A Trial to Study the Effects of Ginseng and Cordyceps on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide
Comparative Effects of Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Placebo on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide Status: A 30-Day Randomized Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
75
1 country
1
Brief Summary
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.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Mar 2026
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
March 15, 2026
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 22, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
July 28, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 25, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
February 1, 2027
July 28, 2026
July 1, 2026
10 months
June 22, 2026
July 22, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (4)
Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30
Between and within-group changes in maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Oxygen consumption (VO2) for the maximal aerobic capacity test will be measured using an indirect calorimeter
Baseline and Day 30
Change in ventilatory threshold
ventilatory threshold (VT) is measured using the The Professional Method (CPET) using the Oxygen consumption data (VO2) measured using an indirect calorimeter
Baseline Day 1 and then Day 30
Change in Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in maximal in circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse). Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) will be calculated as the ratio of oxygen uptake (VO2) to heart rate at two time points: @VO2max and @VT
Baseline Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE) over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in time-to-exhaustion (TTE). A cycle ergometer will be used for all cycling exercise sessions and contain a digital time reading.
Day 1 and Day 30
Secondary Outcomes (8)
Change in Handgrip Strength over 30 days
Day 1, then at Day 30
Change in Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force over 30 days
Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Lactate Kinetics over 30 days
Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Total Nitrates / Nitrites (NOx) over 30 days
Day 1 then Day 30
Change in Quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) over 30 days
Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
- +3 more secondary outcomes
Other Outcomes (3)
Study product subject safety intake over 30 days
Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Adverse Effects
For study period, up to 45 days
Study product safety intake over 30 days
Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Study Arms (3)
Ginseng
EXPERIMENTAL250 mg Panax Ginseng extract
Cordyceps
ACTIVE COMPARATOR1 gram cordyceps militaris fruiting body mushroom extract
Placebo
PLACEBO COMPARATORMaltodextrin
Interventions
Cordycep extract standardized to Cordycepin 0.25% Adenosine 0.15%
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- 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)
You may not qualify if:
- 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
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
The Center for Applied Health Sciences
Canfield, Ohio, 44406, United States
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- QUADRUPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- BASIC SCIENCE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- INDUSTRY
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 22, 2026
First Posted
July 28, 2026
Study Start
March 15, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
December 25, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
February 1, 2027
Last Updated
July 28, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-07
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Confidentiality