J Clin Nutr.  2015 Dec;7(3):81-86. 10.15747/jcn.2015.7.3.81.

The Efficacy and Safety of Cordyceps militaris in Korean Adults Who Have Mild Liver Dysfunction

• Heo JY
• Baik HW
• Kim HJ
• Lee JM
• Kim HW
• Choi YS
• Won JH
• Kim HM
• Park WI
• Kim CY

• KMID: 2135217
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15747/jcn.2015.7.3.81

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of Cordyceps militaris in Korean adults with mild liver dysfunction. C. militaris is a mushroom traditionally used for several clinical purposes in East Asian territory, including China, and has been found to be effective in improving liver function through animal studies.
METHODS
The C. militaris group was administered 1.5 g/day of C. militaris (2 capsules per dose, twice per day) and the placebo group was administered the same volume of placebo. Laboratory test (white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine), liver computed tomography (CT) were performed, and visual analogue scale score for subjective symptoms and fatigue severity scale were measured.
RESULTS
In analysis of the liver CT scan at 8 weeks after administration compared to baseline, the mean ratio of change of Hounsfield unit of 8 segments of liver increased by an average of 21.43%+/-45.11% in the C. militaris group and 9.64%+/-11.41% in the placebo group. Others showed no statistically significant inter-group difference.
CONCLUSION
C. militaris extract was used safely as a functional food in patients with mild liver dysfunction, and is expected to protect against progression of fatty liver or cirrhosis caused by suppression of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.

Keyword

Cordyceps; Cordycepin; Liver

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Agaricales
Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Animals
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Blood Cells
Blood Platelets
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Capsules
China
Cordyceps*
Fatigue
Fatty Liver
Fibrosis
Functional Food
Hepatocytes
Humans
Liver Diseases*
Liver*
Oxidoreductases
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Capsules
Oxidoreductases