Immunomodulatory effects of a mycelium extract of Cordyceps (Paecilomyces hepiali; CBG-CS-2): a randomized and double-blind clinical trial

Authors: Su-Jin Jung, Eun-Soo Jung, Eun-Kyung Choi, Hong-Sig Sin, Ki-Chan Ha, and Soo-Wan Chae

Journal: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 79 healthy Korean adults (39 in the CBG-CS-2 group and 40 in the placebo group)

Intervention:

• CBG-CS-2 capsules (1.68 g/day) for 8 weeks
• Placebo capsules for 8 weeks

Outcome Measures:

• Natural killer (NK) cell activity
• Serum levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12)

Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of a mycelium extract of Cordyceps (CBG-CS-2) in healthy adults. The results showed that CBG-CS-2 supplementation significantly enhanced NK cell cytotoxic activity compared to the placebo group. No significant differences were observed in the serum levels of cytokines between the two groups. The study concluded that CBG-CS-2 is safe and effective in enhancing cell-mediated immunity in healthy adults.