Cordyceps Research
38 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Adjuvant treatment with Cordyceps sinensis for lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Wang C et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2024)
Compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with CS of lung cancer not only improve TRR, QOL and immune function, but also reduce the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis.
- Compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with CS of lung cancer not only improve TRR, QOL and immune function, but also reduce the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis.
- The optimal usage may be 6 g/d and 21 days/3 to 4 cycles.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease
Zhang HW et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014)
We found that Cordyceps preparation, as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medicine, showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate CKD-associated complications, such as increased haemoglobin and serum albumin.
- We found that Cordyceps preparation, as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medicine, showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate CKD-associated complications, such as increased haemoglobin and serum albumin.
- However, definitive conclusions could not be made because of the low quality of evidence.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Use of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) versus ACEI/ARB alone in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease: a meta-analysis
Luo Y et al. • Renal failure (2015)
However, with regard to low-quality and significant heterogeneity of included trials, to further verify the current results from this meta-analysis, long-term and well-designed RCTs with high-quality study are warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of O. sinensis.
- However, no effects were found for DBP, FBG, and HbA1C.
- However, with regard to low-quality and significant heterogeneity of included trials, to further verify the current results from this meta-analysis, long-term and well-designed RCTs with high-quality study are warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of O. sinensis.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Fungi-Based Bioproducts: A Review in the Context of One Health
de Sousa TK et al. • Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
In future research, the development of integrated guidelines that simultaneously consider human, animal, and environmental health is recommended.
- A total of 134 articles were selected: 84 bioassay articles (63%), 36 case reports (27%), 10 field studies (7%), and 4 other types of studies (3%).
- Nevertheless, the necessity for standardized safety assessments is emphasized.
- In order to ensure greater effectiveness, it is essential to develop unified protocols and bioassays with specific risk indicators aligned with the One Health approach.
Oral Chinese herbal medicine combined with pharmacotherapy for stable COPD: a systematic review of effect on BODE index and six minute walk test
Chen X et al. • PloS one (2014)
These issues should be addressed in future trials.
- The main meta-analysis results showed relative benefits for BODE Index in nine studies (mean difference [MD] -0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.94, -0.47) and 6MWT/D in 17 studies (MD 54.61 meters, 95%CI 33.30, 75.92) in favour of the CHM plus RP groups.
- Detailed sub-group and sensitivity analyses were conducted.
- Clinically meaningful benefits for BODE Index and 6MWT were found in multiple studies.
Efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis as an adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
Bee Yean O et al. • Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (2019)
Given the small number of trials included, the unclear methodological quality of the included trials, and the high heterogeneity in pooled analyses, the evidence obtained in this review is insufficient to recommend the use of cordyceps as adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients.
- However, there was no significant improvement for serum creatinine and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- Given the small number of trials included, the unclear methodological quality of the included trials, and the high heterogeneity in pooled analyses, the evidence obtained in this review is insufficient to recommend the use of cordyceps as adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Edible and Medicinal Fungi as Candidate Natural Antidepressants: Mechanisms and Nutritional Implications
Gong P et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2025)
Future research should address these gaps, emphasizing personalized interventions and advanced technologies for next-generation antidepressant foods.© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.
- Additionally, it discusses the use of EMFs in functional foods and dietary supplements, innovations like 3D food printing for depression-related issues, and synthetic biology for enhancing compound production.
- Artificial intelligence is used to model complex mechanisms.
- However, challenges remain, such as standardization and lack of clinical validation.
Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for kidney transplant recipients
Hong T et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
Although there were some favourable aspects associated with Cordyceps, longer-term studies are needed to clarify any benefit-harm trade-off.
- Anaemia, leucopenia, and liver function improved, and incidence of infection may also be reduced.Compared with low dose CsA versus standard dose CsA, Cordyceps did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in patient survival, graft loss, acute rejection or allograft function.
- Although there were some favourable aspects associated with Cordyceps, longer-term studies are needed to clarify any benefit-harm trade-off.
- Future studies should investigate the use of Cordyceps in combination with other immunosuppressive agents such as tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil or induction therapy.
A systematic review on polysaccharides from fermented Cordyceps sinensis: Advances in the preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities, structure-activity relationships
Yao L et al. • International journal of biological macromolecules (2024)
All rights reserved.
- Nevertheless, there remain unknown elements that continue to influence SAR, leaving room for further exploration.
- Furthermore, the limitation of existing studies and some new perspectives for future investigations on FCSPs were proposed.Copyright © 2024 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
Therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological mechanism of Bailing capsule on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis and network pharmacology
Ma G et al. • Pharmaceutical biology (2024)
Bailing capsules have shown promising results in the treatment of stable COPD.
- The meta-analysis of 27 RCTs showed significant improvements in the treatment group for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and the 6-min walk test (6MWT).
- Bailing capsules have shown promising results in the treatment of stable COPD.
- Future studies should focus on large-scale, multicenter RCTs to confirm the long-term benefits and safety of Bailing capsules.
Altered Mycobiota Signatures and Enriched Pathogenic Aspergillus rambellii Are Associated With Colorectal Cancer Based on Multicohort Fecal Metagenomic Analyses
Lin Y et al. • Gastroenterology (2022)
This study reveals enteric mycobiota signatures and pathogenic fungi in stages of colorectal tumorigenesis.
- We further identified that combined fungal and bacterial biomarkers were more accurate than panels with pure bacterial species to discriminate patients with CRC from healthy individuals (the area under the curve relative change increased by 1.44%-10.60%).
