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Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug

Chapter 5 Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug

 and .

5.1. INTRODUCTION

Cordyceps is the composite of a genus of fungus that grows on the larva of insects. To date, more than 350 Cordyceps-related species have been found worldwide based on fungus and/or insect host. However, since 1964, only Cordyceps sinensis has been recorded officially as an herbal drug in Chinese pharmacopoeia. C. sinensis, known as Dongchongxiacao (winter-worm summer-grass) in Chinese, is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicines and medicinal mushrooms. The fungus attacks the larva of some species of insects (Fam. Hepialidae), and converts each larva to a sclerotium, from which the fruiting body grows (Figure 5.1).

FIGURE 5.1. (See color insert.

FIGURE 5.1

(See color insert.) (a) Cordyceps sinensis, illustrated in the book Ben Cao Bei Yao by Wang Ang, which was published in 1694; (b) C. sinensis found in the soil (arrowhead indicates C. sinensis); and (c) collected as raw materials.

According to the theory of Chinese medicine, C. sinensis is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, and it can replenish the kidney, soothe the lung, stop bleeding, and eliminate phlegm. The fungus C. sinensis has been used for the treatment of fatigue, cough, hyposexuality, asthenia after severe illness, renal dysfunction, and renal failure (). In China, it is found in the soil of prairies at elevations of 3500–5000 m, mainly in the provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Gansu. In China, C. sinensis has been known and used as a remedy for more than 300 years. It was first recorded in Ben Cao Bei Yao by Wang Ang in 1694, and the Italian scholar Saccardo named the Cordyceps found in China officially as Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. in 1878; this nomenclature has been used ever since.

The ecosystem of C. sinensis has been terribly affected by the restriction of habitat and over- exploration. Although the Ordinance of Resources Protection on Wild Herbal Medicine was issued in 1987, the yield of natural C. sinensis is still decreasing. It was reported based on a survey conducted during June–July 2007 that the yield of natural C. sinensis decreased by more than 90% in the last 25 years. The price rocketed to more than 200,000 Renminbi (RMB)/kg (approximately US$25,000) in 2007 (), and its usage was limited during the past decade by its limited supply.

Due to the rarity and outstanding curative effects of C. sinensis, some natural substitutes such as C. militaris, C. liangshanensis, C. gunnii, and C. cicadicola have been sold in markets (). In addition, several cultured mycelia of C. sinensis and C. militaris fungi have become the main substitutes of the natural species as commercial products, and 50 medicines and two dietary supplements related to cultured Cordyceps have been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China since 2002 (). For example, JinShuiBao capsule, the commercial product of Cs-4 (Paecilomyces hepialid, a standardized mycelium of C. sinensis), has been used in clinics throughout China. This product generates several million U.S. dollars every year. Synnematum sinensis, Cephalosporium sinensis, Gliocladium roseum, and Mortierella hepialid, the fungus strains isolated from natural C. sinensis, have also been subjected to large- scale fermentation and are used as commercial products (). Therefore, much effort has been invested in studying the evaluation of the quality, pharmacological activities, and clinical efficacies of natural and cultured cordyceps. In this chapter, we focus on the bioactivities, action mechanisms, and active ingredients of cordyceps, both natural and cultured.

5.2. ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY

Cancer is the second leading cause of disease-related mortality throughout the world (). However, related therapy strategies are still limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Due to the limitations of surgery and radiotherapy and the side effects of chemotherapy, there is increasing interest in developing antitumor drugs from natural products. Studies have shown that cordyceps has antitumor activity in various cancers through several pathways. Both natural and cultured cordyceps have demonstrated antitumor effects (; ).

Studies in vivo showed cordyceps had an inhibitory effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and meth-A fibrosarcoma (), EL-4 lymphoma (), B16 melanoma (), Lewis lung carcinoma (), and H22 tumors () in mice. Furthermore, C. sinensis reversed the suppressive effect of Taxol-induced leukopenia in mice, which indicated that C. sinensis could be used with other chemotherapy methods for cancer treatment (). Cordyceps exhibited direct cytotoxic activity against several kinds of tumor cells, including Lewis lung carcinoma, B16 melanoma, lymphocytic (Jurkat), prostate (PC3), breast (MCF7), hepatocellular (HepG2, Hep3B), colorectal (HT-29)and HCT 116), and HL-60 cells (;  ). Although cordyceps had a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells, it did not show any cytotoxicity against normal cells ().

