What Is Cordyceps? Other Names: Bailing, Caterpillar Fungus, Champignon Chenille

What is Cordyceps?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi known for its unique parasitic relationship with insects and other arthropods. This genus has garnered significant attention due to its extensive use in traditional Chinese medicine and its wide range of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This article delves into the various aspects of Cordyceps, including its biological characteristics, medicinal properties, and commercial significance. Other names include: Bailing, Caterpillar Fungus, Caterpillar Mushroom, Cs-4, Champignon Chenille, Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Chinese Cordyceps Fungus, Cordyceps sinensis, Dong Chong Xia Cao, Dong Chong Zia Cao, Hsia Ts’Ao Tung Ch’Ung, Hirsutella sinensis, Jinshuibao Jiaonang, Jinshuibao Pian, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Tochukaso, Vegetable Caterpillar.

Biological Characteristics

Cordyceps comprises over 400 species, historically classified in the Clavicipitaceae family. These fungi are characterized by their production of well-developed, often stipitate stromata, and their ecology as pathogens of arthropods and Elaphomyces. Recent phylogenetic studies have refined the classification of Cordyceps, leading to the validation of the family Cordycipitaceae and the proposal of new families and genera such as Ophiocordycipitaceae and Elaphocordyceps5.

Medicinal Properties of Cordyceps

Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily for its purported health benefits. The most well-known species, Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris, contain various bioactive components, including nucleosides, sterols, flavonoids, and cyclic peptides. Among these, cordycepin (3-deoxyadenosine) is considered the most vital due to its therapeutic potential1 4.

Therapeutic Potential

Cordyceps exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities. It has been shown to have anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anticancer, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties1 3 9. For instance, cordycepin has been suggested to induce cell death in various cancer cells through molecular pathways involving caspases, MAPKs, and GSK-3β9.

Immune-Stimulatory Effects

Cordyceps species have been linked to cytokine production, phagocytosis stimulation of immune cells, and nitric oxide production, which contribute to their immunostimulatory potential. These effects are mediated through pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway3.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Cordyceps sinensis has been evaluated for its therapeutic effects on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have shown that Cordyceps preparations can significantly decrease serum creatinine, increase creatinine clearance, and reduce proteinuria in CKD patients. However, the quality of evidence is low, and further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions2.

Commercial Significance

The Cordyceps industry is a significant sector in China, with various medicinal and health products developed from natural Cordyceps and its associated fungi. The lack of a defined classification system for medicinal Cordyceps fungi has been a source of confusion, but efforts are being made to clarify and standardize these classifications10.

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Adverse Effects of Cordyceps

Kidney Transplant Recipients

Cordyceps showed no significant difference in patient survival or graft loss compared to azathioprine, but it improved graft function and reduced acute rejection episodes. However, adverse effects such as anemia, leucopenia, and liver function improvement were noted, and the incidence of infection may be reduced1 4.

Compared to standard dose cyclosporin A (CsA), Cordyceps with low dose CsA did not show significant differences in patient survival, graft loss, or allograft function. There was limited evidence suggesting benefits in reducing pulmonary infection, serum albumin, serum uric acid levels, CNI nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity1.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Cordyceps preparations significantly decreased serum creatinine, increased creatinine clearance, and reduced 24-hour proteinuria. However, the studies had a high risk of bias, and definitive conclusions could not be made due to the low quality of evidence2.

Arrhythmia

Cordyceps significantly improved the total efficacy rate in both bradycardia and tachycardia without serious adverse events. The main mechanisms may involve the regulation of adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway3.

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How has Cordyceps Improved Patient Outcomes?

Kidney Transplantation and Chronic Kidney Disease

Cordyceps as an adjunctive treatment in kidney transplant patients has shown to improve kidney function, reduce incidences of hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and liver injury, and lower proteinuria and nephrotoxicity when combined with cyclosporine A1 3.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, Cordyceps militaris improved biochemical indices, lipid profiles, and redox capacity, and reduced inflammation markers through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway5.

Arrhythmia

Cordyceps significantly improved the total efficacy rate in treating both bradycardia and tachycardia, with no serious adverse events reported. The beneficial effects are linked to the regulation of adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway2.

Spinal Cord Injury

Cordyceps militaris, particularly its cordycepin-enriched extract, improved functional recovery by attenuating blood-spinal cord barrier disruption, reducing inflammation, and preventing neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury4.

Hemodialysis

In hemodialysis patients, Cordyceps improved inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein), serum albumin, malondialdehyde, and hemoglobin levels, although no significant improvement was observed in serum creatinine and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol10.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris provided long-term neuroprotection by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and neuroinflammation, preserving blood-brain barrier integrity, and promoting anti-inflammatory microglial/macrophage polarization9.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Long-term use of artificial Cordyceps preparation in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients improved clinical symptoms, biochemical indices, and immunological markers, and reduced infection rates6.

Depression and Insomnia

Cordyceps militaris did not significantly improve sleep symptoms in patients with depression when used as an adjunct to duloxetine, although it was found to be safe with rare side effects7.

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Cordyceps Mechanisms of Action

Anticancer Mechanisms

Cordycepin induces cancer cell death and inhibits cancerous properties through pathways involving caspases, MAPKs, and GSK-3β, mediated by receptors such as ADORAs, DRs, and EGFR1.

Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects

Cordycepin inhibits inflammation by suppressing NF-κB through the inhibition of Akt and p38 pathways in macrophages10.

Cordyceps polysaccharides modulate immune responses via the TLR4/MyD88/p38 signaling pathway in macrophages5.

Metabolic Regulation

Cordycepin activates AMPK by being converted into cordycepin monophosphate, which mimics AMP, leading to beneficial metabolic effects7.

Cordyceps improves glucose and lipid metabolism and reduces inflammation in obesity by modulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism6.

Renal and Hepatic Protection

Cordyceps cicadae polysaccharides protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting apoptosis, EMT, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial ROS via the miR-30a-3p/TRIM16 axis2.

Cordyceps polysaccharides alleviate acute liver failure by regulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors and reducing apoptosis3.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Cordyceps improves arrhythmia by regulating adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway4.

Cordycepin attenuates neointimal formation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by interfering with adenosine receptor-mediated NOS pathways and reducing ROS production9.

Anti-hyperuricemic Effects

Cordycepin reduces serum uric acid levels by downregulating the uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) in the kidney8.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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