Integrated anti-fatigue effects of polysaccharides and small molecules coexisting in water extracts of ginseng: gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms

Both clinical and animal studies have demonstrated that ginseng has curative effects on fatigue. Our previous study found that water extracts of ginseng (WEG) could significantly mitigate exercise-induced fatigue (EF). Notably, polysaccharides (GP) and small molecules (GS, mainly ginsenosides) coexist in WEG. Whether and how GP and GS contribute to the anti-EF effects of WEG remains unknown.