Several mechanisms contribute to the antitumor effect of cordyceps, such as direct cytotoxicity, immunopotentiation, apoptosis, selective inhibition of ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein synthesis, as well as antioxidant, antiangiogenic, antimutagenic, antimetastatic, and antiviral activities (; ; (). Of them, the apoptotic homeostasis regulated by cordyceps might be the most important (; ) mechanism. The apoptotic molecular mechanism of cordyceps includes the activation of Bax, caspase-3 and/or -9, -8; inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) protein expression and downregulation of Bcl-2 level (; ). Besides, apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells induced by C. militaris aqueous extract (0.8 mg/mL) was also associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane permeability. In addition, the extract decreased Akt activation and reversed PI3K/Akt-pathway-enhanced apoptosis (). Furthermore, the apoptotic events induced by the extract were also mediated by diminished telomerase activity ().

5.3. IMMUNOMODULATING EFFECT

The immune system protects human beings from infection with layered defenses of increasing specificity. First, physical barriers prevent pathogens from entering the body. If a pathogen breaks these barriers, the innate immune system provides an immediate, but nonspecific response. The human body possesses a third layer of protection, that is, the adaptive immune system. The adaptive immune response is activated by the response of the innate immune system. Cells of the innate system include phagocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells), mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and natural killer cells. In the adaptive system, B cells are involved in humoral immune response, whereas T cells contribute to cellular immune response. Immunopotentiating drugs are used to restore the immune system to normal and to reduce reoccurring and life-threatening infections. Immunosuppressive drugs are applied to control autoimmune disorders and inflammation when excessive tissue damage occurs, as well as to prevent transplant rejection after an organ transplant (). Increasing evidence shows that cordyceps is a bidirectional modulator with both potentiating and suppressive effects on the immune system through regulating innate and adaptive immunity (; ; ; ().

5.3.1. Potentiation Activity

Natural C. sinensis has a long history of use in the treatment of respiratory infections and cancer. It has been postulated that the responsible mechanism is related to immune activation, particularly the promotion of innate immunity. The oral administration of C. sinensis extract improved the phagocytosis of macrophages in resting and cyclophosphamide-treated C57BL/6 mice implanted subcutaneously with syngeneic EL-4 lymphoma cells (). Cultured C. sinensis induced production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; elevated phagocytosis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC); and elevated macrophage phagocytosis and monocyte production of H2O2. However, it did not induce cytokine overliberation in mice (). Further study showed that an aqueous extract of mycelia of C. sinensis enhanced the IL-6, TNF-α, and nitric oxide (NO) release from primary murine macrophages by inducing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways characteristic of inflammatory stimuli. The extract also synergized with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to stimulate cytokine production from macrophages, and the extract-treated mice spleens showed decreased bacterial burden compared to vehicle control. The results indicate that C. sinensis mycelia protected the animals from proliferation of bacteria by activating the macrophages (). The C. sinensis could also enhance the activity of natural killer cells (). A C. militaris water extract induced phenotypic and functional maturation of dendritic cells, which then initiated T-cell responses against microbial pathogens and tumors ().

Cordyceps also promotes the adaptive immune system, including cellular and humoral immunity. Although natural and cultured C. sinensis methanol extracts had no effect on the proliferation of splenocytes and cytokine liberation such as IL-2 in primary mouse splenocytes in vitro () or in BALB/c mice in vivo (), the extracts enhanced concanavalin A–stimulated proliferation and IL-2 level of mouse splenocytes in vitro at 200 μg/mL () or ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1, and IgG2b levels in ovalbumin-immunized mice (). Cultured C. sinensis increased CD25 expression on lymphocytes in vitro (), augmented numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, improved CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and reduced IgA and IgG levels in patients with posthepatic cirrhosis (). Moreover, cordyceps had a regulatory effect on bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) cells. The C. sinensis ethanol extract could enhance Th1 immune response, such as IFN-γ and IL-12 production, which could then inhibit IL-10 release from Th2 cells and finally reduce IgE production from B lymphocytes. Reduced production of IgE would attenuate the occurrence of asthma attacks (). Fruiting bodies of C. militaris water extract significantly upregulated IL-18 gene expression, an inducer of IFN-γ in T cells and NK cells, in C57BL/6 mouse brain and liver in vivo and in RAW264.7 cells in vitro (). Fruiting bodies, but not caterpillars, of C. cicadae methanol extract enhanced proliferation and IL-2 and IFN-γ production in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated HPBMC ().

