Description
Cordyceps sinensis is an entomopathogenic and endoparasitic fungus that lives on the Tibetan Plateau, in China, Bhutan, Nepal and north-eastern regions of India, at altitudes of 3,000-5,000 m. It is highly valued and has been used in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine for centuries. Legend and mysticism surround this fungus, due to its distinctive life cycle and the area from which it originates.

CordycepsPrime™, produced using biotechnology
CordycepsPrime™, an extract from mycelia (vegetative part of a fungus) of Cordyceps sinensis, is obtained through a patented cultivation and fermentation process. The strain of Cordyceps used to obtain this extract (CS-4 strain) has been the subject of various research studies supporting its effectiveness (1).

Composition
CordycepsPrime™ contains minerals, vitamins (A, C, beta-carotene), amino acids, ergosterol, polysaccharides, nucleosides (adenosine and cordycepin) and D-mannitol (cordycepic acid).

Our extract
Extract name: Dry extract of mycelia of cordyceps (CordycepsPrime™) standardised to contain 0.28% adenosine and 8% cordycepic acid (D-mannitol).
Scientific name: Cordyceps sinensis (B.) Saccardo
Part used: Mycelium

Benefits
CordycepsPrime™ improves sexual function as well as boosting energy, stamina and vitality. It also improves respiratory and cardiovascular function and has antioxidant properties that contribute to its anti-aging effect.

Usage, dosage
One dose of our product (1500 mg per day) provides 120 mg of cordycepic acid (D-mannitol) and 4.2 mg of adenosine.

Studies/research
In traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis has been used to treat male impotence and sexual dysfunction (2). It has also been used to improve physical performance. It has immunostimulant properties and has been used to treat respiratory, kidney, liver and cardiovascular disorders (1).

Numerous research has linked an improvement in sperm quality, sexual desire and libido to taking C. sinensis extracts. The improvement in sperm quality may be due to its richness in vitamins, zinc and amino acids (3).
Several studies have also established its anti-stress and anti-fatigue effect (4) associated with an increase in ATP levels, the molecular energy of cells, and improved efficiency in oxygen use (2).

Cordycepic acid has diuretic, antitussive and antioxidant properties (5), while nucleosides are involved in regulating and modulating various physiological processes in the central nervous system (5-6). The nucleoside cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine) has anti-inflammatory properties (1,5) and effects that reduce the concentration of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides in the blood (7).

Finally, it has been demonstrated that the medicinal properties of mycelia cultivated from Cordyceps are as effective as those from specimens of Cordyceps found in the wild (8). The effectiveness of fermented mycelium extract is supported by numerous studies that have identified, among other effects, an improvement in respiratory function compared to the placebo, in cardiovascular and kidney function (2), a significant increase in testosterone and estradiol levels in men and women with low libido, and a hypolipidemic effect that reduces total cholesterol level (8).

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Illana-Esteban C(2007) Cordyceps sinensis, un hongo usado en la medicina tradicional China [a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine]. Revista Iberoamericana de Micología 24 [Ibero american Journal of Mycology]: 259-262.
2. Zhu JS, Halpern GM, Jones K (1998) The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis Part I. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 4(3): 289-303.
3. Shashidhar MG, Giridhar P, Udaya Sankarb K, Manohar B (2013) Bioactive principles from Cordyceps sinensis: A potent food supplement – A review. Journal of Functional Foods 5: 1013-1030.
4. KohJH, Kim KM, Kim JM,Song JC, SuhHJ (2003) Antifatigue and antistress effect of the hot-water fraction from mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 26: 691-694.
5. Li SP, Yang FQ, Tsim KWK (2006) Quality control of Cordyceps sinensis, a valued traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 41: 1571–1584.
6. Chen PX, Wang S, Nie S, Marcone M (2013) Properties of Cordyceps Sinensis: A review. Journal of Functional Foods 5: 550-569.
7. Guo P, Kai Q, Gao J, LianZQ, Wu CM, Wu CA, Zhu HB (2010) Cordycepin prevents hyperlipidemia in hamsters fed a high-fat diet via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 113: 395-403.
8. Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Hot-Water Extract from Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Koh et al. (2003) Biol Pharm Bull 26(1) 84-87.