There is observational evidence by these authors that
the alteration of the body’s blood glucose metabolism
in patients consuming Cordyceps often results in the
reduction of oral or injected antidiabetic medications.
It is also posited that the naturally occurring
antiretroviral compounds found in Cordyceps (e.g.,
2′3′-dideoxyadenosine, which is found in C. sinensis
and is marketed as a major anti-HIV drug under the
name Videx and Didanosine, as well as 3′-deoxyadenosine,
which has the same or at least similar
activity) could result in increased effectiveness or
decreased dosage requirements for patients undergoing
concurrent therapy with other antiretroviral
drugs. Caution should be exercised in these patients,
especially considering the newer, more potent hybrid
strains of Cordyceps being developed and the targeted
medicinal compounds being selectively cultivated.
Many antiretroviral drugs currently on the market are
considerably toxic, and it is hoped that the incorporation
of Cordyceps into the treatment regimen of
those patients undergoing such therapy might result
in a reduction of some of these more toxic synthetic
drugs, while sacrifi cing none of their effi cacy. Although
no detrimental drug interactions have yet been
noted in the scientifi c literature, caution is advised,
as both the fi elds of pharmaceutical discovery and
Cordyceps cultivation are rapidly expanding. As with
any substance of considerable bioactivity, some drug
interaction is always a possibility