5.3.2. Suppressive Effect

Due to its inhibitory effect on the immune system, cordyceps can be used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and for immunosuppression after organ transplant. Early oral administration of C. sinensis (2.4 mg/g/day) induced the redistribution of HPBMC with reduced percentages of CD4+ T cells (P < .05), and attenuated the disease severity of lupus in (NZB/NZW) F1 mice with increased survival, decreased proteinuria, and reduced titers of anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (). The administration of C. sinensis could augment the blocking effect of cyclosporin A on allogeneic graft rejection by reducing mononuclear cell infiltration in kidney grafts, CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood and serum IL-2, and IFN-γ production in an allograft kidney transplant rat model (). Mycelia of C. sinensis water extract plus subtherapeutic cyclosporin A also decreased acute rejection in rats that had undergone heart transplant, completely ablated acute vasculopathy in mice at the dose of 50 mg/kg, and decreased IFN-γ release from mouse splenocytes and CD8+ T cells at 3.4 mg/mL in vitro ().

Furthermore, cordyceps showed anti-inflammatory activity. Fruiting bodies of C. sinensis methanol extract inhibited PHA-stimulated lympho-proliferation and NK cells activity, and IL-2 and TNF-α release from HPBMC (). Chloroform and n-butanol fractions of the fruiting bodies of C. sinensis methanol extract inhibited the elevation of NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, and IL-12 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/IFN-γ-activated murine peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner in vitro (). The administration of C. militaris decreased airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced mice (), and had both anti-inflammatory activity on croton oil–induced mouse ear topical edema and carrageenan-induced rat hind acute edema (). The administration of C. pruinosa methanol extract inhibited the production of IL-β, TNF-α, NO, and PGE2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages at 10 μg/mL in vitro and LPS-administered mice at 5 mg/kg in vivo via the suppression of NF-κB activation (). Methanol extract of caterpillars, but not fruiting bodies, of C. cicadae resulted in the suppression of proliferation of PHA-induced HPBMC and the lowering of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ, and IL-12 release from PHA-stimulated HPBMC (). So, different parts of cordyceps have different effects on immune response.

5.3.3. Effect on Gut Immune System

The gastrointestinal tract plays a dual role in human physiology, that is, digestion and uptake of nutrients, and maintenance of immune homeostasis. The gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is composed of Peyer’s patches and other GALT such as lymphoid aggregates in the appendix, large intestine, and esophagus, tonsils, and adenoids. There are macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes in GALT. Both innate and adaptive responses collaborate in maintaining the immune balance of GALT (). Although C. sinensis hot water extract had no direct effect on the proliferation of Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, and Lactocbacillus sp., it could significantly lower harmful bacteria populations (Salmonella sp. and E. coli.) and increase helpful bacteria numbers (Lactocbacillus sp.) in the small intestine of broiler chicks administered with 600 mg/kg/day for 35 days (). The results indicate that C. sinensis regulates intestinal bacteria by improving GALT or systemic immunity or both. The oral administration of cultured mycelia of C. sinensis hot water extract at 1 g/kg/day for 7 days stimulated the activation of peritoneal macrophages and Peyer’s patch cells with increase in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-6 levels in ICR mice (). Macrophages in GALT function as antibacterial guards, by phagocytosing and killing any microbes that penetrate the lamina propria (). Therefore, C. sinensis was supposed to promote the activity of macrophages in GALT. The fact that cytokines such as GM-CSF and IL-6 play an important role in systemic immune cells suggests that C. sinensis modulates the systemic immune system partly through a mechanism mediated by Peyer’s patch cell (). In mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes, C. sinensis aqueous extract enhanced the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ from Th1 cells. Besides, the extract improved IgA release from resting and concanavalin A–stimulated MLN lymphocytes, whereas increased production of IgA at mucosal surfaces could promote an anti-inflammatory environment by neutralizing antigens (). Furthermore, C. sinensis and C. scarabaecola showed intestinal immune system modulating activity by activation of T lymphocytes in Peyer’s patch (; ).

