The Immune System May Be Modulated with Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium
- Researchers have found that the group of participants taking C, sinensis mycelium extracts showed a significant enhancement from the baseline of natural killer cell cytotoxic activity relative to the placebo group.
- This suggests that the immune system functions well with C. sinensis mycelium extract supplementation, perhaps with less accompanying inflammation, and it may be a safe and effective method for enhancing cell-mediated immunity in adults.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium May Enhance Cellular Immune Functions
- A study was done to document the effects of C. sinensis on T-lymphocyte subsets of patients with renal failure.
- End-stage renal disease is often associated with immune dysfunction and immune deficiency, which increases the susceptibility to further health conditions, such as infection and heart disease.
- Researchers found that the different polysaccharides in C. sinensis enhanced cellular immune function and phagocytic functions of monocyte-macrophages, and improved renal function.
Activate the Immune Response with Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium
- C. sinensis has been documented in treating respiratory infections by activating the immune response via innate immunity promotion.
- It may also promote the adaptive immune system, which comprises the cellular and humoral immunity.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Can Help Fight Infections
- Researchers looked at streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SPE B), a virulent factor in group A streptococcal infections.
- SPE B can reduce the body's ability to engulf and destroy harmful substances (phagocytosis).
- They found that C. sinensis mycelium extract blocked the SPE B-mediated suppression of phagocytosis and increased the body's ability to engulf harmful substances.
- This suggests that C sinensis mycelium extract may help the immune system fight back against certain infections.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Can Defend Against Cancer
- Researchers have found that certain compounds from C. sinensis mycelium can be harmful to promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60 cells), a type of cancer cell.
- They extracted and identified five compounds. Some of these compounds could cause significant harm to leukemia cells, such as causing cell death, through the activation of certain enzymes.
- Other studies have found that C. sinensis mycelium extracts showed a significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of four cancer cell lines—MCF-7 breast cancer, B16 mouse melanoma, HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia, and HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma.
- They noted that the extracts have strong anti-tumor activity and may be a potential source of natural anti-tumor products.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Can Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels
- Studies have found that a substance derived from the cultivated mycelium of C. sinensis could lower the blood sugar level in mice.
- Researchers have also found that it could boost the activities of certain enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, such as glucokinase and hexokinase, which helped in
managing blood sugar levels.
Keep Energy Up with Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium
- Researchers have found that polysaccharides from C. sinensis mycelium extended the exhaustive swimming time, increased hepatic and muscle glycogen levels, and decreased the blood lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen levels of mice.
- This shows that the polysaccharides have an anti-fatigue effect.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
- Scientists have found an extract of C. sinensis mycelium, called CBG-CS-2, that can help reduce inflammation and the production of nitric oxide in certain cells when exposed to LPS, which is a trigger for inflammation.
- It appears to work by stopping cells from making the enzyme iNOS. It does this by inhibiting activation of NF-B and AP-1.
- The therapeutic effects of these fungi, such as suppression of autoimmune diseases and allergy, have often been associated with their immunomodulatory effects.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Helps Support Lung Health
- In a study using rats with silicosis, an occupational lung disease characterized by persistent inflammation in the lungs, subsequent fibrosis and scarring, and lung dysfunction, researchers have found that C. sinensis mycelium could protect the lungs from damage.
- It reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the concentration of interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, and transforming growth factor-ß1, and decreased the expression of collagen, a-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin in the lungs of silicosis rats.
- This ultimately led to less inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
Strong Antioxidant Properties Are Found in Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium
- Researchers showed that extracts from cultured C. Sinensis mycelium have strong antioxidant effects.
- They were particularly effective in inhibiting the peroxidation of linoleic acid, a type of fatty acid. In this regard, they outperformed other antioxidants like a-tocopherol.
- The extracts also showed the ability to scavenge harmful molecules, such as superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals.
Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Can Protect Kidney Health
- C. sinensis mycelium preparations have already been approved for treating diabetic kidney disease in China.
- Research has shown that using these preparations, especially in combination with other medications, can be beneficial for diabetic kidney disease treatment.
- They may reduce protein in the urine, ease kidney damage, and slow down the progression of the disease compared to those who use medications alone.
- It is also worth noting that there have been no reports of adverse reactions to the prolonged use of the Cordyceps preparations so far.
Liver Health May Be Supported with Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium
- Using mice with liver damage, researchers looked at the effects of C. sinensis mycelium in cases of acute liver injury.
- They measured liver function markers, examined liver inflammation and structure, and looked at the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and the sub-endothelial basement membrane.
- The results showed the mice treated with C. sinensis mycelium had improved liver function as well as reduced inflammation and decreased oxidative damage in the liver.
- C. sinensis mycelium also helped maintain the structural integrity of the liver's microvasculature and reduced the activity of enzymes associated with tissue damage.
Cultivated Cordyceps sinensis Is Just As Good As Wild Cordyceps sinensis
- The main nutritional composition of cultivated and wild C. sinensis is identical.
- However, in a controlled setting, heavy metal contamination can be avoided, resulting in a higher quality product.
Vegans Need Not Beware
- Cultivated C. sinensis can be grown using grain-based substrates, and thus is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly!
- However, wild C. sinensis grows parasitically on insects, and so may not be considered vegan-friendly.
How Cordyceps mycelium is being made:
1️⃣ Cordyceps sinensis mycelium strain
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This is the starting culture (like a “seed” in plant terms). It contains the active cordyceps cells needed for growth.
2️⃣ Inoculation
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The mycelium strain is introduced into a nutrient medium. Think of this as planting the seed into suitable soil.
3️⃣ Germination
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The mycelium begins to wake up and grow. Fine, thread-like structures start forming.
4️⃣ Mycelial expansion
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These threads spread and multiply, creating a dense network. This is where bioactive compounds (like polysaccharides and cordycepin-related compounds) are actively produced.
5️⃣ Mycelium
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At this stage, the mycelium is fully developed. Many modern cordyceps products use this mycelium because it is : Stable, Controllable, Sustainable, Rich in functional nutrients
- Under specific conditions, the mycelium can form a fruiting body (the visible mushroom-like structure). In nature, this process is rare and slow. In supplementation, mycelium is more commonly used due to consistency and safety.
- The harvested mycelium is dried and made into powder
Joselyne
