Cordyceps sinensis is an herb that has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A fungus that grows on caterpillar larvae, cordyceps is traditionally used to improve reproductive function, prevent fatigue, and prevent aging [1, 2]. Studies indicate that it modulates immune response, inhibits tumor growth, decreases blood pressure, improves the bioenergy status of the liver, and enhances reproductive function [3]. It has a variety of active ingredients, including some unique polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, nonhormonal sterols, trace elements, flavones, 2'-deoxyadenosine, and cordycepin [2-3]. Cordyceps is an adaptogen that may be useful in increasing endurance, improving general health, and increasing testosterone levels. This article will examine some of the more well known pharmacological activities of cordyceps.

Like other adaptogens, cordyceps may both decrease fatigue and increase physical endurance. When administered to mice, cordyceps increases swimming endurance capacity from 75 minutes to 90 minutes, and when given to rats, cordyceps prevents the weight changes of various glands during a period of chronic stress as well as preventing other biochemical stress markers [4]. In double-blind, placebo controlled trials in humans, cordyceps has significantly improved aerobic capacity in healthy elderly volunteers in cycling ergometer tests and significantly increased maximal oxygen intake and total ventilation capacity during incremental work-rate cycling [2, 5]. In another 6 week trial, cordyceps decreased basal glucose, blood lactic acid, and respiratory exchange ratio during prolonged submaximal exercise in healthy volunteers, indicating improved glucose metabolism and increased lipid oxidation during exercise [2, 5]. Cordyceps also facilitates the adaption to hypoxic (low-oxygen) environments in mice [2].

Cordyceps may also increase testosterone levels, and this effect has been seen in multiple in vitro studies [1, 3, 6]. This effect was also recently seen in vivo in mice with low testosterone production, in which cordyceps increased plasma testosterone levels by approximately 170% [1]. It is hypothesized that the testosterone increase is due to polysaccharides and/or glycoproteins in cordyceps that are similar to LH in structure and bind to LH receptors, stimulating testosterone production [1].

There is a wide body of evidence showing that cordyceps both acts as an antioxidant and directly modulates the immune system [7]. Administration of cordyceps to humans has been reported to increase superoxide dismutase activity by 54% [2]. In animal studies, cordyceps decreases lipid peroxides and inhibits the development of atherosclerosis caused by oxidative stress [8, 9] and decreases levels of LDL cholesterol [8, 10]. In addition to these cardiovascular benefits, coryceps decreases blood pressure by increasing levels of nitric oxide, and for this reason it may be helpful both for those with hypertension and for those with erectile dysfunction [11, 12].

Improved insulin sensitivity due to cordyceps has been demonstrated in both normal rats and humans [2, 5]. These effects are presumably mediated by the polysaccharide fraction of cordyceps, and multiple polysaccharides from cordyceps which reduce blood sugar in diabetic mice have been identified [13-15]. It should be noted that cordyceps should be used with caution by those with low blood sugar.

There are a number of other uses for cordyceps, such as cancer prevention, increasing liver and kidney health, and treatment of airway inflammation and autoimmune diseases. A number of sterols that inhibit tumor growth have been identified in cordyceps [16]. According to the results of an open trial with 36 patients with advanced cancer, cordyceps offered some benefits such as improved immunological function and quality of life [17], but this effect has yet to be guaged in a controlled trial. However, cordyceps inhibits the proliferation of both leukemia and and lung cancer in vitro [18, 19]. In addition to improving the bioenergy status of the liver [2], cordyceps has shown promise in treating hepatitis B in humans [20] and inhibiting hepatic fibrosis in rats [21]. Finally, cordyceps can be used to treat lung and bronchial inflammation and asthma due to immunomodulatory effects [22].

1 gram daily is an effective dose, although 1-3 grams daily is commonly used and some sources recommend using as much as 10 grams daily (especially for the treatment of specific conditions).

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