In summary, studies reveal that cordyceps has effects on both innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Furthermore, cordyceps also has a modulatory effect on gut immune system, which may further influence systemic immune function.

5.4. ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including molecular oxygen (O2), superoxide anion (O2-), H2O2, hydroxyl radical (OH), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl; ), are well recognized as playing a dual role in biological systems, since they can be either beneficial or harmful to living systems (). Normally, ROS form the natural by-products of aerobic metabolism and play a physiological role in cell signaling. However, the concentration of ROS can increase dramatically during times of environmental stress such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation or heat, causing damage to the lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids of cells. This injury to cell structures leads to several diseases, such as senescence, cancer, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory lung diseases, immune dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders (; ; ).

There is increasing evidence that cordyceps has antioxidant activity, which may be one of the mechanisms behind the antiaging, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerosis, and immunomodulatory effects of cordyceps (Table 5.1). As far as different parts of C. sinensis are concerned, the fruiting bodies showed a similar potency with caterpillars in their antioxidant activities in xanthine oxidase assay, induction of hemolysis assay, and lipid-peroxidation assay (). The results also demonstrated that the caterpillar has a similar chemical composition to the fruiting body, which indicates that the function of the worm in cordyceps is to provide a growth medium for the fruiting body, and the caterpillar is eventually totally invaded by cordyceps mycelia ().

TABLE 5.1. Antioxidant Activity In Vitro and In Vivo of Cordyceps.

TABLE 5.1

Antioxidant Activity In Vitro and In Vivo of Cordyceps.

Both water (; ; ) and ethanol (; ; ) extracts of cordyceps showed significant antioxidant activity in vitro. However, the water extract exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals than the ethanol extract (). Furthermore, both natural C. sinensis and cultured cordyceps showed direct and potent antioxidant activities using in vitro assays, such as lipid-peroxidation assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and protein-peroxidation assay. Therefore, cultured cordyceps can be used for antioxidant activity, relieving human demands on natural C. sinensis, an endangered species (; ; ).

5.5. ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY

Cordyceps has hypoglycemic activity in normal animals. The oral administration of a cordyceps carbohydrate extract “Cs-4” at 2 g/kg/day for 25 days increased insulin sensitivity, and the extract had potential beneficial effects by maintaining whole-body glucose disposal with a less-pronounced increase in insulin secretion after a carbohydrate challenge in rats (). In another study, normal rats fed with Cs-4 at 250 or 500 mg/kg/day for 17 days showed significant decreases in fasting blood glucose level by 27% and 24%, respectively, and the fasting plasma insulin of rats in the 500-mg/kg group decreased by 37%. Furthermore, oral glucose tolerance tests demonstrated that the extract significantly improved glucose tolerance at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 hours after ingestion of glucose ().

Cordyceps also showed an antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic animals. Although fruiting bodies of natural C. sinensis (4 g/kg/day) had no effect on the fasting insulin level in diabetic rats (), it improved the weight and attenuated water intake (day 15 to day 29), fasting blood glucose level (day 15 to day 26), and serum concentration of fructosamine (day 29) in diabetic rats. Fruiting bodies of C. sinensis also improved thymus weight and glucose tolerance (day 26;  and ). However, in this experiment, C. sinensis had no effect on serum triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations of diabetic rats ().  also found that the aqueous extract of cultured C. militaris had no effect on fasting insulin level or glucose uptake in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the extract was found to lower fasting serum glucose level, reduce triglycerides level in soleus muscles, increase the whole-body glucose disposal rate, as well as enhance glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) content and fraction velocity of glycogen synthase in the soleus and quadriceps muscles in 90% pancreatectomized rats that were fed C. militaris extract at 500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks ().

Interestingly, fruiting bodies, not caterpillars, of C. sinensis had an effect on lowering the fasting blood glucose level and increasing the thymus weight (). However, fermented mycelia and broth of C. sinensis had similar antihyperglycemic effect with fruiting bodies in nicotinamide and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (). Therefore, the fermented products of cordyceps can be developed as potential antidiabetic agents or functional foods for persons with a high risk of diabetes mellitus.

