Cordyceps and type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus typi II)

Diabetes mellitus, diabetes, is a relatively common disease, especially type 2 diabetes also known as adult onset diabetes. In this case, insulin production is not necessarily reduced, but it occurs when glucose in the blood is not absorbed by the tissues despite the presence of insulin. The sugar does not penetrate the cells, it remains in the blood. Elevated blood sugar levels then have a negative impact on the health of blood vessels, nerves and organs, above all the kidneys - diabetic kidney disease, human. This condition is also associated with obesity, increased blood fat levels, hypertension and arteriosclerosis, or atherosclerosis. Due to the increasing number of patients, it is necessary to look for further treatment options that have the least negative effects. Cordyceps can also help in this regard. This fungus has an irreplaceable place in traditional Chinese medicine, but is also gaining interest in classical medicine. Many previous studies have proven that cordyceps extract has hypoglycemic effects in type I diabetes.

In order to confirm this effect in type II diabetes, researchers conducted a study on mice that were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce hyperglycaemia. They were then given an ethanol extract of fermented mycelium C. sinensis or rosiglitazone, an anti-diabetic drug, for four weeks.

Among the parameters that the researchers observed were, for example, weight, lipid and insulin concentrations, in the blood, an oral glucose tolerance test and an insulin tolerance test.

The results showed that the group of mice that were given C. sinensis extract had an increased HDL/LDL ratio, that is, "polite fats" to "naughty fats", which has a protective effect. They showed a reduction in body weight, which they achieved within eight weeks on a high-fat diet. However, it has not been proven that C. sinensis extract leads to the regulation of hyperglycaemia or increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin. This is counterbalanced by the fact that in vitro tests have shown a protective effect of the extract on pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin, thus helping to maintain insulin production even under conditions that could damage the pancreas. Furthermore, it should be emphasised that C. sinensis extract has nephroprotective effects, i.e. it protects the kidneys, maintains their function and prevents tissue damage, reduces mesangial matrix accumulation and collagen deposit production.

This study, unlike others, which is probably due to the selection of other mice, other C. sinensis extract used, etc., did not prove that the extract had hypoglycaemic effects and increased tissue and insulin sensitivity. On the other hand, its power in protecting the tissues that produce insulin and protecting the kidneys, which are often attacked by diabetes and their damage often leads to kidney failure, has been proven.

Kan WC, Wang HY, Chien CC, Li SL, Chen YC, Chang LH, Cheng CH, Tsai WC, Hwang JC, Su SB, Huang LH, Chuu JJ. Effects of Extract from Solid-State Fermented Cordyceps sinensis on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:743107.