- This study reveals enteric mycobiota signatures and pathogenic fungi in stages of colorectal tumorigenesis.
- Fecal fungi can be used, in addition to bacteria, for noninvasive diagnosis of patients with CRC.
Medicinal Mushroom Supplements in Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
Narayanan S et al. • Current oncology reports (2023)
More trials are needed to explore mushroom use during and after cancer treatment.
- Systematic review examining Cordyceps efficacy
- Published in Current oncology reports (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Relationship between ncRNAs and gastric cancer: meta-analysis
Sun YJ et al. • Bratislavske lekarske listy (2017)
Medication can reduce the IL-10 level, regulate the equilibrium of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and decrease the level of caspase 1 and IL-18 (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).
- Medication can reduce the IL-10 level, regulate the equilibrium of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and decrease the level of caspase 1 and IL-18 (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).
- Published in Bratislavske lekarske listy (2017)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Effectiveness of Yong Chong Cao Capsule in Patients With Mild to Severe COPD: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Active-Controlled Trial
Li S et al. • Journal of evidence-based medicine (2025)
YChCC represent a promising adjuvant therapy for patients with stable COPD, ranging from mild to severe.
- Compared with BLC, YChCC significantly reduced the number of acute exacerbations (FAS: p = 0.002; PPS: p = 0.003) and prolonged time to first exacerbation.
- YChCC represent a promising adjuvant therapy for patients with stable COPD, ranging from mild to severe.
- They significantly prolong the time to the first acute exacerbation and reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations, thereby offering potential benefits in managing COPD.
Efficacy of Cordyceps cicadae (Ascomycota) Mycelium Supplementation for Amelioration of Dry Eye Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Pilot Study
Chang HH et al. • International journal of medicinal mushrooms (2022)
Therefore, C. cicadae mycelium supplementation may be used for dry eye alleviation as a novel therapeutic intervention.
- Dry eye disease (DED), a multifactorial inflammatory ocular surface disorder, affects up to 50% of individuals over 50 years old worldwide and is one of the most common reasons for seeking ophthalmologic care.
- The results showed a significantly increased TBUT as well as a significant decrease in tear osmolarity, in parallel with the decrease of tear electrolytes, especially Na+ and Cl ions.
- Although significant increase of tear volume was not observed, the increased TBUT suggests mitigation of dry eye through improvement of tear quality.
Effect of a New Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Containing Cordyceps Extract in the Treatment of Melasma: A Clinical Trial
Shen S et al. • Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2025)
Our study demonstrated that both oral TXA combined with hydroquinone cream and oral TXA combined with Cordyceps essence significantly improved melasma in women.
- After 12 weeks of treatment, intra-group comparisons revealed that MASI scores, MI, and EI significantly decreased in both Group A and B compared to baseline (p < 0.05).
- Adverse reactions occurred in 4 people (13.8%) in Group A and 1 person (3.3%) in Group B.
- Our study demonstrated that both oral TXA combined with hydroquinone cream and oral TXA combined with Cordyceps essence significantly improved melasma in women.
A randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of Cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults
Ontawong A et al. • Scientific reports (2024)
This rct examined the effects of Beta-Sitosterol.
- Compared with those in the placebo group, the NK activity in women who received FCM for 8 weeks significantly increased (p = 0.023) from baseline.
- Furthermore, the IL-6 levels decreased from baseline in the female FCM group (p = 0.047).
- The blood sugar, lipid, and safety indices were not different between the experimental groups.
Effect of Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) therapy on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography
Kai Z et al. • Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (2015)
DCXC treatment may protect against CIN in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography, with intensive DCXC therapy being more effective.
- CIN occurred in 11 of 120 patients (9.17 %).
- The prevalence of CIN was lower in the DCXC treatment groups than in the basic treatment group (P < 0.05), with a more significant decrease in the prevalence of CIN in the intensive DCXC therapy group (P < 0.01).
- Compared with the basic treatment group, a lower proportion of patients in the DCXC treatment groups had an eGFR decrease of 25% or greater (P < 0.05); patients with an eGFR decrease of 25% or greater accounted for an even lower proportion in the intensive DCXC therapy group (P < 0.01).
An improved dosage regimen of sertraline hydrochloride in the treatment for premature ejaculation: an 8-week, single-blind, randomized controlled study followed by a 4-week, open-label extension study
Xu G et al. • Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics (2014)
These findings suggest that PE patients not responding to an 8-week treatment with sertraline 50 mg can benefit from an additional 4-week treatment with sertraline 100 mg and that the PEDT may be a valid measure of treatment response in PE patients.
- These findings suggest that PE patients not responding to an 8-week treatment with sertraline 50 mg can benefit from an additional 4-week treatment with sertraline 100 mg and that the PEDT may be a valid measure of treatment response in PE patients.
- Published in Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics (2014)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Cordyceps sinensis accelerates stem cell recruitment to human skeletal muscle after exercise
Dewi L et al. • Food & function (2024)
This effect is associated with earlier stem cell recruitment into the damaged sites for muscle regeneration.
- A placebo (1 g cornstarch) and Cordyceps (1 g Cordyceps sinensis) were administered before exercise (at 120% maximal aerobic power).
- This exercise regimen doubled the VEGF mRNA in the muscle at 3 h post-exercise (P = 0.006).
- A significant necrotic cell infiltration (+284%, P = 0.05) was observed 3 h after HIIE and resolved within 24 h.