5.6. SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITY

Testosterone is necessary for normal sperm development. It activates genes in Sertoli cells, which promote differentiation of spermatogonia. Cordyceps has traditionally been used for the enhancement of sexual function in human beings. Evidence shows that C. sinensis and C. militaris can improve reproductive activity and restore impaired reproductive function (Table 5.2). The administration of C. sinensis enhanced libido and sexual activity, and restored impaired reproductive function in both sexes in human (). Such effects are related to the enhancement of testosterone release in plasma through cAMP (adenosine monophosphate)-protein kinase A signal pathway (). Fractions of cultured mycelia of C. sinensis with water- soluble low-molecular-weight proteins and polysaccharides of relatively poor water solubility and protein, but not fractions with water-soluble low-molecular-weight polysaccharides, increased testosterone levels in mice (; ). A protein in C. sinensis contributed to the observed hypotensive and vasorelaxant properties by improving the production of NO (); this protein might help the penis trap blood for erection, thereby improving sexual function ().

TABLE 5.2. Effect of C. sinensis and C. militaris on Sexual and Reproductive Function.

TABLE 5.2

Effect of C. sinensis and C. militaris on Sexual and Reproductive Function.

5.7. ANTIFATIGUE ACTIVITY

Fatigue is defined as difficulty in initiating or sustaining voluntary activity (), and can be classified into mental and physical fatigue (). Fatigue is a common symptom in sickness and in health. Chronic fatigue can affect an individual’s performance. In addition, long-term accumulated fatigue can lead to karoshi (a Japanese word meaning death as a result of overwork). In China, cordyceps is used to restore health after various diseases and to hasten recovery from exhaustion because of its adaptogenic (antistress) properties and ability to enhance endurance and strength ().

Oral administration of C. sinensis mycelia water extract at 150 mg/kg/day for 7 days () or ingestion of fruiting bodies of C. militaris at 500 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks () significantly prolonged the swimming time of mice by about 20 and 24 minutes, respectively. This effect was related to the enhancement of immunity. The administration of C. sinensis at 150 mg/kg/day for 8 days inhibited the increase of total cholesterol and the decrease of alkaline phosphatase in rats, as well as significantly reversed the decreased weight of liver, adrenal gland, thymus, and thyroid (). The involvement of cordyceps in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production also accounts for a decrease in physical fatigue when it is administered. The oral administration of cultured C. sinensis extract (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) not only improved hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in dietary hypoferric anemic mice for 4 weeks () but also increased significantly the ATP/inorganic phosphate ratio in the liver of normal mice for 3 weeks () or for 7 days () with no steatosis, necrosis, inflammation, or fibrosis in the liver specimens ( and ). Treatment with natural or cultured cordyceps extracts (1 g/kg/day, p.o.) for 3 days enhanced myocardial ATP generation capacity ex vivo in mice by 29% and 32%, respectively, which might be mediated by the enhancement of mitochondrial electron transport ().

Patients having chronic fatigue syndrome often have depression. Around 30–70% of such patients show the features of major depression (). Supercritical fluid extract (SCCS, 2.5–10 mL/kg, p.o.), other than hot water extract (500–2000 mg/kg, p.o.), of C. sinensis show significant antidepressant-like activity. After 5 days of administration, SCCS shortened immobility times in the mouse-tail suspension test, although it had no effect on locomotor activity in the mouse open field test. It was considered that SCCS played an antidepressant-like role by affecting the adrenergic and dopaminergic systems other than the serotonergic system (). In addition, cordyceps has a powerful antioxidant effect, which may eliminate the ROS produced in working muscles during exercise and help in relieving fatigue (). Finally, C. sinensis induced a more efficient utilization and consumption of O2, which resulted in a greater survival rate under a hypoxic environment () in mice. The results indicate a more efficient use of O2 by cordyceps to support essential physiological activities of tissues and improve tolerance to hypoxia-induced acidosis. However, few clinical trials have been conducted on the antifatigue effect of cordyceps, and most of the conducted tests were methodologically flawed, especially in the inclusion of other drugs in the experiments. For instance, capsules containing Cs-4, Rhodiaola rosea, and other ingredients did not enhance muscle-tissue oxygen saturation () and cycling performance () in healthy men. Similarly, ingestion of a supplement containing cultured C. sinensis, adenylpyrophosphoric acid, calcium pyruvate, and yohimbine hydrochloride once 1 hour before a sport activity showed no ergogenic effects in healthy men (). One reason may be that the ingestion schema of C. sinensis was insufficient to elicit positive changes in humans. A 1-week loading phase followed by at least a 2–4-week maintenance phase may be needed to obtain the effect of promoting aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue. Another reason may be that as these experiments were performed on healthy persons, there were fewer margins for physiological, health, and performance improvement than in diseased or elderly persons ().

