Mycelium
This section is a list of chemical entities identified in this dietary supplement to possess pharmacological activity. This list does not imply that other, yet unidentified, constituents do not influence the pharmacological activity of this dietary supplement nor does it imply that any one constituent possesses greater influence on the overall pharmacological effect of this dietary supplement.
Proteins, amino acids, polysaccharides, sterols and fatty acids, nucleosides, vitamins B
1, B
2, B
12, E, and K.(
1)
Cordyceps is a unique black mushroom that extracts nutrients from and grows only on a caterpillar found in the high altitudes of Tibet and China. Cordyceps is one of the most valued medicinal agents in the
Chinese Materia Medica.(
2) Development of a patented lab fermentation process has allowed large-scale production and availability. Cordyceps has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as the herb of choice in lung and kidney problems, and as a general tonic for promoting longevity, vitality, and endurance.(
3) The pharmaceutical immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine was isolated from a species of cordyceps. Cordyceps is beneficial in helping individuals with decreased energy restore their capacity to function at a greater level of activity.
Interactions and Depletions
2 capsules (525mg each) (standardized extract), 2-3 times a day.
2 capsules (525mg each) (standardized extract), 2 times a day.
*Standardization represents the complete body of information and controls that serve to enhance the batch to batch consistency of a botanical product, including but not limited to the presence of a marker compound at a defined level or within a defined range.
The most current available medical and scientific literature indicates that this dietary supplement should be standardized to 0.14% adenosine and 5% mannitol per dose.
Frequently Reported Uses- Adaptogen, Tonic
- Increases Stamina, Endurance
- Stress, Reduces Tiredness And Fatigue
- Nutritional Support In Wellness And Longevity
- Hepatoprotective
- Adjunctive Support In Chemotherapy And Radiation
- Cardiovascular Support (Angioplasty, Angina, Bypass)
- Bronchitis
- Enhancement Of Sports Performance
Other Reported Uses- Antioxidant
- Impotence
- Increases Cellular Oxygenation
- Supports Healthy Lung And Kidney Function
- Hypertension
- Hypoglycemic Activity
- Improves Immune Function
- Cholesterol Lowering
- Asthma
No known toxicity. There have been two case reports of lead poisoning from cordyceps supplementation.(
4) Use only sources from reputable manufacturers.
Use caution in patients with bleeding disorders or planning surgery or dental work due to apparent PAF inhibitory activity in laboratory studies.(
5)
If pregnant or nursing, consult a physician before use.
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.
Cordyceps has been used in humans for centuries as a tonic for improving performance and vitality, with the proposed mechanism of action being improved oxygen consumption by the cardiopulmonary system under stress and increased tissue "steady state" energy levels. Cordyceps may modulate immune function and optimize endocrine systems, increasing physical strength and endurance.(
6),(
7)
Cordyceps has traditionally been used for its improvement in respiration and in individuals with decreased lung function, such as asthma and bronchitis, by increasing oxygenation (improving VO2 max by 9-15%).(8) Cordyceps has been reported to have anticancer effects by decreasing proliferation and differentiation of cancerous cells and has immunomodulatory effects.(9),(10),(11),(12) Previous studies suggest that down-regulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens on the cell surface of certain tumors results in a decreased immune response. A study was performed to see if cordyceps had a modulatory effect on MHC class II antigen expression on hepatoma cells in vitro.(13) The cordyceps extract was found to increase the MHC class II antigen expression on the hepatoma cells in a dose-related reponse. The authors concluded that cordyceps, either alone or with IFN-gamma induction, increases the MHC class II antigen expression on hepatoma cell line. In an animal study, cordyceps was found to inhibit hepatic fibrogenesis, slow down the development of cirrhosis, and improve liver function by reducing PDGF expression, preventing HSC activation and deposition of procollagen I and III.(14)
It has been reported to have some hypoglycemic activity in laboratory animals.(15) A polysaccharide purified from a hot water extract of cordyceps was reported to significantly lower the plasma glucose level in hyperglycemic laboratory mice.(16) Administration of the cordyceps extract significantly increased the activity of hepatic glucokinase in these animals. Cordyceps has been used for decreasing the renal toxicity of aminoglycosides and cyclosporine(17),(18) and in individuals with chronic renal failure.(19) Kidney protection is claimed to be due to: protecting tubular cell sodium pump activity; attenuating tubular cell lysosome overfunction stimulated by phagocytosis of aminoglycoside; and decreasing tubular cell lipoperoxidation in response to toxic injury.(20),(21) Also, in an animal study, cordyceps has been reported to decrease the progression of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.(22) In the clinical presentation, the treated animal group had a reduction in lymphadenopathy, a delayed progression of proteinuria, and an improvement in kidney function, with histologic analysis of kidney tissue indicating that cordyceps may inhibit the mesangial proliferation that is evident in lupus nephritis. However, there was no significant change in immune complex deposition. The authors report that the study revealed cordyceps may be potentially useful for treating systemic lupus erythematosus in human patients, although more research needs to be performed in this area. Cordyceps was also reported to protect stem cells and red blood cells during chemotherapy and radiation.(23)
Cordyceps is an antioxidant that increases serum levels of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby increasing free radical scavenging ability.(24) Cordyceps has antiarrhythmic effects, decreasing the heart rate and contractility in laboratory animals.(25) An in-vitro study reported that cordyceps may induce vasorelaxation by mediation of the vascular endothelium possibly by stimulating the release of the nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor.(26) It has PAF inhibiting action in laboratory studies.(27) It has also been reported to positively affect blood lipid metabolism, and may therefore be useful in atherosclerosis.(28),(29)
Cordyceps has been reported to increase sexual vitality in both men and women and decrease male impotence. This may be due to an increase in sex hormones, by vasorelaxation or by directly acting on the sexual center of the brain and sex organs in parallel with the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.(30) It may also reverse drug-induced impotence.(31) Cordyceps has reported MAO inhibiting ability in laboratory animals.(32),(33)
Cordyceps has reported immunomodulatory activity, with various fractions isolated from cordyceps either showing immune stimulation or immune suppression.(34),(35) One study reported that isolated fractions of cordyceps significantly inhibited the blastogenesis response, NK cell activity, and IL-2 production of human mononuclear cells (HMNC) stimulated by phytohemmaglutination.(36) TNF-alpha production in HMNC cultures was also blocked by the cordyceps fractions. These results indicated that these fractions of cordyceps were not cytotoxic on HMNC, and that immunosuppressive ingredients are contained in Cordyceps sinensis. Other studies have reported cordyceps beneficial for increasing the immune responses.(37),(38)