Cordyceps sinensis is often described as a medicinal mushroom, but in reality this is not true. Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that grows on Lepidoptera lava, which are colloquially called caterpillars. Cordyceps sinensis is used in Traditionals Chinese Medicine for a variety of purposes that relate to improving health including increasing sexual function, increasing energy, reducing weakness and improving cognition. The general health effects would suggest that Cordyceps sinensis is beneficial as an anti-ageing tonic and a number of studies have investigated the anti-ageing effects of the fungus. For example, in one study researchers administered Cordyceps sinensis to rats to assess some of the parameters associated with aging. The results of the study showed that Cordyceps sinensis was effective at increasing the activity of a number of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, was able to reduce the amount of lipid peroxidation experienced by the tissues of the rats, and also reduced levels of monoamine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline. Therefore the Cordyceps sinensis appeared to show the effects that would be expected to be seen with an anti-ageing tonic, supporting its use in traditional medicine in this role.
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Ji, D. B., Ye, J., Li, C. L., Wang, Y. H., Zhao, J. and Cai, S. Q. 2009. Antiaging effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives. 23(1): 116-122
