Clinical Evaluation of Blood Glucose Regulation and Safety of Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium

Chin-Chu Chen^{1, 2,} , Te-Chih Wong^{3, 4}, Chen-Ling Huang⁵, Bo-Yi Jhou⁶, Jui-Hsia Hsu⁶, Shu-Hsing Yeh⁶, Yueh-Ting Tsai⁷ and Shwu-Huey Yang^{3, 8,}

¹Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Nutraceutical Biotechnology, Shin Chien University, Taipei City, Taiwan

²Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan;Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan;Insitute of Biotechnology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua County, Taiwan

³School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

⁴Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Chinese Culture University, Taipei City, Taiwan

⁵Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taiwan

⁶Grape King Bio Ltd, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan

⁷Super Laboratory Co. Ltd., New Taipei City, Taiwan

⁸Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Cite this paper:
Chin-Chu Chen, Te-Chih Wong, Chen-Ling Huang, Bo-Yi Jhou, Jui-Hsia Hsu, Shu-Hsing Yeh, Yueh-Ting Tsai and Shwu-Huey Yang. Clinical Evaluation of Blood Glucose Regulation and Safety of Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2017; 5(2):137-143. doi: 10.12691/jfnr-5-2-10

Abstract

Cordyceps cicadae (C. cicadae) is one of the most valued traditional Chinese medicines and have been used for about 1600 years in China. It is edible and is used traditionally for vision improvement, renal protection, cancer treatment and regulation of blood cholesterol and blood glucose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and to determine the effects of Cordyceps cicadae (C. cicadae) mycelium on hyperglycemic patients or type 2 diabetic patients by a single-blind, randomized, parallel-group, and placebo-controlled trial. In the treatment group, 22 subjects ingested a supplement containing freeze-dried C. cicadae mycelium powder (1050 mg/day) in hard capsule form, every day for 3 months. In the placebo group, 18 subjects ingested placebo capsules. Before supplementation, subjects completed a questionnaire to assess for personal data (age, medical history, medication record, physical activity). Subjects underwent blood pressure reading, anthropometric measurements, biochemical investigations, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and urinalysis at baseline, the end of treatment period, and the end of follow-up period. Based on the results, freeze-dried C. cicadae mycelium powder could maintain blood glucose level in hyperglycemic patient or type 2 diabetic patients. Besides, no toxicity observed in kidney and liver. Results from the study do not raise concern with respect to possible use as a functional food ingredient. This study provides support for the use of C. cicadae fermentation product as a safe agent in functional food.

Keywords:
Cordyceps cicadae blood glucose regulation clinical trial safety assessment dietary supplement

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