Cordyceps have been extensively studied for their potential anti-cancer properties. The bioactive compounds found in these fungi, especially cordycepin and polysaccharides, have demonstrated significant effects in inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, and modulating various signaling pathways associated with cancer progression.
Research and scientific evidence:
1. Inducing Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
One of the primary ways cordycepin exerts its anti-cancer effects is by promoting apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. This process is crucial in removing unhealthy or abnormal cells from the body. Research has shown that cordycepin effectively triggers apoptosis in various cancer types, including pancreatic cancer and leukemia, by activating caspase pathways. It also enhances the release of pro-apoptotic factors like cytochrome c, which helps ensure that cancer cells are systematically destroyed (Li et al., 2020; Liao et al., 2015).
2. Inhibiting Cancer Cell Proliferation
Cordycepin has also demonstrated the ability to slow down or inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, particularly in melanoma and bladder cancer. It achieves this by modulating cell cycle regulators and important proteins like cyclin D1, which play a role in cell growth and division. By inhibiting these pathways, cordycepin can effectively prevent cancer cells from multiplying, which is essential in controlling cancer’s spread and progression (Yoshikawa et al., 2008).
3. Reducing Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion
For many cancers, the ability to invade other tissues and spread throughout the body marks an advanced stage of the disease. Cordycepin has been found to reduce cancer cell migration and invasion, especially in prostate and bladder cancer cells. It achieves this by inhibiting enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), which break down the extracellular matrix and allow cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues. Additionally, cordycepin downregulates proteins in the Akt pathway, which further reduces cancer’s ability to spread (Jeong et al., 2012).
4. Enhancing Sensitivity to Chemotherapy
One of the challenges in cancer treatment is overcoming drug resistance, which often limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Cordycepin has shown potential in increasing chemosensitivity in cancer cells, helping them respond better to standard treatments. In studies involving glioma and breast cancer cells, cordycepin was found to downregulate resistance-related proteins like MGMT, making cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapeutic agents. This effect suggests that cordycepin could serve as a valuable adjunct to traditional cancer therapies, potentially improving treatment outcomes (Bi et al., 2018).
5. Blocking Key Growth Signaling Pathways
Tumor growth relies on various signaling pathways and growth factors that encourage rapid cell division and expansion. Cordycepin has been observed to inhibit these pathways by interfering with growth factor receptors, such as EGFR and IL-17RA, which play a role in cancer cell growth and metastasis. By disrupting these pathways, cordycepin helps slow down tumor growth and prevents further spread, particularly in oral and lung cancers (Hsu et al., 2017).
Cordyceps and its active compound cordycepin present multifaceted anti-cancer effects, including apoptosis induction, growth inhibition, and reduction of drug resistance, marking it as a promising natural candidate for cancer prevention and treatment.
References:
Li, X., Tao, H., Jin, C., Du, Z., Liao, W., Tang, Q., & Ding, K. (2020). Cordycepin inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo via targeting FGFR2 and blocking ERK signaling. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 18(5), 345-355. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(20)30041-8
Liao, Y. Y., Ling, J., Zhang, G., Liu, F., Tao, S., Han, Z., Chen, S., Chen, Z., & Le, H. (2015). Cordycepin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inducing DNA damage and up-regulation of p53 in Leukemia cells. Cell Cycle, 14(7), 761-771. https://doi.org/10.1080/15384101.2014.1000097
Yoshikawa, N., Yamada, S., Takeuchi, C., Kagota, S., Shinozuka, K., Kunitomo, M., & Nakamura, K. (2008). Cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) inhibits the growth of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells through the stimulation of adenosine A3 receptor followed by glycogen synthase kinase-3β activation and cyclin D1 suppression. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 377(5), 591-595. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18084742/
Jeong, J.-W., Jin, C., Park, C., Han, M., Kim, G.-Y., Moon, S., Kim, C. G., Jeong, Y., Kim, W.-J., Lee, J.-D., & Choi, Y.-H. (2012). Inhibition of migration and invasion of LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cells by cordycepin through inactivation of Akt. International Journal of Oncology, 40(5), 1697-1704. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2012.1332
Bi, Y., Li, H., Yi, D., Bai, Y., Zhong, S., Liu, Q., Chen, Y., & Zhao, G. (2018). β-catenin contributes to cordycepin-induced MGMT inhibition and reduction of temozolomide resistance in glioma cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species. Cancer Letters, 435, 66-79. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30081068/
Hsu, P.-Y., Lin, Y. H., Yeh, E., Lo, H., Hsu, T., & Su, C. (2017). Cordycepin and a preparation from Cordyceps militaris inhibit malignant transformation and proliferation by decreasing EGFR and IL-17RA signaling in a murine oral cancer model. Oncotarget, 8(54), 93712-93728. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.21477