Cordyceps is a mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine that is touted to be anti-aging and pro-vitality; these quite vague claims have not yet been looked at in human interventions. It can regulate testicular testosterone production, but has complex mechanisms
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Cordyceps Sinensis, Cordyceps Militaris, Caterpillar Fungus, Cetepiller Mushroom, Summer grass-winter worm, Totsu kasu, Yarchakunbu, Aweto
Coleus Forskohlii (Prevents Forskolin from increasing Testosterone in vitro)
Caffeine, in theory, due to A2(A) antagonism inhibiting testosterone synthesis from Cordycepin in vitro (This may not be a practical concern with Cordyceps supplementation, just a theoretical one)
The Human Effect Matrix looks at human studies (excluding animal/petri-dish studies) to tell you what effect Cordyceps has in your body, and how strong these effects are.
| Grade | Level of Evidence |
|---|---|
| A | Robust research conducted with repeated double blind clinical trials |
| B | Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled |
| C | Single double blind study or multiple cohort studies |
| D | Uncontrolled or observational studies only |
| Level of Evidence | Effect | Change | Magnitude of Effect Size | Scientific Consensus | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | VO2 max | 100% See 2 studies | No significant influence on VO2 max in otherwise healthy persons. | ||
| C | Aerobic exercise | 100% See study | No significant improvements in prolonged aerobic exercise have been noted with cordyceps supplementation | ||
| C | Lactate Threshold |   Minor | 100% See study | Might increase lactate threshold, but requires more evidence. |
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Cordyceps is a mushroom traditionally used to treat sexual dysfunction and fertility in Chinese medicine, as well as a general sexual tonic and libido/performance enhancer.[2][3] This mushroom belongs to phylum Ascomycoa, the sub-phylum Ascomycotina and the class Clavicipataceae; which as a whole is seen as medicinal.[3]
There are multiple species of Cordyceps. The most commonly used species is Sinensis, which is a Cordyceps to be shown to contain the bioactive compound Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). It is also present in Militaris and Kyushuensis.[3][4] Isolation of Cordycepin dates back to 1950, first discovered in Militaris.[5] Cordycepin is known as a nucleotide analogue, due to its structural similarities to adenosine.[6]
Cordyceps possesses a potent anti-oxidative effect although its potency is quite variable from one sample to the next.[7] The anti-oxidative effects of Cordyceps come mostly from the polysaccharide content, and is equally potent between the Mycelium and the fruiting body of Cordyceps.[7]
Cordyceps, as a mushroom, contains a variety of compounds including:
With some bioactive amines:
Bioactive polysaccharides
Cordycepin is known as a nucleotide analogue due to its structural similarity to adenosine.
150-300mg/kg of the hot water extract of the Mycelia of Cordyceps Sinensis to rats orally (mostly carbohydrates), the time it took for rats to become fatigued during a swimming test increased to a similar degree with both doses and was approximately (value derived form graph) a 12.5% increase.[20]
Consumption of 150mg/kg of a hot water extract for a week in rats is associated with a lessening of biochemical markers of stress with reduction in total cholesterol (effectively normalized to non-stress control) and attenuations of the decline in the weight of the spleen (24%), adrenal (91%), and liver (37%).[20]
Cordyceps can reduce HcG and cAMP-stimulated steroidogenesis (via PKA and possibly inhibiting P450scc by 30%, the enzyme that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone).[21] This same study showed that Cordyceps did not reduce testosterone production when coincubated with androstenedione or pregnenolone, suggesting it does not influence enzymes in the later portion of steroidogenesis.[21] Interestingly, this study also showed that Cordyceps was able to inhibit Forskolin-induced steroidogenesis, which is cAMP-induced and how the herb Coleus Forskohlii increases testosterone.[21] This inhibition of testosterone synthesis stimulated by cAMP and HcG has been noted elsewhere,[22][23] and inhibition of PKA abolishes the effects of Cordyceps.[24]
In cell stimulated at the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) receptor, which normally induces steroidogenesis via a cAMP-dependent pathway, the incubation of Cordyceps can suppress this cascade
In cells not intentionally stimulated with HcG, Corcyceps extract reliably increases testosterone secretions from cells with an ideal concentration of 3mg/mL, shown in two separate studies on dose-response.[15][22] Concentrations greater than 10mg/mL are associated with declines in testosterone related to baseline.[22] Protein fragments in Cordyceps have been implicated in being the active compounds[15] although Cordycepin appears to be active as well.[24] Feeding isolated Cordycepin at 40mg/kg bodyweight does not increase testosterone in vivo, however, yet it does when injected suggesting poor bioavailability.[24]
