Cordyceps: Ancient Chinese Herb May Be Useful for Cancer Support

Cordyceps sinensis (CS), a traditional Chinese Medicine, is a fungus that has been historically used for over 2,000 years throughout China and Asia as part of treatment for a variety of conditions, including many cancers.  In modern times, the effects of Cordyceps on immune modulation and its use in concert with modern chemotherapy agents, both to enhance therapeutic benefit and to manage side effects, have been widely studied.  Cordycepin, one of the active constituents,  has been shown to possess many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulation, and anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. It may be of benefit to support cancer patients and cancer survivors.

Available evidence suggests that the efficacy of CS as a potential anti-neoplastic/anti cancer therapeutic agent is related to a role as an activator of innate immune responses.

Cordyceps, like many other medicinal mushrooms has been traditionally cooked into soups in Asia for its nutritive and tonic properties. Like other medicinal mushrooms CS is rich in polysaccharides, the primary immune modulators as well as being rich in vitamins and minerals.  It can be thought of as a medicinal food. Cordyceps is best taken as either a water extract (tea or soup) or a high quality powder can be mixed into juice or water, or even into yoghurt or applesauce.

It is important to get high quality, properly prepared and processed Cordyceps product to ensure that you will get the most benefit from this healing mushroom. As with any other product of this nature, seek the guidance of a health care professional.

The constituents in medicinal mushrooms, such as CS, have few drug interactions and can often be used safely along with conventional therapies. Always discuss the use of herbal medicines with your doctor.

What are the potential benefits of Cordyceps sinensis? Studies show the following actions and effects of the water extract of Cordyceps sinensis: (CS):

• The polysaccharides in CS have been shown to have immune stimulating and anti tumor activity.


• CS had been shown to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines.


• CS has also been shown to protect the liver and kidneys from toxic side effects of chemotherapy.


• CS has been shown to potentiate and enhance the activity of some chemotherapy drugs.


• CS has been shown to promote Cell Death (induce apoptosis).   Normal cells will self destruct (undergo apoptosis) when the cell is damaged.  Cancer cells fail to do so.  Agents which cause normal cell death are used widely in chemotherapy today.  CS has been shown to induce apoptosis or normal cell death in cancer cells in many studies and suggests that CS might be a valuable adjunct therapy for cancer patients.


• CS is a potent antioxidant, thus protecting cells from free radical damage. Free radical damage is a process in which free electrons damage our cells and our DNA.  Free radical damage is thought to be a primary factor in the aging process.  Additionally when DNA  (genetic material) in the cells is damaged, risk of cancer increases.  CS has been shown to enhance the production of Glutathione and SOD, protective, natural antioxidants produced in our cells to protect against free radical damage and oxidation.


• CS demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is a factor common to many diseases, including cancer.  Supporting the management of inflammation modulates our immune system. In particular, CS has been shown to suppress the production of COX-2, NFkB and TNFa, inflammatory molecules present in cancer cells and many other disease processes.


• CS has been shown to increase the production of Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cells are primary protective cell in our natural innate immune response is active against both tumor cells and viral cells.


• CS has also been shown to possibly inhibit metastasis and the spread of some cancers. It is metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary original site of the tumor to other parts of the body that causes cancer patients to die. Inhibiting metastasis therefore could prolong life for cancer patients.


• Some studies have shown that CS prevents metastasis by inhibiting angiogenesis, the process by which tumor cells make new blood vessels, allowing tumors to grow in size as well as allowing cancer cells to enter the blood stream and travel to other parts of the body.


• Qualitatively, cancer patients using CS along with their chemotherapy report less fatigue, reduced pain and less weight loss during treatment.


• CS has also demonstrated anti-viral and antibacterial properties.  Cancer patients are often at risk for infection during chemotherapy and after surgery. Researchers hypothesize that CS increases resistance to infections by modulating immune function, increasing white blood cells and Natural Killer cells and by modulating inflammation.


• Additionally, CS has been shown to protect against bone loss and osteoporosis, a risk factor for many patients, especially breast cancer and prostate cancer patients on medications which block hormones.

Dr.Nalini's Blog

The information and statements contained in this article or any added comments herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents of this article or additional comments are for informational purposes only are is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice or treatment, because of information contained in this article.

