Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry; BBC Health
No, not those mushrooms. The cordyceps mushroom is a rare parasitic mushroom that, perhaps ironically, grows upon caterpillars. The extract cordycepin is demonstrating some interesting results in the treatment of cancer.
The only problem seems to be rapid biodegradability (the substance breaks down quickly in the body) which researchers hope to conquer by combining it with a suitable compound, as is the case with a number of chemotherapeutic agents.
Low doses of cordycepin appear to inhibit uncontrolled cell grown (a hallmark of cancer) while higher doses appear to stop cells from sticking together and forming tumors. Score another one for nature.
~Posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire
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