C. Cancer
A possibly valuable therapeutic application of
Cordyceps is its potential as a treatment for cancer,
as well as an adjunct to chemotherapy, radiation,
and other conventional and traditional cancer
treatments.1,2,3,17
1. Animal Studies
The survival time of mice inoculated with murine
B16 melanoma cells and treated with a combination
of water extracts from C. sinensis and the
chemotherapy agent, methotrexate, has been shown
to be signifi cantly longer than the survival time of
either the untreated control group or those treated
with methotrexate alone, indicating that some water
extracts of C. sinensis may be benefi cial in the
prevention of tumor metastasis.28
Antitumor and immunostimulating activities
were observed in the treatment of mice inoculated
with Sarcoma 180 tumor cells, when treated
with an ethanol extract of C. sinensis,29 whereas
a study using murine models verifi ed that oral
administration of a hot water extract of C. sinensis
consequently resulted in the activation of
macrophages, thereby increasing the production
of granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor
([GM-CSF] a naturally occurring substance
that is made by the body in response to infection
or infl ammation) and IL-6, which act on the
systemic immune system.30 In a study of mice
subcutaneously implanted with lymphoma cells,
oral administration of an extract of C. sinensis
led to a decrease in tumor size and a prolonged
survival time.31 Furthermore, mice treated with
cyclophosphamide, which suppresses immune
function, also treated with the same hot water
extract, saw their immune function return to normal,
as measured by the IgM and IgG response
and macrophage activity.31 Further evidence of
the immune-enhancing action of C. sinensis was
provided by another study treating mice inoculated
with Erhlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells with
a warm water extract of Cordyceps. The median
survival time of the treated mice compared to
untreated controls was over 300%, and the lack
of activity of the extract against EAC cells grown
in vitro indicated that the antitumor effect in the
mice may be attributed to a host-mediated immune
response, rather than direct cytotoxicity.32
Oral administration of polysaccharide fractions
CI-P and CI-A, derived from C. sinensis, in doses
of 1–10 mg/kg per day, demonstrated antitumor
activities in mice inoculated with Sarcoma 180.
Similar results were observed with an alkali-soluble
polysaccharide (CI-6P), derived from the species
C. sobolifera, when administered in doses of 10 mg/
kg/day.2 In a related study, β-(1-3)-D-glucan, fraction
CO-1, and the galactosaminoglycan fraction
CO-N, derived from C. ophioglossoides, inhibited
the growth of ascitic Sarcoma 180. Increased immune
function was noted as well, quantifi ed by an
increase in carbon clearance activity.33,34
It is well established that numerous fungalderived
simple- and protein-bound polysaccharides
exert a signifi cant potentiation of immune
function.17 This is thought to be one of the major
mechanisms of antitumor activity in Cordyceps.
Among the multiple polysaccharides produced
by C. sinensis, β-D-glucans are one class of
polymers that have been shown to increase both
innate and cell-mediated immune response. These
polysaccharides increase the production of such
cytokines as TNF-α, interleukins, interferons, NO,
and antibodies by the activated immune cells. This
activation of an immune response may be triggered
by polysaccharide binding to specifi c receptors on
the surface of the immune system cells, such as the
CR3 receptors, and other receptors.35,36 They are also
thought to be involved in cell-to-cell communications,
perhaps acting as messenger molecules.
There is evidence of another mechanism at
play in the antitumor response of Cordyceps, as
well, pertaining to the structure of at least one, and
possibly more, of the altered nucleosides found in
some species of Cordyceps and exemplifi ed by the
compound cordycepin [3′-deoxyadenosine] (see
Fig. 6). These deoxynucleosides interfere with
DNA replication in tumor cells. Such interference
is reduced in normal healthy cells by the operation
of a DNA repair mechanism, which is absent
in tumor cells, and by the fact that tumor cells
generally multiply at a rate well in excess of that
of normal cells.
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228 International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
JOHN HOLLIDAY & MATT CLEAVER
2. Clinical Trials
Clinical studies have been conducted in China
and Japan involving cancer patients,37 yielding
positive results. In one study of 50 patients with
lung cancer who were administered C. sinensis
at 6 grams per day, in conjunction with chemotherapy,
tumors were reduced in size in 46% of the
patients studied. A trial involving cancer patients
with several different types of tumors found that
C. sinensis, taken over a 2-month period at 6 g per
day, improved subjective symptoms in the majority
of patients. White blood cell counts were kept
at 3000 per cubic millimeter or higher, and even
with radiation or chemotherapy, other immunological
parameters showed no signifi cant change,
whereas tumor size was signifi cantly reduced in
approximately half of the patients observed, indicating
an improved tolerance for radiation and/
or chemotherapy.5
A serious side effect to the use of conventional
cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy is the
suppression of the patient’s immune system. The
use of C. sinensis in combination with conventional
chemotherapy appears to have an immunostimulatory
effect, which enhances the effectiveness
of conventional chemotherapy by balancing its
side effects.
The belief in the effi cacy of C. sinensis against
cancer is widespread in the Orient, and many cancer
patients in Japan, Korea, and China are taking
Cordyceps or some other mushroom-derived immunomodulator
(such as PSK, PSP, Lentinan, AHCC,
heteropolysaccharide complex formula [Immune
Assist™], and arabinoxylanes [MGN3™]) while
undergoing conventional treatment.5,37,38
D. Immunomodulating Effects
The immune-enhancing effects of C. sinensis have
been alluded to in the above discussions. It is of
interest to note that the fungus that produces the immunosuppressive
drug cyclosporin, Tolypocladium
infl atum, was discovered in 1996 to be the asexual
stage of yet another Cordyceps species, C. subsessilus.
15 Thus, the same genus of fungus that was used
for centuries to provide immune stimulation was
now known to provide an immune suppressant that
is valuable in organ transplantation surgery.
Other such experiments demonstrating both inhibiting
as well as potentiating effects of Cordyceps
are controversial, and the effects observed are possibly
the result of differing experimental conditions
and variables. However, with such evidence of a
possibly bi-directional immune-modulating effect,
further research is in order.
Although the drug cyclosporin has enabled
some advances in medicine by facilitating the
transplant of organs, there has been a drawback to
its use. The high toxicity of cyclosporin has caused
many patients to suffer from serious kidney damage
related to the use of the drug. In 1995, a study was
undertaken in China in which 69 kidney transplant
patients were given either cyclosporin alone or in
conjunction with C. sinensis, at 3 grams per day.
After 15 days it was clearly evident that the group
receiving C. sinensis in addition to cyclosporin had
a much lower incidence of kidney damage than the
group receiving only cyclosporin, as measured by
the levels of urinary NAG, serum creatinine, and
blood urea nitrate.39
E. Kidney Ailments
Traditional views of the Cordyceps species held that
its consumption strengthened the kidneys. Studies
have shown that much of the kidney-enhancing
potential of Cordyceps stems from its ability to increase
17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17- ketosteroid
levels in the body.5
Chronic renal failure is a serious disease, one
often affecting the elderly. In a study among 51
patients suffering from chronic renal failure, it
was found that the administration of 3–5 grams
per day of C. sinensis signifi cantly improved both
kidney function and overall immune function of
treated patients, compared to the untreated control
group.40
Patients with chronic renal failure or reduced
kidney function often suffer from hypertension,
proteinuria, and anemia. In a study with such
patients, it was found that after one month on
C. sinensis, a 15% reduction in blood pressure
was observed. Urinary protein was also reduced.
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Volume 10, Issue 3, 2008 229
MEDICINAL VALUE OF THE GENUS CORDYCEPS (FR.) LINK (ASCOMYCETES). A REVIEW
Additionally, increases in superoxide dismutase
(SOD) were seen. The increase in SOD, coupled
with an observed decrease in serum lipoperoxide,
suggests an increase in the oxygen-free radicalscavenging
capacity, resulting in reduced oxidative
cellular damage.41
In another human clinical study, 57 patients
with gentamicin-induced kidney damage were either
treated with 4.5 grams of Cordyceps per day or by
other more conventional methods. After 6 days,
the group that received Cordyceps had recovered
89% of their normal kidney function, whereas the
control group had recovered only 45% of normal
kidney function. The time-to-recovery was also
signifi cantly shorter in the Cordyceps group when
compared to the control group.5
F. Hypoglycemic Effect
Another area of particular interest is the effect of
Cordyceps spp. on the blood glucose metabolism
system. Cordyceps sinensis has been tested in animal
and human trials to investigate its potential as an
agent in blood sugar regulation. In one randomized
trial, 95% of patients treated with 3 grams
per day of C. sinensis saw improvement in their
blood sugar profi les, whereas the control group
showed only a 54% improvement with
C. มะเร็งการใช้ยาอาจจะมีคุณค่าของCordyceps เป็นศักยภาพการรักษาโรคมะเร็งและเกียรติคุณการให้เคมีบำบัด รังสีและมะเร็งอื่น ๆ ทั่วไป และแบบดั้งเดิมtreatments.1,2,3,171. สัตว์ศึกษาเวลาการอยู่รอดของหนู inoculated กับ murineB16 melanoma เซลล์ และรับผสมน้ำสารสกัดจาก C. sinensis และเคมีบำบัดแทน methotrexate ได้รับการแสดงเป็น ความ cantly นานกว่าเวลาอยู่รอดกลุ่มควบคุมที่ไม่ถูกรักษาหรือผู้ที่รับการรักษากับ methotrexate คนเดียว แสดงว่า บางน้ำบางส่วนของ C. sinensis อาจ benefi ซึ่งกันและกันในการป้องกันเนื้องอก metastasis.28Antitumor และ immunostimulatingสุภัคของหนู inoculatedเซลล์เนื้องอก Sarcoma 180 เมื่อรับการรักษามีเอทานอลเป็นสารสกัดของ C. sinensis, 29 ขณะการศึกษาใช้ murine รุ่น verifi ed ที่ปากของสารสกัดน้ำร้อนของ C. sinensisจึง ส่งผลให้เกิดการเรียกใช้บังเอิญ จึงช่วยเพิ่มการผลิตของปัจจัยกระตุ้นโคโลฟิลโมโนไซต์([GM-CSF] เป็นสารที่เกิดขึ้นตามธรรมชาติที่ทำ ด้วยร่างกายตอบสนองต่อการติดเชื้อหรือ infl ammation) และ IL-6 ที่ดำเนินการsystem.30 ระบบภูมิคุ้มกันในการศึกษาของหนูsubcutaneously implanted คอลลาเซลล์ดูแลช่องปากของสารสกัดจากใบของ C. sinensisนำไปสู่การลดขนาดของเนื้องอกและเป็นนานรอด time.31 Furthermore หนูรักษาด้วยcyclophosphamide ซึ่งไม่ใส่ภูมิคุ้มกันฟังก์ชัน ถือว่าน้ำร้อนเหมือนกันแยก เห็นการทำงานของภูมิคุ้มกันกลับไปปกติวัดจากการตอบสนองต่อการระบาดของโรคและ IgGและ macrophage activity.31 ต่อหลักฐานมีการดำเนินการเสริมสร้างภูมิคุ้มกันของ C. sinensisโดยศึกษาอื่นรักษาหนู inoculatedมีท้องมาน Erhlich carcinoma (EAC) เซลล์ด้วยน้ำอุ่นแยกของ Cordyceps ค่ามัธยฐานเวลาหนูบำบัดเปรียบเทียบกับการอยู่รอดตัวควบคุมไม่ถูกรักษาถูกกว่า 300% และการขาดกิจกรรมของสารสกัดจากเซลล์ EAC ปลูกในเครื่องบ่งชี้ที่ผล antitumor ในการหนูอาจเกิดจากภูมิคุ้มกันที่โฮสต์ mediatedตอบ มากกว่า cytotoxicity.32 โดยตรงดูแลช่องปากของ polysaccharide เศษCI-P และ CI A สืบทอดจาก C. sinensis ในปริมาณของ 1 – 10 mg/kg ต่อวัน สาธิต antitumorกิจกรรมหนู inoculated กับ Sarcoma 180สุภัคผลลัพธ์คล้ายกับใบด่างละลายpolysaccharide (CI - 6P), มาจากสายพันธุ์C. sobolifera เมื่อจัดการในปริมาณ 10 มิลลิกรัม /kg/day.2 ในการศึกษาที่เกี่ยวข้อง -(1-3) β-D-glucan เศษส่วนCO-1 และเศษ galactosaminoglycanCO-N มาจาก C. ophioglossoides ห้ามการเจริญเติบโตของ ascitic Sarcoma 180 ภูมิคุ้มกันเพิ่มขึ้นฟังก์ชันถูกตั้งข้อสังเกตเช่น quantifi ed โดยการactivity.33,34 เคลียร์คาร์บอนเพิ่มขึ้นถูกกำหนดขึ้นดีที่ fungalderived มากมายง่าย และโปรตีนผูก polysaccharidesแรง potentiation การต้อนความของภูมิคุ้มกันfunction.17 นี้เป็นความคิดที่เป็นหลักการกลไกของกิจกรรม antitumor ใน Cordycepsระหว่าง polysaccharides หลายผลิตโดย C. sinensis β-D-glucans อยู่ชั้นหนึ่งโพลิเมอร์ที่ได้รับการแสดงเพื่อเพิ่มทั้งข้อสอบ และ mediated เซลล์ภูมิคุ้มกันตอบสนอง เหล่านี้polysaccharides เพิ่มเช่นการผลิตcytokines เป็น TNF-α interleukins เฟอร ไม่มีและแอนตี้ โดยเซลล์ภูมิคุ้มกันเรียกใช้งาน นี้เปิดใช้งานการตอบสนองภูมิคุ้มกันอาจจะถูกทริกเกอร์โดยผูก polysaccharide จะ specifi receptors c บนพื้นผิวของระบบภูมิคุ้มกัน เช่นเซลล์CR3 receptors และ receptors.35,36 อื่น ๆ ก็มีคิดว่า จะเกี่ยวข้องกับเซลล์ให้เซลล์สื่อสารอาจทำหน้าที่เป็น messenger โมเลกุลมีหลักฐานของกลไกอื่นที่เล่นเป็นการตอบสนอง antitumor Cordycepsดี เกี่ยวกับโครงสร้างของน้อย และอาจจะมากกว่า nucleosides เปลี่ยนแปลงพบในบางพันธุ์ Cordyceps และ exemplifi ed โดยผสม cordycepin [3′-deoxyadenosine] (ดูFig. 6) Deoxynucleosides เหล่านี้รบกวนจำลองดีเอ็นเอในเซลล์เนื้องอก สัญญาณรบกวนเช่นลดลงในเซลล์ปกติเพื่อสุขภาพ โดยการดำเนินการกลไกการซ่อมแซมดีเอ็นเอ ซึ่งจะขาดในเซลล์เนื้องอก และความจริงที่ว่าเซลล์เนื้องอกโดยทั่วไปคูณอัตราดีเกินกว่าที่ของเซลล์ปกติอิงค์เฮ้าส์ Begell, http://begellhouse.com ดาวน์โหลด 2008-8-10 จาก IP 76.227.123.206 โดยดร.จอห์น holliday (alohamed)สมุดรายวันระหว่างประเทศ 228 เห็ดยาย่อมเยาว์เช่นจอห์น HOLLIDAY และแมตต์2. คลินิกได้ดำเนินการศึกษาทางคลินิกในประเทศจีนและเกี่ยวข้องกับผู้ป่วยโรคมะเร็ง 37 ผลผลิตญี่ปุ่นผลบวก ในการศึกษาหนึ่งป่วย 50มะเร็งปอดที่จัดการ C. sinensisที่ 6 กรัมต่อวัน ร่วมกับเคมีบำบัดเนื้องอกไม่ลดลงในขนาด 46% ของการผู้ป่วยที่ศึกษา การทดลองที่เกี่ยวข้องกับผู้ป่วยโรคมะเร็งมีเนื้องอกชนิดต่าง ๆ พบว่าC. sinensis ใช้เวลา 2 เดือนที่ 6 กรัมต่ออาการตามอัตวิสัยวัน ปรับปรุงส่วนใหญ่ของผู้ป่วย ตรวจนับเม็ดเลือดขาวที่ถูกเก็บไว้ที่ 3000 ต่อลูกบาศก์มิลลิเมตร หรือสูงกว่า และแม้กระทั่งด้วยการฉายรังสี หรือเคมีบำบัด ระเบียบอื่น ๆพารามิเตอร์แสดงให้เห็นว่า ความไม่ไม่สามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงในขณะขนาดของเนื้องอก ลดความ cantly ในประมาณครึ่งหนึ่งของผู้ป่วยสังเกต แสดงยอมรับการปรับปรุงสำหรับรังสี และ /หรือ chemotherapy.5ผลข้างเคียงรุนแรงกับการใช้การปกติมะเร็งเคมีบำบัดและรังสีบำบัดปราบปรามระบบภูมิคุ้มกันของผู้ป่วย ที่ใช้ C. sinensis ร่วมกับธรรมดาเคมีบำบัดปรากฏได้ immunostimulatoryผล ซึ่งช่วยเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพของเคมีบำบัดแบบเดิมโดยการปรับสมดุลของผลข้างเคียงความเชื่อใน effi cacy C. sinensis กับโรคมะเร็งเป็นที่แพร่หลายในประเทศตะวันออก และมะเร็งหลายผู้ป่วยในประเทศญี่ปุ่น เกาหลี และจีนจะมีCordyceps or some other mushroom-derived immunomodulator(such as PSK, PSP, Lentinan, AHCC,heteropolysaccharide complex formula [ImmuneAssist™], and arabinoxylanes [MGN3™]) whileundergoing conventional treatment.5,37,38D. Immunomodulating EffectsThe immune-enhancing effects of C. sinensis havebeen alluded to in the above discussions. It is ofinterest to note that the fungus that produces the immunosuppressivedrug cyclosporin, Tolypocladiuminfl atum, was discovered in 1996 to be the asexualstage of yet another Cordyceps species, C. subsessilus.15 Thus, the same genus of fungus that was usedfor centuries to provide immune stimulation wasnow known to provide an immune suppressant thatis valuable in organ transplantation surgery.Other such experiments demonstrating both inhibitingas well as potentiating effects of Cordycepsare controversial, and the effects observed are possiblythe result of differing experimental conditionsand variables. However, with such evidence of apossibly bi-directional immune-modulating effect,further research is in order.Although the drug cyclosporin has enabledsome advances in medicine by facilitating thetransplant of organs, there has been a drawback toits use. The high toxicity of cyclosporin has causedmany patients to suffer from serious kidney damagerelated to the use of the drug. In 1995, a study wasundertaken in China in which 69 kidney transplantpatients were given either cyclosporin alone or inconjunction with C. sinensis, at 3 grams per day.After 15 days it was clearly evident that the groupreceiving C. sinensis in addition to cyclosporin hada much lower incidence of kidney damage than thegroup receiving only cyclosporin, as measured bythe levels of urinary NAG, serum creatinine, andblood urea nitrate.39E. Kidney AilmentsTraditional views of the Cordyceps species held thatits consumption strengthened the kidneys. Studieshave shown that much of the kidney-enhancingpotential of Cordyceps stems from its ability to increase17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17- ketosteroidlevels in the body.5Chronic renal failure is a serious disease, oneoften affecting the elderly. In a study among 51patients suffering from chronic renal failure, itwas found that the administration of 3–5 gramsper day of C. sinensis signifi cantly improved bothkidney function and overall immune function oftreated patients, compared to the untreated controlgroup.40Patients with chronic renal failure or reducedkidney function often suffer from hypertension,proteinuria, and anemia. In a study with suchpatients, it was found that after one month onC. sinensis, a 15% reduction in blood pressurewas observed. Urinary protein was also reduced.Begell House Inc., http://begellhouse.com Downloaded 2008-8-10 from IP 76.227.123.206 by Dr. john holliday (alohamed)Volume 10, Issue 3, 2008 229MEDICINAL VALUE OF THE GENUS CORDYCEPS (FR.) LINK (ASCOMYCETES). A REVIEWAdditionally, increases in superoxide dismutase(SOD) were seen. The increase in SOD, coupledwith an observed decrease in serum lipoperoxide,suggests an increase in the oxygen-free radicalscavengingcapacity, resulting in reduced oxidativecellular damage.41In another human clinical study, 57 patientswith gentamicin-induced kidney damage were eithertreated with 4.5 grams of Cordyceps per day or byother more conventional methods. After 6 days,the group that received Cordyceps had recovered89% of their normal kidney function, whereas thecontrol group had recovered only 45% of normalkidney function. The time-to-recovery was alsosignifi cantly shorter in the Cordyceps group whencompared to the control group.5F. Hypoglycemic EffectAnother area of particular interest is the effect ofCordyceps spp. on the blood glucose metabolismsystem. Cordyceps sinensis has been tested in animaland human trials to investigate its potential as anagent in blood sugar regulation. In one randomizedtrial, 95% of patients treated with 3 gramsper day of C. sinensis saw improvement in theirblood sugar profi les, whereas the control groupshowed only a 54% improvement with
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
C. Cancer
A possibly valuable therapeutic application of
Cordyceps is its potential as a treatment for cancer,
as well as an adjunct to chemotherapy, radiation,
and other conventional and traditional cancer
treatments.1,2,3,17
1. Animal Studies
The survival time of mice inoculated with murine
B16 melanoma cells and treated with a combination
of water extracts from C. sinensis and the
chemotherapy agent, methotrexate, has been shown
to be signifi cantly longer than the survival time of
either the untreated control group or those treated
with methotrexate alone, indicating that some water
extracts of C. sinensis may be benefi cial in the
prevention of tumor metastasis.28
Antitumor and immunostimulating activities
