip strength assessed. They will also be tested for changes in circulating nitrates/nitrites (NOx), circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse), and lactate kinetics (production and clearance). Comprehensive side effect profile/ adverse event monitoring will take place throughout thevstudy duration. The study will be conducted following ICH-GCP guidelines to ensure subject safety and scientific integrity of the data.

Interventions

• Dietary supplement Panax ginseng
  Panax Ginseng extract standardized to 5% ginsenosides
• Dietary supplement Cordycep Militaris
  Cordycep extract standardized to Cordycepin 0.25% Adenosine 0.15%
• Other Placebo
  1 gram maltodextrin to mirror 1 gram capsule active

Primary outcome measures

• Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30 [Time frame: Baseline and Day 30]
• Change in ventilatory threshold [Time frame: Baseline Day 1 and then Day 30]
• Change in Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) over 30 days [Time frame: Baseline Day 1, then Day 30]
• Change in Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1 and Day 30]

Secondary outcome measures (8)

• Change in Handgrip Strength over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, then at Day 30]
• Change in Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, then Day 30]
• Change in Lactate Kinetics over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, then Day 30]
• Change in Total Nitrates / Nitrites (NOx) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1 then Day 30]
• Change in Quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30]
• Change in Profile Mood States (POMS) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30]
• Change in Visual Analog Score (VAS) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30]
• Change in Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) over 30 days [Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Provide voluntary signed and dated informed consent.

• Be in good health and able to participate in cognitive performance testing as determined by assessment, medical history, and routine blood chemistries.
• Between the of 40 and 65 years of age (inclusive).
• Body Mass Index of 18.5-34.9 (inclusive).
• Body weight of at least 110 pounds.
• Normotensive (seated, resting systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. If the first measurement is slightly elevated above these limits, the subject will be given a brief (5-minute) rest period, and two more measurements will be taken. The average of all three measurements will be used to determine eligibility.
• Normal supine, resting heart rate (<90 per minute).
• Able to provide an adequate blood draw.
• If a dietary supplement was initiated within the past month, the participant is willing to discontinue supplement use followed by a 2-week washout prior to participation in the study.
• Willing to duplicate their previous 24-hour diet, refrain from caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours, refrain from exercise for 48 hours prior to each trial, and fast for 10 hours prior to each visit.
• Recreationally active (≥3 exercise sessions/wk)

Exclusion criteria

-Smokers.

• History of malignancy in the previous 5 years except for non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer of the skin).
• Prior gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc.).
• Other known gastrointestinal or metabolic diseases that might impact nutrient absorption or metabolism, e.g. electrolyte abnormalities, diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, hypogonadism, short bowel syndrome, diarrheal illnesses, history of colon resection, gastric ulcer, reflux disease, gastroparesis, Inborn-Errors-of-Metabolism (such as PKU).
• Chronic medically diagnosed inflammatory condition or disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
• Medical history of metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease.
• Use of performance enhancing drugs
• Anti-inflammatory supplement/medication use started within 4 weeks
• Ergogenic supplement use started within 4 weeks. (i.e. beta-alanine, creatine, beet root, citrulline, arginine, )
• Individuals with excessive caffeine intake (>400mg/day).
• Known sensitivity to any ingredient in the test formulations as listed in the Certificates- of-Analysis.
• Women currently pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding a child.
• Any other diseases or conditions that, in the opinion of the medical staff, could confound the primary endpoint or place the subject at increased risk of harm if they were to participate

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Quadruple blind

Primary purpose

Basic science

Study locations

United States · 1 center

• The Center for Applied Health Sciences — Canfield

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07729943 · AFS-002-2025CG

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