Had the opposite effects in cells note treated via the LH receptor, and may increase testosterone secretion in these scenarios
The mycelium of Cordyceps Militaris at 1 or 5% of their diet by weight was shown to increase circulating testosterone levels in rats after 6 weeks of supplementation. [25] During this period, bodyweight did not significantly differ between groups, sperm content of the epididymus increased by 53% and 37% respectively to the 1% and 5% diets and motility increased by 31% and 19%; serum testosterone was increased to around 700pg/mL relative to control fluctuating just below 600pg/mL over the 6 week period. The peaks were erratic and demonstrated a trend to significant differences at 2 weeks in the 5% group, declining to baseline at 5 weeks, and then spiking up again to be significantly different at 6-8 weeks; 1% intake was relatively stable up to 5 weeks were it trended upwards and remained significantly different from control until cessation at 8 weeks.[25] Another study conducted in immature mice (without the influence of Luteinizing hormone, to stimulate central hypogonadism) found that 0.02-0.2g/kg bodyweight increased circulating testosterone relatively equally (3.83 and 3.69ng/ml, respectively) from a baseline level of 1.38+/-0.047ng/mL[15] while isolated water-soluble protein fragments required an intake of 0.2g/kg bodyweight.[15] Despite these studies being in immature rats, one study suggests that there are no differences in testosterone synthesis in immature and mature.[26]
More dramatic spikes are seen with intraperitoneal injections of cordycepin, which exhibits does-dependent increases in testosterone. 40mg/kg bodyweight over 7 days has been shown in mice to increase testosterone from 2.88+/-0.19pg/uL to 10.97+/-2.31pg/uL.[24] This spike was vicariously through an upregulation of A2a adenosine receptors (3-7 fold increase) with a concomitant decrease in A2b recpetor content.[24] Co-incubation with an A2a receptor antagonist (in this study, CSC was used; Caffeine is a popular A2a antagonist) reduced the increase in testosterone by 20%, but inhibition of A3 reduced it by 50%.[24] The ultimate effect of Cordycepin is that it upregulates the StAR enzyme, which transporters cholesterol into the mitochondria for metabolism, a rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis.
Cordyceps appears to increase testosterone synthesis in rats, and has multiple compounds that could do this (protein fragments, Cordycepin); the protein fragments appear to be biologically relevant, as 40mg/kg Cordycepin ingested orally didn't do anything to testosterone in mice yet 0.2mg/kg whole Cordyceps did. Cordyceps may possess testosterone regulatory properties, rather than blind spiking of testosterone
Cordyceps Militaris supplementation was shown to increase estradiol levels in rats fed 1% or 5% of their diet as the mycelium, and although a significant spike was seen 2 weeks after supplementation (from 30pg/mL to the 60-70 range), it declined to baseline at 4 weeks and remained insignificantly different from control.[25]
Despite increases in sperm content of rats, no significant influence on Follicle-Stimulating Hormone is seen with oral intake of 1 or 5% Cordyceps Militaris in the diet of male rats.[25]
No significant effects are seen on circulating levels of luteinizing hormone in male rats after oral ingestion of 1% or 5% cordyceps militaris in the diet for 6 weeks.[25]
No significant effects on Prolactin are seen with either 1% or 5% dietary intake of Cordyceps Militaris over 6 weeks ingestion of the Mycelium.[25]
A polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps Sinensis appears to have mitogenic properties on splenocytes as well as the ability to increase macrophage phagocytosis by 12% at 50-100mg/kg bodyweight,[16] although immunostimulatory polysaccharides are common to most species of Cordyceps. Immunostimulation has been found with Militaris (stimulation of macrophage Nitric Oxide and TNF-α)[18] and Militaris grown on Germinated soybeans.[27]
A few of the polysaccharides from Cordyceps appear to have anti-oxidant properties in vivo[16] or in vitro.[19]
After injection of D-Galactose into mice, which mimicks the effects of oxidation-mediated aging, Cordyceps Militaris supplementation was able to reduce oxidation via increasing the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes in the body; vicariously through the polysaccharide content.[28] These same effects have been seen with polysaccharides from Cordyceps Taii.[29] The anti-oxidant effects of Sinensis and Militaris are somewhat equivalent, with Sinensis slightly more potent.[30]
In vitro, Cordycepin appears to induce apoptosis and reduce proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) with an approximate IC50 of 100uM.[31] Despite influencing both cell lines, the mechanisms appeared to differ.