Primary References (additional references available)

1. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2010 May;59(5):789-97. Epub 2009 Dec 3.
Activation of innate immunity to reduce lung metastases in breast cancer.
Jordan JL, Nowak A, Lee TD. Department of Pathology, Atlantic Centre for Transplantation Research, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. [e-mail]
2. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2008;30(1):53-70.
Immune activation by a sterile aqueous extract of Cordyceps sinensis: mechanism of action. Jordan JL, Sullivan AM, Lee TD.
Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
3. Polysaccharide of Cordyceps sinensis Enhances Cisplatin Cytotoxicity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer H157 Cell Line. Ji NF, Yao LS, Li Y, He W, Yi KS, Huang M.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2011 Mar 7. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 21382957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
RESULTS: Compared with the cells treated with cisplatin alone, cell viability was significantly decreased and the expression levels of VEGF and bFGF protein were significantly reduced in the cells treated with a combination of CS and cisplatin.  CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that the polysaccharide of CS inhibits tumor growth in NSCLC and that CS may be a potential adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in NSCLC therapy.
4. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2005 Aug;42(Pt 1):9-15.
Immunomodulatory and antitumour effects of an exopolysaccharide fraction from cultivated Cordyceps sinensis (Chinese caterpillar fungus) on tumour-bearing mice.Zhang W, Yang J, Chen J, Hou Y, Han X. Immunology and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, People's Republic of China. [e-mail]
5. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2008 Apr;233(4):447-55.
Cordyceps sinensis health supplement enhances recovery from taxol-induced leukopenia. Liu WC, Chuang WL, Tsai ML, Hong JH, McBride WH, Chiang CS.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, 101 Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. In summary, CS enhances recovery of mice from leukopenia caused by Taxol treatment. It appears to do so by protecting both hematopoietic progenitor cells directly and the bone marrow stem cell niche through its effects on osteoblast differentiation.
6. Biofactors. 2007;30(2):105-16.
Water extract of Cordyceps sinensis (WECS) inhibits the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.Mizuha Y, Yamamoto H, Sato T, Tsuji M, Masuda M, Uchida M, Sakai K, Taketani Y, Yasutomo K, Sasaki H, Takeda E. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan.
7. Cordycepin suppresses TNF-alpha-induced invasion, migration and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human bladder cancer cell Eo-Jin Lee^, Wun-Jae Kim^. Sung-Kwon Moon^. Article first published online: 17 JUN 2010
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3132 Phytotherapy Research Volume 24, Issue 12, pages 1755-1761, December 2010

8. RNA-directed agent, cordycepin, induces cell death in multiple myeloma cells BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY Volume 140, Issue 6, March 2008, Pages: 682-391, Lisa S. Chen, Christine M. Stellrecht and Varsha Gandhi Article first published online : 18 JAN 2008, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06955.
9. CORDYCEPIN AND CORDYCEPS SINENSIS REDUCE THE GROWTH OF HUMAN PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA CELLS THROUGH THE Wnt SIGNALLING PATHWAY CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY Volume 34November 2007, Pages: S61-S63, Noriko Yoshikawa, Kazuki Nakamura, Yu Yamaguchi, Satomi Kagota, Kazumasa Shinozuka and Masaru Kunitomo Article first published online : 30 OCT 2007, DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04781.x
10. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Feb 15. [Epub ahead of print] Induction of apoptosis by cordycepin via reactive oxygen species generation in human leukemia cells.Jeong JW, Jin CY, Park C, Hong SH, Kim GY, Jeong YK, Lee JD, Yoo YH, Choi YH. Department of Biochemistry and Research Institute of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University College of Oriental Medicine, Busan 614-052, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
11. Li SP; Li P; Dong TT; Tsim KW Anti-oxidation activity of different types of natural Cordyceps
sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia. Phytomedicine 2001 May;8(3):207-12 (ISSN: 0944-7113) Department of Biology and Biotechnology Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China.
12. Shin KH; Lim SS; Lee SH; Lee YS; Cho SY, Antioxidant and immunostimulating activities of the
fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica, a new type of Cordyceps sp. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001 Apr;928:261-73 (ISSN: 0077-8923) Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Korea. [e-mail].
13. Shin KH, Lim SS, Lee S, Lee YS, Jung SH, Cho SY., Anti-tumor and immuno-stimulating
activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica, a new type of Cordyceps spp.PhytotherRes. 2003 Aug;17(7):830-3. Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University,Seoul, Korea [e-mail]
14. Jordan JL, Sullivan AM, Lee TD. Immune activation by a sterile aqueous extract of Cordyceps
sinensis: mechanism of action. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2008;30(1):53-70.

 

 

 

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Comments

[Mister Wu]

01:57 PM on 06/03/2011

What is not mentioned is that it goes good with duck.

[Michael Dayne]

11:27 AM on 06/02/2011

"The information and statements contained in this article or any added comments herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

Yeah, I'll try this miracle cure right after I'm done eating Lychee fruit to lose weight. Is it just me or is HP starting to look like it is hosting surrepticious advertisers and passing them off as bloggers?

[cable1977]

04:05 PM on 06/02/2011

"starting to"?

Not really....more like "has been for a long time".

[cable1977]

09:07 AM on 06/02/2011

There's a huge difference between being able to impact cancer cells in culture and being able to impact cancer in the human body. Ethanol is quite efficient at killing cancer cells in in vitro culture settings, but does that imply that getting drunk every night is going to cure cancer? No, it doesn't.

