CordyMax Cs-4 improves glucose metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity in normal rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of CordyMax trade mark Cs-4, a mycelial fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis, on improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
An in vivo pharmacology study. Subjects and Study Interventions: Adult Wistar rats, male and female, were given CordyMax 250 or 500 mg/kg per day or placebo for 17 days by gavage.


METHODS
Fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin, glucose-insulin index, and oral glucose tolerance.


RESULTS
Rats fed Cs-4 at either 250 or 500 mg/kg showed significantly reduced fasting blood glucose after the 17-day treatment, by 27% and 24% from baselines respectively (both p < 0.001). Examination of fasting plasma insulin demonstrated a 37% decrease in the high dose treatment groups (p = 0.012). Glucose-insulin index, an index of insulin sensitivity, increased by 10% and 17% in both 250 and 500 mg/kg groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Oral glucose tolerance tests showed significantly improved glucose tolerance at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 hours after oral administration of a bolus of glucose (the area under the glucose curve: p = 0.05-0.006), but no change at 5 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
CordyMax Cs-4 is effective in lowering basal blood glucose and plasma insulin, improving glucose metabolism by enhancing insulin sensitivity, and improving oral glucose tolerance.
Zhao
Chun-Sheng
CS
Pharmanex Beijing Clinical-Pharmacology Research Center, China.
Yin
Wei-Ti
WT
Wang
Jing-Yan
JY
Zhang
Yan
Y
Yu
Hong
H
Cooper
Raymond
R
Smidt
Carsten
C
Zhu
Jia-Shi
JS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; C439563:CordyMax Cs-4; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin