Researchers from South Korea investigated the efficacy of a Cordyceps mycelium (Paecilomyces hepiali) culture extract (CBG-CS-2) in enhancing the immune system and evaluated its safety in healthy adults. The results of their study were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Cordyceps is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is known for its various biological activities, which include immune-enhancing effects.
For their study, the researchers prepared CBG-CS-2 to confirm its effects on the immune system. They recruited 79 adults and divided them into two groups: 39 adults comprised the intervention group, while 40 adults comprised the control group.
The intervention group received 1.68 grams per day of CBG-CS-2 in capsule form for eight weeks.
The researchers assessed the activities of natural killer (NK) cells and the serum levels of monocyte-derived mediators before the treatment and after eight weeks.
They reported that, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant enhancement of NK cell cytotoxic activity after eight weeks of treatment. This confirmed the positive effects of CBG-CS-2 supplementation on immune function.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the immune system functions well with CBG-CS-2 supplementation and that the cordyceps extract is a safe and effective way of enhancing cell-mediated immunity in healthy adults.
Jung SJ, Jung ES, Choi EK, Sin HS, Ha KC, Chae SW. IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF A MYCELIUM EXTRACT OF CORDYCEPS (PAECILOMYCES HEPIALI; CBG-CS-2): A RANDOMIZED AND DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 29 March 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2483-y