were observed in the treatment of mice inoculated
with Sarcoma 180 tumor cells, when treated
with an ethanol extract of C. sinensis,29 whereas
a study using murine models verifi ed that oral
administration of a hot water extract of C. sinensis
consequently resulted in the activation of
macrophages, thereby increasing the production
of granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor
([GM-CSF] a naturally occurring substance
that is made by the body in response to infection
or infl ammation) and IL-6, which act on the
systemic immune system.30 In a study of mice
subcutaneously implanted with lymphoma cells,
oral administration of an extract of C. sinensis
led to a decrease in tumor size and a prolonged
survival time.31 Furthermore, mice treated with
cyclophosphamide, which suppresses immune
function, also treated with the same hot water
extract, saw their immune function return to normal,
as measured by the IgM and IgG response
and macrophage activity.31 Further evidence of
the immune-enhancing action of C. sinensis was
provided by another study treating mice inoculated
with Erhlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells with
a warm water extract of Cordyceps. The median
survival time of the treated mice compared to
untreated controls was over 300%, and the lack
of activity of the extract against EAC cells grown
in vitro indicated that the antitumor effect in the
mice may be attributed to a host-mediated immune
response, rather than direct cytotoxicity.32
Oral administration of polysaccharide fractions
CI-P and CI-A, derived from C. sinensis, in doses
of 1–10 mg/kg per day, demonstrated antitumor
activities in mice inoculated with Sarcoma 180.
Similar results were observed with an alkali-soluble
polysaccharide (CI-6P), derived from the species
C. sobolifera, when administered in doses of 10 mg/
kg/day.2 In a related study, β-(1-3)-D-glucan, fraction
CO-1, and the galactosaminoglycan fraction
CO-N, derived from C. ophioglossoides, inhibited
the growth of ascitic Sarcoma 180. Increased immune
function was noted as well, quantifi ed by an
increase in carbon clearance activity.33,34
It is well established that numerous fungalderived
simple- and protein-bound polysaccharides
exert a signifi cant potentiation of immune
function.17 This is thought to be one of the major
mechanisms of antitumor activity in Cordyceps.
Among the multiple polysaccharides produced
by C. sinensis, β-D-glucans are one class of
polymers that have been shown to increase both
innate and cell-mediated immune response. These
polysaccharides increase the production of such
cytokines as TNF-α, interleukins, interferons, NO,
and antibodies by the activated immune cells. This
activation of an immune response may be triggered
by polysaccharide binding to specifi c receptors on
the surface of the immune system cells, such as the
CR3 receptors, and other receptors.35,36 They are also
thought to be involved in cell-to-cell communications,
perhaps acting as messenger molecules.
There is evidence of another mechanism at
play in the antitumor response of Cordyceps, as
well, pertaining to the structure of at least one, and
possibly more, of the altered nucleosides found in
some species of Cordyceps and exemplifi ed by the
compound cordycepin [3′-deoxyadenosine] (see
Fig. 6). These deoxynucleosides interfere with
DNA replication in tumor cells. Such interference
is reduced in normal healthy cells by the operation
of a DNA repair mechanism, which is absent
in tumor cells, and by the fact that tumor cells
generally multiply at a rate well in excess of that
of normal cells.