5.8. PROTECTIVE EFFECT ON THE KIDNEY

C. sinensis has been used for the treatment of renal diseases, such as chronic nephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, chronic renal dysfunction or failure, and nephritic syndrome (). The C. sinensis extract significantly improved renal function via antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia and following 3 days of reperfusion of the kidneys. Downregulation of the apoptotic gene of caspase-3 accompanied the decreases in inflammatory genes such as MCP-1, TNF-α, and iNOS. The result indicates that C. sinensis plays a potential therapeutic role in renal transplantation ().

Another mechanism by which cordyceps protects the kidney is its inhibitory effect on mesangial cell proliferation. It has been suggested that glomerular sclerosis is preceded by proliferation of mesangial cells that exhibit smooth muscle cell features and accumulation of mesangial extracellular matrix. Both C. sinensis and C. militaris, at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, significantly reversed the proliferation of human mesangial cell stimulated by low-density lipoprotein (LDL; ). Moreover, C. sinensis could protect the kidney from cyclosporine A–induced chronic nephrotoxicity, with lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interstitial edema and fibrosis, and bulbular necrosis (). Furthermore, administration of a water extract of cordyceps had a protective effect in rats with acute renal failure induced by gentamicin. The possible mechanisms include protection of sodium pump activity, lowering of lipoperoxidation in tubular cells, and attenuation of lysosomal overactivity in tubular cells (; ). In addition, C. sinensis enhanced cellular immunity in rats with chronic renal failure ().

Clinical trials have also shown some evidence for the use of cordyceps as a renoprotectant remedy ( and ). For example, Bailing capsule, a preparation made from C. sinensis mycelia, ameliorated the rejection of renal transplant, improved renal and liver function, regulated hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia, stimulated hemopoietic function, and decreased the incidence of infections in patients after renal transplant (; ). In patients with chronic renal failure, ingestion of another cordyceps product Cs-4, called JinShuiBao, also significantly promoted renal function, which decreased serum urea and creatinine and increased total blood protein and calcium ().

5.9. EFFECT ON THE LIVER

Cordyceps has been used in clinical practice for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and related diseases (). There are several ways in which it contributes to the treatment of and protection against liver disease. First, cordyceps has a potential enhancing effect on the immunological function of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B () and from posthepatic cirrhosis (). Second, cordyceps was shown to inhibit and reverse liver fibrosis via degradation of collagen in rats with liver cirrhosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (; ), inhibit proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in vitro (), downregulate intercellular adhesion molecule-I (an index of liver fibrogenesis) and CD126 in human fibroblasts (), and decrease expression of transforming growth factor-β and platelet-driven growth factor (). Third, cordyceps decreased lipid peroxide levels in serum and hepatic tissue, and lowered serum TNF-α in bacillus calmette guerin plus LPS-induced liver injury in mice ().

5.10. ACTIVE COMPONENTS

Many active ingredients, such as cordycepin, polysaccharides, and ergosterol, have been isolated from various Cordyceps species and account for a range of bioactivities (Table 5.3).

TABLE 5.3. Chemical Compounds in Cordyceps and Their Pharmacological Activities.

TABLE 5.3

Chemical Compounds in Cordyceps and Their Pharmacological Activities.