One aspect that is also often glossed over when it comes to herbal supplements is pharmacokinetics. Simply because you can achieve a result in a dish at a given concentration doesn't mean that you can achieve that same concentration within the human body, especially given that herbal supplements are not often controlled to give equivalent doses of the active ingredient. Then, when you start putting it into the body you then have to deal with absorption of the active ingredient (aka bioavailability), the clearance of the active ingredient due to metabolic processes, and the interaction of the active ingredient with things like plasma proteins.

Overall, it is bad medicine and even worse science to conclude from in vitro or even in vivo mouse data to conclude that there would be anticipated to have any sort of effect in humans.

[tomteboda]

10:18 AM on 06/02/2011

Agreed. This type of report, while informative and potentially stimulating for cancer researchers, is not particularly useful to the general public, and is in fact potentially dangerous as well as misleading.

[cable1977]

10:39 AM on 06/02/2011

Dangerous especially because of the assumption of both the general public, and apparently some "integrative" practicitioners, that something is better than a pharmaceutical compound because it is "natural" (whatever that means). Natural products contain active chemicals that are just as likely to cause adverse effects as any pharmaceutical compound. The problem with "natural" therapies is that those adverse effects do not have to be studied in order to make a recommendation for use.

I'm in favor of requiring that all treatments require the same levels of scrutiny both for efficacy and safety in order to allow them to be prescribed.

[No death panels]

08:48 AM on 06/02/2011

Until this is studied with or without conventional treatments for cancer in phase 3 clinical trials I wouldn't be promoting it. Better to say it might have potential in the future. There are some herbals that cause chemotherapy to be metabolized too rapidly to be effective, or reduce clearance of chemotherapy and thereby increase toxicity.

[Mister Wu]

01:54 PM on 06/03/2011

It is also good for asthma and other non "C" conditions.

[No death panels]

05:00 PM on 06/03/2011

Maybe it is but without phase 3 data it's anyone's guess.

[Nalini Chilkov]

03:22 AM on 06/02/2011

There is no magic bullet or "cure" for all cancers. There are many cancers. It is important not to get into black and white thinking. Cancer is complex. Modulating immune function as a support to immune surveillance and immune capacity is a piece of meeting the challenge of cancer...not the one big magical answer. This is a very valuable tonic time tested for centuries and with solid modern research. And it has no toxicity. This sort of botanical "tonic" is best thought of as a nutritive, as a concentrated food...not as a drug.

[traceymarie]

11:00 AM on 06/02/2011

Many charletons are killing people by convincing them this and certain "vitamen waters" will cure cancer" My sisiter-in-law is now getting involved in selling this stuff(naive). She and the so-called doctor tried to get me to use the water and herbs instead of an actual doctor for my breast cancer.

[Mister Wu]

10:20 PM on 06/01/2011

Cordyceps is extremely expensive even in China. However they have been able to cultivate the fungus in vitro and the extract has been shown to have the same activities. This is now available in capsules for a fraction of the cost.

[Michael Dayne]

11:29 AM on 06/02/2011

Regardless of the cost, why in the world would anyone believe what this woman has to say when it is obvious she is promoting something here for profit. I'm getting very suspicious lately about some of the posters on HP and whether what we are seeing is really advertising.

[Mister Wu]

01:52 PM on 06/03/2011

She is just reposting what has been know about Cordyceps for years. It is not new, just not well known in the west. Good double blind research, etc. You can go buy your Cordyceps from anybody else you like. Check out your own references or live in ignorance.

[Yaply]

09:21 PM on 06/01/2011

I read that people in the Himalayas were being killed for this medicine. The article said that gangs were controlling the upstream end of the market. It's not just a fungus but a caterpillar fungus. It's popular in China especially with the oldies.

[Mister Wu]

02:11 PM on 06/03/2011

There is big money in wild collected Cordyceps. Michael Palin of Monty Python fame found this in every town while on his BBC Hymalaya tour. Interesting DVD.Of course you can get this in markets from Beijing to Los Angeles.

[OleProfessor]

07:57 PM on 06/01/2011

The FDA is sure to outlaw this then...

[Mister Wu]

02:08 PM on 06/03/2011

GRAS. Generally regarded as safe. Food uses in Asia.

[Michaeloppen]

07:21 PM on 06/01/2011

Hm. Each year dozens, maybe hundreds, of books announce a dramatic cancer cure. So far none have caught on. But yours is the real thing. Right?

[Comicoffee]

06:52 PM on 06/01/2011

When my dog, Sammie, was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma (a very aggressive, nearly always fatal cancer of the lining of blood vessels), she was given a prognosis of 3 months. I put her on an immunity-building mushroom blend that included cordyceps and maitake. She lived for 11 months. I wouldn't be able to prove a direct correlation, but I do think the mushrooms helped.

[anfractuous]

04:49 PM on 06/01/2011

It didn't do much for the caterpillars.

[king soloman]

03:58 PM on 06/01/2011

i bet they will bann this herb before it even gets into testing. anything raining on the parade of pharmecutical companies gets banned so they keep making the bucks!

[mygidget]

11:20 PM on 06/01/2011

Sooo true King soloman:)