Cordyceps extract is a product of active substances isolated and purified from cultivated cordyceps sinensis mycelium which has similar clinical efficacy to wild C.sinensis and less associated toxicity and is considered to be an alternative to the wild. There are over 680 documented species of the sac fungus genus Cordyceps, and one of the best known of these is Cordyceps sinensis, colloquially known as caterpillar fungus. Caterpillar fungi are the result of a parasitic relationship between the fungus and the larva of the ghost moth genus Thitarodes, several species of which live on the Tibetan Plateau. It is known in the West as a medicinal mushroom and its use has a long history in Traditional Chinese medicine as well as Traditional Tibetan medicine.

 MEDICINAL USE AND RESEARCH

Medicinal use of the caterpillar fungus apparently originated in Tibet. The fungus is a medicinal mushroom which is highly prized by practitioners of Tibetan medicine, Chinese medicine and traditional Folk medicines. In Chinese medicine C. sinensis is considered sweet and warm, entering the lung and kidney channels.

Aging (senescence)

Traditionally, cordyceps has been used in the elderly population to improve weakness, impotence, and fatigue associated with aging. Clinical studies have been conducted among elderly subjects; Improvements in self-reported symptoms have been described, as have increases in red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity and decreases in malondialdehyde levels. Other antioxidant effects, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and decreases in lipid peroxidation are thought to be responsible for the antiaging effects, as well as effects on the adrenergic and dopamine systems.

Cancer

Numerous in vitro and animal experiments have been conducted on aqueous and ethanol extracts of cordyceps, as well as with cordycepin and oxypiperazines extracted from the mycelium. The extracts enhanced cytokine activity and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby reducing tumor cell proliferation and enhancing survival times.

A positive effect on hyperlipidemia has also been reported in aqueous extracts of cordyceps.

Diabetes

Animal studies suggest cordyceps, particularly the polysaccharide extracts, decreases blood glucose levels by improving glucose metabolism and enhancing insulin sensitivity. 1 small (N = 20), randomized trial found that taking C. sinensis 3 g daily improved the blood sugar profile over placebo.

Hepatic function

Hepatoprotective effects of cordyceps extracts have been demonstrated in animal models. Open-label clinical studies conducted in patients with active hepatitis and posthepatic cirrhosis reported improvements in liver function tests.

Immune system

Different fractions of cordyceps extracts (either aqueous or ethanol based) appear to have different effects and, therefore, an immune-modulator function for cordyceps has been proposed.

In vitro effects include enhanced phagocytosis activity of macrophages, increased enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase, and induction of interleukin and tumor necrosis factor production. A decrease in cyclooxygenase-2 expression has also been demonstrated in vitro, In mice, enhanced splenocyte proliferation, increased plasma corticosterone, decreased production of immunoglobulin E, and modulation of cytokine and CD4+ and CD8+ cell production were reported.

Respiratory effects

In vitro studies suggest aqueous extracts of C. sinensis have a stimulatory effect on ion transport in human airway epithelial cells, possibly because of cordycepin and adenosine. Animal studies suggest the observed effects on respiration are caused by enhanced oxygen utilization capacity, supporting the traditional use of cordyceps in Tibet and Nepal to offset altitude sickness. Clinical studies conducted in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchitis have suggested efficacy for cordyceps.

Sexual dysfunction

Experiments in castrated rats showed a mild effect on sexual function. In clinical studies in elderly populations, improved sexual drive and virility were reported.