In estrogen non-responsive cells (MDA-MB-231), Cordycepin appears to induce DNA fragmentation in a time and concentration dependent manner resulting in apoptosis. This appeared to be related to a release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm associated with caspase activation and PARP cleavage.[31] An aqueous extract of Coryceps per se shares these apoptotic effects associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and aside from acting via Akt inhibition it is augmented with inhibition of PI3K/Akt in vitro.[32] Only one other study has noted anti-proliferative effects on this cell line, but was highly confounded with other Bioactive Mushrooms.[33]
In MCF-7 cells, the death of cells appeared to be autophagic.[31] Cordycepin failed to induce DNA fragmentation but 200uM clearly induced autophagic vacuoles and associated with conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, commonly thought to be a biomarker for autophagy.[34] The exact mechanism was not elucidated but was independent of the estrogen receptors.[31] Beyond apoptotic, the ethanolic acetate fraction of Cordyceps (Mycelium) in general appears to have anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 44.7ug/mL (Petroleum 87.37+/-1.61ug/mL, ethanolic 79.57+/-2.68ug/mL, water ineffective).[10]
Another component, Cordymin (peptide) also appears to inhibit MCF-7 breast cancer proliferation in concentrations up to 5mg/mL but not surpassing 50% inhibition;[13] biological significance of this is unknown due to the large molecular weight (10,906Da) and being a long polypeptide possible not absorbed in vivo. Another peptide (12kDa) was able to induce cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells and reduce their viability to 33.41+/-3.81% of control at 15uM with an IC50 of 9.3µM in vitro.[14]
Finally, in the highly invasive 4T1 cell line an injected water soluble extract of Cordyceps (10-50mg/kg) significantly inhibited metastasis as measured in the lung (when the tumors were injected into the breast of rodents) without significantly affecting tumor size whatsoever.[35] This study hypothesized that the immunostimulatory properties of Cordyceps on macrophages attenuated the rate of which 4T1 cells progressed from G0 /G1 to GM phase, which was demonstrated in vitro.[35]
A variety of compounds that could benefit breast cancer by reducing proliferation of cells or induce cancer cell death, but none of these mechanisms are currently established in living models or compared against active control drugs (to assess potency)
In comparing several fractions of Cordyceps Mycelium on HL-60 cells the ethanolic (87.57+/-1.69), ethanolic acetate (21.77+/-1.30) and petroleum (62.87+/-1.49) extracts but not water show some anti-proliferative effects with those respective IC50 values.[10]
In vitro, extracts of the Mycelium of Cordyceps appear to inhibit proliferation of Melanoma cells with IC50 values in B16 cells of 99.47+/-1.67ug/mL in ethanolic and ethanolic acetate 12.17+/-1.24ug/mL, with water and petroleum extracts being fairly ineffective.[10] Due to the potency of the ethyl acetate fraction, it was tested in mice implanted with B16 tumors at 0.05mg/kg (injections) and decreased tumor weight by 48% but underperformed relative to the active control of Cytoxan (62%).[10] When comparing bioactives of these extracts, the ethyl acetate appear to have a very large dose of ergosterol.[10]
In HepG2 cells, Cordyceps Mycelium shows some weak anti-proliferative effects with the ethanolic (84.27+/-1.32ug/mL), ethyl acetate (16.27+/-1.39ug/mL), and petroleum extracts (132.37+/-1.31ug/mL) and their respective IC50 values.[10]
A general Cordyceps extract appears to reduce proliferation of colon cancer cells (HT-29 and SW480) secondary to anti-inflammatory effects, preventing TNF-α induced nF-kB activity.[36]
When looking at specific bioactives of Cordyceps (this study used a Colon205 cell line), there were no remarkable IC50 values but some notable ones were Cordycepin (32.6+/-3.2ug/mL) and ergosterol palmitate (62.4+/-3.2ug/mL),[9] this study also suspected that the mechanisms were secondary to anti-inflammatory effects, these effects which have been noted in the colon previously in vivo.[37]
A bioactive peptide from Cordyceps (that has demonstrated activity against breast cancer cells) does not possess this same anti-proliferative efficacy against colon cancer cells[13] and both an n-butanol and chloroform extract of Cordyceps (Sinensis) failed to significantly reduce proliferation of Colon205 adenocarcinoma cells.[38] Neither of these studies were done in cultures with immune cell mediators.
May interact with the immune system (in a matter of suppression) to indirectly be anti-cancer, but actions in cell cultures are relatively lacklustre and no in vivo evidence exists currently
One in vitro study using bladder cancer cells (5637 cell line) noted that 15uM of a peptide known as CMP was able to reduce viability to 39.06+/-15.60% of control with an IC50 of 8.1µM.[14] The mechanism of CMP was not established.
Cordycepin at an IC50 of 200uM was able to induce dose-dependent growth inhibition possibly via G2/M-phase arrest in both 5637 and T-24 cell lines alongside downregulation of various molecules associated with G2/M phase (pCdc25c and Cdc25c, pCdc2 and Cdc2, cyclin B1).[39] p27 and p53 did not appeared to be involved in this arrest, with JNK activation by Cordycepin appearing to mediate the beneficial effects.[39] A concurrent reduction in AP-1, nF-kB, and MMP-9 genomic activity may accompany Cordycepin's actions in bladder cancer cells.[40]
Possible anti-bladder cancer effects, but no in vivo evidence for efficacy or comparison to active control drugs
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