Therapeutic Potential of Cordycepin - Meta-Analysis | Cordyceps Chronicles Ep1

Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 1 covers the work done in a paper titled "Cordycepin for Health and Wellbeing: A Potent Bioactive Metabolite of an Entomopathogenic Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps with Its Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potential". This paper is a meta-analysis covering several studies looking at the potential therapeutic properties of cordycepin. 

Figure 3 from paper - Pictorial representation of Cordyceps therapeutic potential in general

Cordycepin is nearly identical to adenosine from a chemical perspective, which plays a factor in its therapeutic role. Cordyceps Chronicles episode 2 goes into greater detail on the functionality of cordycepin. The bulk of episode 1 covers the different therapeutic effects of cordycepin as well as the bioactive components found in cordyceps.

Below, we'll discuss the main points of the meta-analysis. The times in parenthesis next to each header correspond to the times where we discuss this section further in the Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 1 video.

Figure - Chemical similarity of adenosine and cordycepin

Cordycepin and Diabetes (2:14)
Diabetes is characterized by chronically high blood sugar levels and the body's inability to produce or effectively use enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. Cordycepin may have the potential to treat diabetes by reducing inflammation and regulating certain genes related to diabetes. Some studies have found that cordycepin may have the ability to lower blood sugar levels, improve the body's ability to use glucose, and protect against kidney damage caused by diabetes.

Cordycepin and Cardiovascular Diseases (2:46)
Hyperlipidemia is an excess of fats or lipids in the blood. Excess fat buildup can lead to blocked blood flow to the heart (which can lead to heart attacks) or to the brain (which can lead to strokes). Both heart attacks and strokes are types of cardiovascular disease. An enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to play a role in controlling fat levels in the body. Cordycepin has been shown to activate AMPK potentially leading to reduced cholesterol and fat levels.

Cordycepin and Anti-Inflammatory Effects (4:11)
Inflammation is the body's response to injury. This aids in the removal of damaged elements and starts the healing process. However, prolonged inflammation can have detrimental effects and contribute to several diseases including respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because of the chemical similarity to adenosine, cordycepin can potentially reduce certain overactive cell signaling pathways that are leading to inflammation within the body.

Cordycepin and Immunomodulatory Effects (5:14)
It has been found that cordycepin has the ability to either upregulate or downregulate certain biological components depending on what the body needs. Cordycepin can either stimulate or downregulate the release of cytokines in the body playing a role in both inflammation and in fighting against diseases. Other bioactive compounds extracted from cordyceps militaris were also show to have potential immune-boosting properties.

Cordycepin and Anti-Osteoporosis Effects (6:07)
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile leading to an increased risk of fractures. This is typically more prevalent in the older population. Cordycepin was found to counteract bone loss by decreasing enzyme activity related to bone breakdown and by increasing biomarkers related to bone formation.

Cordycepin and Anti-Arthritic Effects (7:00)
Cordycepin has been shown to have an effect in reducing levels of certain enzymes and proteins involved in cartilage breakdown. As discussed earlier, cordycepin has several anti-inflammatory properties which also leads to anti-arthritic effects.

Cordycepin and Antioxidant Effects (7:39)
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow down free radical damage to cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons, making them highly reactive. They are produced naturally by the body, but can also be generated by environmental stressors. If not effectively neutralized by the body's antioxidant defenses, free radicals can lead to oxidative stress and cause cellular damage. Cordycepin has been shown to increase levels of antioxidant enzymes potentially protecting cells from oxidative stress damage. The studies reviewed suggest cordycepin has an antioxidant potential similar to that of vitamin C.

Cordycepin and Anti-Malarial Effects (8:30)
This meta-analysis looks at one study that shows cordycepin may impact the malaria parasite's ability to synthesize nucleic acid and proteins. This suggests cordycepin may have possible anti-malaria use cases. 

Cordycepin and Hyperuricemia (9:01)
Hyperuricemia is a condition where there is too much uric acid in the blood due to a disruption in the body's ability to process certain proteins. Cordycepin has been shown to potentially reduce high levels of uric acid back down to a normal range.

Cordycepin and Infertility (9:11)
Cordycepin has been shown to improve the quantity and quality of sperm as well as increase levels of testosterone and estradiol-17. Testosterone and estradiol-17 are two hormones associated with reproductive health.

Cordycepin and Chronic Kidney Disease (9:25)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition where kidney condition slowly worsens over time. Often, CKD is linked to other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Cordycepin has been shown to slow kidney disease progression.

Cordycepin Safety and Efficacy (9:47)
Cordycepin and cordyceps is considered generally safe to consume and non-toxic for humans. Some studies suggest people with systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis should not consume cordycepin. There were also reports that on rare occasions, cordyceps may cause lead poisoning. In these cases, a toxic growth environment of the cordyceps may also play a factor.

Bioactive Components in Cordyceps (10:28)

These three tables display the bioactive components reported to be found in cordyceps from this meta-analysis as well as the biological activity/therapeutic effect these compounds have

Research Takeaways (11:09)
The three takeaways from this research are:
1. Cordycepin is nearly identical to adenosine from a chemical perspective
2. Cordycepin may assist in relieving chronic inflammation
3. Cordycepin may enhance or reduce bodily functions or compounds found in the body depending on what is needed. 

I hope you enjoyed the article. Thank you for reading!

Check out the video we did on this meta-analysis here
Here are the slides associated with this article
Here is the link to the full meta-analysis 

Much Love,

Johnny