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228 International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
JOHN HOLLIDAY & MATT CLEAVER
2. Clinical Trials
Clinical studies have been conducted in China
and Japan involving cancer patients,37 yielding
positive results. In one study of 50 patients with
lung cancer who were administered C. sinensis
at 6 grams per day, in conjunction with chemotherapy,
tumors were reduced in size in 46% of the
patients studied. A trial involving cancer patients
with several different types of tumors found that
C. sinensis, taken over a 2-month period at 6 g per
day, improved subjective symptoms in the majority
of patients. White blood cell counts were kept
at 3000 per cubic millimeter or higher, and even
with radiation or chemotherapy, other immunological
parameters showed no signifi cant change,
whereas tumor size was signifi cantly reduced in
approximately half of the patients observed, indicating
an improved tolerance for radiation and/
or chemotherapy.5
A serious side effect to the use of conventional
cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy is the
suppression of the patient’s immune system. The
use of C. sinensis in combination with conventional
chemotherapy appears to have an immunostimulatory
effect, which enhances the effectiveness
of conventional chemotherapy by balancing its
side effects.
The belief in the effi cacy of C. sinensis against
cancer is widespread in the Orient, and many cancer
patients in Japan, Korea, and China are taking
Cordyceps or some other mushroom-derived immunomodulator
(such as PSK, PSP, Lentinan, AHCC,
heteropolysaccharide complex formula [Immune
Assist™], and arabinoxylanes [MGN3™]) while
undergoing conventional treatment.5,37,38
D. Immunomodulating Effects
The immune-enhancing effects of C. sinensis have
been alluded to in the above discussions. It is of
interest to note that the fungus that produces the immunosuppressive
drug cyclosporin, Tolypocladium
infl atum, was discovered in 1996 to be the asexual
stage of yet another Cordyceps species, C. subsessilus.
15 Thus, the same genus of fungus that was used
for centuries to provide immune stimulation was
now known to provide an immune suppressant that
is valuable in organ transplantation surgery.
Other such experiments demonstrating both inhibiting
as well as potentiating effects of Cordyceps
are controversial, and the effects observed are possibly
the result of differing experimental conditions
and variables. However, with such evidence of a
possibly bi-directional immune-modulating effect,
further research is in order.
Although the drug cyclosporin has enabled
some advances in medicine by facilitating the
transplant of organs, there has been a drawback to
its use. The high toxicity of cyclosporin has caused
many patients to suffer from serious kidney damage
related to the use of the drug. In 1995, a study was
undertaken in China in which 69 kidney transplant
patients were given either cyclosporin alone or in
conjunction with C. sinensis, at 3 grams per day.
After 15 days it was clearly evident that the group
receiving C. sinensis in addition to cyclosporin had
a much lower incidence of kidney damage than the
group receiving only cyclosporin, as measured by
the levels of urinary NAG, serum creatinine, and
blood urea nitrate.39
E. Kidney Ailments
Traditional views of the Cordyceps species held that
its consumption strengthened the kidneys. Studies
have shown that much of the kidney-enhancing
potential of Cordyceps stems from its ability to increase
17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17- ketosteroid
levels in the body.5
Chronic renal failure is a serious disease, one
often affecting the elderly. In a study among 51
patients suffering from chronic renal failure, it
was found that the administration of 3–5 grams
per day of C. sinensis signifi cantly improved both
kidney function and overall immune function of
treated patients, compared to the untreated control
group.40
Patients with chronic renal failure or reduced
kidney function often suffer from hypertension,
proteinuria, and anemia. In a study with such
patients, it was found that after one month on
C. sinensis, a 15% reduction in blood pressure
was observed. Urinary protein was also reduced.
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MEDICINAL VALUE OF THE GENUS CORDYCEPS (FR.) LINK (ASCOMYCETES). A REVIEW
Additionally, increases in superoxide dismutase
(SOD) were seen. The increase in SOD, coupled
with an observed decrease in serum lipoperoxide,
suggests an increase in the oxygen-free radicalscavenging
capacity, resulting in reduced oxidative
cellular damage.41
In another human clinical study, 57 patients
with gentamicin-induced kidney damage were either
treated with 4.5 grams of Cordyceps per day or by
other more conventional methods. After 6 days,
the group that received Cordyceps had recovered
89% of their normal kidney function, whereas the
control group had recovered only 45% of normal
kidney function. The time-to-recovery was also
signifi cantly shorter in the Cordyceps group when
compared to the control group.5
F. Hypoglycemic Effect
Another area of particular interest is the effect of
Cordyceps spp. on the blood glucose metabolism
system. Cordyceps sinensis has been tested in animal
and human trials to investigate its potential as an
agent in blood sugar regulation. In one randomized
trial, 95% of patients treated with 3 grams
per day of C. sinensis saw improvement in their
blood sugar profi les, whereas the control group
showed only a 54% improvement with
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