Cordyceps sinensis has quickly become one of the most popular adaptogens available. Its benefits range far and wide. Although this mushroom has been around for quite some time, it is now in high demand for its exceptional immune boosting qualities, lung support, and ability to support both yin and yang deficiencies.
All Cordycep species are quite unlike regular fungi – as anyone who is aware of these mushrooms know, they are unique in how they grow and thus have special properties that other mushrooms lack.
Of course, there are many benefits we could delve into, we are going to spend a little time focusing on one of the main compounds in these rather interesting mushrooms (including that of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris).
Cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) is a nucleoside derivative isolated from Cordyceps militaris and a transcription chain terminator.
It has been reported to have numerous biological activities, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of platelet aggregation, inhibition of cell migration and invasiveness and overall reduction of inflammation specifically in humans. [1]
Some of the most intensive studies on cordycepin are about its ability to aid in reduction of tumor sizes in cancer patients. [2]
You can imagine that such claims will have brought on a whole landslide of research regarding how it can help fight cancer.
One study indicated that several patients who continuously took a level dosage of Cordyceps sinensis daily showed vast improvements in their lung health. [2]
With such research, it is no wonder why this compound is highly desired. Cordycepin has been produced synthetically as an isolated compound to see if its effects on cancer cells and tumor cells are just as potent or if it does not carry as much as an effect as it does when working with coenzymes and cofactors found within the various species of Cordyceps.
Enough studies have been done to steadily note that the synergistic effects of Cordyceps polysaccharides, adenosine, cordycepic acid, and cordycepin would be far greater than those achieved by the use of just cordycepin as a standalone supplement. Hence, the benefits of taking cordycepin where it naturally occurs (like in Cordyceps militaris) far outweigh isolated extracts of the stuff.
One study in particular indicated that Cordycepin has displayed cytotoxicity against some leukemic cell lines in vitro. There are current, ongoing studies and clinical trials of cordycepin as a leukemia treatment. [3]
Currently, the National Cancer Institute in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company has initiated a Phase I clinical study of cordycepin as a potential treatment agent for cancer. [4]
Cordycepin has many intracellular targets, including nucleic acid (DNA/RNA), apoptosis and cell cycle, etc. Investigations of the mechanism of anti-cancer drugs have yielded important information for the design of novel drug targets in order to enhance anti-tumor activity with less toxicity to patients.
One study looked at cordycepin’s effect on liver cells. The result of the study indicated that both cordyceps acid and cordycepin together do indeed ameliorate the inflammatory and fibrogenic response of cultured HSCs (liver cells).
This is linked to its ability to promote DNA repair and reduce free radical damage.
The researchers therefore concluded that “these effects may contribute significantly to [its] therapeutic mechanisms to inhibit and resolve liver fibrosis. [5]
Cordycepin may also help reduce the risk of chronic liver conditions, including hepatitis. Several studies have indicated that it protects the liver – even if it’s been severely damaged by disease.
One such trial that involved 33 patients who had hepatitis B and another 8 patients with cirrhosis. These patients took cordyceps supplements and showed 71.9% improvement on the thymol turbidity test and 78.6% improvement in the SGPT test, both of which are designed to test the functioning of the
liver. [2]
There are numerous studies coming out regularly regarding the massive amounts of health benefits of Cordycepin aside from its positive effects against cancer and shrinking tumor sizes.
Some of the other main benefits that this compound provides are:
- Anti-inflammatory action
- DNA Protection
- Immunoregulatory
- Anti-bacterial
- Stimulated testosterone production in mouse leydig cells
- Increased sperm quantity and quality in rats
Through the limited research touched on here, it can be concluded that the benefits of Cordycepin are immense and this compound is gaining much recognition even in the pharmaceutical world as a positive alternative to aid in the treatment of leukemia, shrinking tumors and causing cell death in cancer cells.
The amount of progress with medicinal mushrooms in modern science is ever escalating and is showing just how magical these fungi are. Gain these benefits and more by grabbing a bag of Cordyceps here.
Sources:
- Xiao Y., Huang X.Z., Chen G.,Wang M.B., Zhu J.S., Cooper C.B.: Increased Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Elderly Humans given fermented Cordyceps Cs-4: a Placebo controlled Trial
- National Cancer Institute. “Definition of cordycepin”. NCI Drug Dictionary. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- Cordycepin Relation to Cancer and Studies
- Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. Effects of cordyceps acid and cordycepin on the inflammatory and fibrogenic response of hepatic stellate cells
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Dr Satya Priya Sinha says
Article is well written with enormous information’s scientifically y carried out work in this field which help a lot for new comers.I am personally got new ideas and gathered information’s on cordycepin.
Chelsea Satterthwaite says
Glad to hear you enjoyed the info! Thank you Dr. Sinha.
Helen Crisa says
Thanks for great info.Is there any info for use with Hep.C ? Does it come in pill form? How long before you know it’s working? Thank so much ! :)
Zane Christopher says
Thanks for the question Helen. Here is a study that was preformed concerning Anti-HCV and Cordyceps militaris:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24726408
Its conclusion:
In consideration of all these results, we suggest that CM (Cordyceps militaris) would be useful as an oral anti-HCV agent in combination with interferon-α and/or ribavirin.
There is at least one more I saw on a derivative of Cordycepin that helps with HCV as well. As far as I know they do not have an isolate on the market for Cordycepin yet though like the article says they are doing trails on it so in the near future there might be a prescription for it. You can look up Cordyceps militaris pills though there aren’t many that I saw. Alternatively, you can buy a powder like we sell and pill it yourself.
As for the working part, that depends on many factors: how sensitive an individual is to the fungus, how sensitive you are at sensing whats going on in your own body, the half-life of cordycepin, how healthy (or not healthy you are), etc. The study above used Cordycepin with interferon and ribavirin treatments too. No timing was given in the abstract.
Hopefully you can dig deeper into this. Let us know if you (or whomever) tries it out and see any results (positive or negative)!