Cordyceps appears to be a safe immunological adjuvant for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 according to an August 2023 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The study's findings provide intriguing insights into the potential of cordyceps to enhance recovery and alleviate symptoms. Further research with larger groups is essential to validate these findings and uncover the full potential of cordyceps in COVID-19 treatment.
The study meticulously analysed biomarkers associated with inflammation, immune response and infection. A total of 58 patients were considered evaluable for the analysis with 30 in the cordyceps group and 28 in the placebo group. Cordyceps capsules, administered at a dose of 500mg three times a day for 15 days along with supportive treatment, showed effectiveness in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. This was evidenced by the proportionately higher number of recoveries on day five, the relatively shorter time for improvement of clinical symptoms, and the proportionately higher number of patients showing negative RT-PCR tests on day 10.
Mild symptomatic COVID-19 infection was defined as patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. The patient had mild symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, malaise and headache, without evidence of breathlessness or hypoxia. Moderately symptomatic COVID-19 infection was defined as pneumonia with no signs of severe disease (patients in respiratory distress). All mild patients received the standard of care treatment that included vitamin C, zinc supplements and antibiotics such as azithromycin or cefixime as per the institutional protocol in both groups. In both groups patients with moderate disease received antiviral treatment such as injections of remdesivir, anti-inflammatory agents such as prednisolone and anti-coagulants such as low molecular weight heparin, vitamin C and trace elements, as per the institutional protocol. Cordyceps was safe and well tolerated by patients, with no drug interruption or dose reduction due to minor adverse events in any of the patients.
References
Dubhashi S, Sinha S, Dwivedi S, Ghanekar J, Kadam S, Samant P, Datta V, Singh S, Chaudry IH, Gurmet P, Kelkar H, Mishra R, Galwankar S, Agrawal A. Early Trends to Show the Efficacy of Cordyceps militaris in Mild to Moderate COVID Inflammation. Cureus. 2023 Aug 18;15(8):e43731. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43731. PMID: 37727187; PMCID: PMC10505833
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