5.10.1. Nucleosides and Their Activities

Nucleosides are one of the major ingredients in cordyceps. To date, more than 10 nucleosides and their related components, including adenine, adenosine, cytidine, cytosine, guanine, guanosine, uracil, uridine, hypoxanthine, inosine, thymine, thymidine, 2′-deoxyuridine, 2′-deoxyadenosine, cordycepin, N6-methyladenosine, and 6-hydroxyethyl-adenosine, have been isolated and/or identified in cordyceps (). Adenosine A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors are distributed in the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, and are involved in central nervous system (CNS)-mediated events such as sleep, immunological response, respiratory regulation, cardiovascular function, and liver and kidney activity (). Interestingly, the pharmacological effects of cordyceps match well with the distribution and physiological roles of adenosine receptors, including anticancer, antiaging, antithrombosis, antiarrhythmias, and antihypertension; immunomodulatory activity; and protective effects on the kidney, liver, and lung ().

Macrophages express adenosine A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors. Activation of these receptors results in the upregulation of IL-10; downregulation of IL-12 and TNF-α and increase of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and NO, respectively (). The ratio of uridine:inosine:guanosine at 8:11:5, which is the ratio of natural C. sinensis, showed an enhancement effect on the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-1 from resting primary mouse macrophages, whereas it had no effect on LPS-stimulated cells (). However, uridine:adenosine:guanosine at a ratio of 11:7:9, the ratio found in cultured C. sinensis, improved NO, TNF-α, and IL-1 production in resting macrophages while suppressing the release of cytokine from LPS-stimulated cells (). The results indicate that different components act on different subreceptors; therefore, different ratios of these nucleosides result in different immune responses in macrophages.

Cordycepin was isolated from cultured C. militaris in 1950 (), and was identified as 3′-deoxyadenosine in 1964 (). It mainly exists in cultured C. militaris, and there is little in natural and none in cultured C. sinensis (). Cordycepin possesses anticancer, immunomodulating, and antioxidant abilities. Ongoing phase I/II clinical trials are investigating cordycepin in the treatment of TdT-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia. A study demonstrated that cordycepin showed a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. The growth of B16 cells was inhibited by 60 μM of cordycepin by 70.1% at 72 hours, and this effect was induced by stimulating adenosine A3 receptors followed by the signaling pathway of GSK-3β activation and cyclin D1 inhibition (). Furthermore, Won et al. found that cordycepin diminished the production of ROS (O2, and H2O2) in platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF- BB)-induced vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro, which helped inhibit the neointima formation and vascular sprout outgrowth in response to PDGF-BB. The A1/A2 adenosine-receptor antagonist dipropyl-8-sulphophenylxanthine (DPSPX; 10 nM, 60 minutes) reversed the inhibition of PDGF-BB–induced migration evoked by cordycepin. The A1/A2 receptors are widely expressed in vascular cells and exert cardioprotective effects. Therefore, cordycepin may act as an antiatherosclerotic agent by activating the A1/A2 receptor ().

5.10.2. Sterols and Their Activities

Several sterols, including ergosterol, H1-A, Δ3ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, ergosteryl-3-0-β- D-glucopyranoside, cereisterol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, cholesterol, 22, 23-dihydroergosteryl-3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside, cholesteryl palmitate, campesterol, and dihydrobrassicasterol, have been identified in cordyceps (). Ergosterol exists in both free and combined forms in cordyceps, and the content of the free form is fairly high in both natural and cultured cordyceps (). Ergosterol is a biological precursor of vitamin D2, needed for bone development in humans. The sterol β-sitosterol is found mainly in natural cordyceps and commercial cultured C. sinensis, whereas it is lacking in commercial cultured C. militaris and cultured C. sinensis in Yang′s laboratory (). In Europe, P-sitosterol plays a major role in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (). Phytosterols, especially β-sitosterol, play a protective role against colon, prostate, and breast cancer (). Moreover, phytosterols, mainly β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, decrease cholesterol absorption while being poorly absorbed themselves (). The bioactivities of sterols are helpful in elucidating some therapeutic indications of cordyceps such as in hyperlipidemia and cancer.

5.10.3. Free Fatty Acids and Their Activities

Ten free fatty acids (FFAs), that is, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, docosanoic acid, and lignoceric acid, have been found in natural C. sinensis, C. liangshanensis, and C. gunnii, as well as in cultured C. sinensis and C. militaris. Among these FFAs, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid are the major components in natural and cultured cordyceps. Natural cordyceps contains more palmitic acid and oleic acid than cultured (). The FFAs are not only essential nutritional compounds but also modulators of many cellular functions through their receptors. The FFA receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, including G-protein receptor (GPR) 40, GPR41, GPR43, GPR120, and GPR84 (; ; ). The activation of FFA receptors exhibits several physiological effects (Table 5.4); they, therefore, are purported to be novel therapeutic targets for diabetes, dyslipidemia, and immunomodulation, especially type 2 diabetes.

