Safety and DNA Impact of Cordyceps Extract in Lab Mice

Greg Howard
28th July, 2024

Safety and DNA Impact of Cordyceps Extract in Lab Mice

Image Source: Evgeniya Litovchenko (photographer)

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Cotton University studied the safety of Cordyceps militaris extract in Swiss albino mice
  • High doses of the extract (up to 2000 mg/kg) showed no signs of toxicity or mortality in mice
  • Sub-acute toxicity tests revealed minor changes in blood and kidney function but no significant organ damage
Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal fungus, has been recognized for its diverse pharmacological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Despite its extensive use, the safety and toxicity profiles of C. militaris have not been thoroughly explored. A recent study conducted by researchers at Cotton University aimed to fill this gap by investigating the acute, sub-acute toxicity, and genotoxicity profiles of C. militaris methanolic extract in Swiss albino mice[1]. The study's objective was to establish a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks associated with C. militaris, especially given its increasing popularity in traditional and modern medicine. Prior research has mainly focused on its biological activities rather than its toxicity. This study marks the first extensive exploration of the toxicological and safety profiles of C. militaris. In the acute oral toxicity study, mice were administered C. militaris extract at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) over 14 days. For the sub-acute toxicity study, three groups of mice received 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg B.W. of the extract for 28 consecutive days, with a control group for comparison. The researchers monitored body weight, behavioral changes, and conducted various hematological, serum biochemical, histopathological, histomorphometric, seminal, and mutagenic investigations post-treatment. The results from the acute toxicity study at 2000 mg/kg revealed no signs of toxicity, with an LD50 value exceeding 2000 mg/kg. There were no occurrences of mortality, and no significant changes were observed in body weight, organ weight, or behavior. This indicates that C. militaris has a high safety margin when administered orally at these doses. Hematological analysis from the sub-acute toxicity study showed a significant increase in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), platelets (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT). Minor variations were noted in the differential leucocyte count after 28 days of treatment. Liver enzyme tests indicated a slight elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), while renal enzyme tests showed changes in creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Despite these changes, the genotoxicity profile and histopathological assessments of the liver, spleen, testis, and ovary did not reveal any significant irregularities, except for mild renal toxicity. Seminal parameters, including sperm concentration, motility, and testosterone levels, demonstrated a notable increase. These findings align with previous studies that have explored the safety profiles of other natural compounds. For instance, a study on Erodium guttatum extracts showed no significant changes in body or organ weights, and only slight histopathological changes in the liver[2]. Similarly, the safety profile of cordycepin, another compound derived from Cordyceps militaris, was confirmed through in vitro and in vivo tests, showing no mutagenic or toxic effects[3]. The current study builds on these findings by providing a detailed toxicological profile of C. militaris. The absence of significant toxicity at high doses suggests that C. militaris is relatively safe for consumption. However, the slight renal toxicity observed warrants further investigation to optimize dosage and minimize potential adverse effects. In conclusion, this study from Cotton University establishes a foundational understanding of the safety and potential risks associated with C. militaris-based medicinal products. The comprehensive data gathered provide a basis for further research and refinement of dosage recommendations, ensuring the safe use of C. militaris in traditional and modern medical applications.

MedicineAnimal ScienceMycology

References

Main Study

1) Genotoxicity, acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles of methanolic Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. extract in Swiss Albino Mice.

Published 25th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118603

Related Studies

2) Acute and Subacute Toxicity Studies of Erodium guttatum Extracts by Oral Administration in Rodents.

https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14110735

3) Toxicity evaluation of cordycepin and its delivery system for sustained in vitro anti-lung cancer activity.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-015-0851-1


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