TABLE 5.4. Summary of Free Fatty Acid Receptor Ligands and Physiological Roles in Various Tissues.

TABLE 5.4

Summary of Free Fatty Acid Receptor Ligands and Physiological Roles in Various Tissues.

Pentadecanoic acid (C15) and palmitic acid (C16) are the most potent FFAs on GPR40, and can activate the GPR40 receptor and stimulate calcium release (). This, in turn, triggers insulin release from the β-cells of the pancreas, thus producing a hypoglycemic effect. Both these FFAs exist in both wild and cultured cordyceps, palmitic acid being a main ingredient, and palmitic acid may be one of the active hypoglycemic components in cordyceps. On the other hand, FFAs in cordyceps may also indirectly promote glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and then inhibit plasma glucose level by activation of GPR120 in the intestinal tract (). The receptors GPR41, GPR43, and GPR84 are expressed on immune cells. Activation of these receptors by FFAs induces an immunomodulatory effect () and cordyceps contains FFAs and possesses significant relevant activity, indicating that the FFAs in the cordyceps contribute to its immunomodulatory mechanisms.

5.10.4. Carbohydrates and Their Activities

Cordyceps not only contains a high amount of polysaccharides, ranging from 3–8% of the total dry weight, but also contains a high amount of D-mannitol. D-mannitol, also called cordycepic acid, was isolated from C. sinensis in 1957. It is one of the major compounds in natural and cultured cordyceps, which contributes over 3.4% () and 2.4% () of total dry weight, respectively. Due to its osmotic activity, D-mannitol has long been used for the treatment of cerebral edema and refractory intracranial hypertension in traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke (), as well as in acute renal failure (). The inhalation of dry, powdered mannitol is a useful therapeutic agent for patients with cystic fibrosis () and bronchiectasis (); the inhaled powder increases mucociliary clearance by rehydrating the airway. Mannitol is also used as a diagnostic test for airway hyper-responsivenes to help in the diagnosis of asthma (). These pharmacological effects of D-mannitol can thus be one important reason for cordyceps being used to treat some respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, renal dysfunction and renal failure, and hypertension.

5.11. CONCLUSIONS

C. sinensis is a valued traditional Chinese medicine. Because it is rare and expensive, several other natural cordyceps, cultured mycelia, and fruiting bodies of cordyceps have become its main substitutes in commercial health food formulations. Experiments have shown that cordyceps has several bioactivities, such as antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, sexual and reproductive function enhancement, hypoglycemic, and antifatigue activities, and have a protective effect on the kidney and liver. Different compounds contribute to different bioactivities. Normally, the cultured mycelia of cordyceps are as effective as those found in natural cordyceps. Cordyceps is quite safe in the in vivo treatment of animals for up to 3 weeks. Fermented products of cordyceps, along with natural C. sinensis, could be potential agents or functional foods for maintaining human health.

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1 comment


  • Dr. Nancy, Pharm.D.

    The body is a structure of complex organ systems performing hundreds chemical reactions simultaneously protecting, managing, and regenerating. This starts with the largest organ, the skin, that is the protection for the many internal operations.
    We all came with similar parts and functions, but some may not work as well or have been neglected. For optimal performance, improvement, and to achieve the best health, it takes active participation and a responsibility to properly inspect, fuel, and maintain all systems, by establish a personal wellness program.
    Just as it is known that there is no “Silver Bullet” to obtain optimum health and performance, it is known that our program must include a selection of the basics—proper foods, multiple vitamins and minerals. Then there comes the task of selecting appropriate supplements that cultivate sound function, wellness, healthspan, and address any problem health issues.
    Cordyceps is a basic and essential addition, when it comes to improving everyone’s overall health program. It is a supplement that will provide excellent results and a base to build around. I take it and recommend it. You can trust L&L Supplement to provide a reliable, safe and effective Cordyceps product, manufactured with the highest standards.


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Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug