Cordyceps fungi have a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine, where preparations made from Cordyceps sinensis were prescribed for a range of conditions including respiratory and circulatory complaints. Modern research has begun to investigate these traditional applications at the molecular level, with a growing body of preclinical evidence suggesting that Cordyceps extracts may support cardiovascular function through several distinct mechanisms. This overview summarizes what current research shows, and what remains to be confirmed in well-designed human trials.
What Is Cordyceps and Why Has It Been Studied for Heart Health?
Cordyceps refers to a genus of parasitic fungi. The two species most commonly used in supplements are Cordyceps sinensis (now reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) and the cultivated Cordyceps militaris. Both contain bioactive compounds including cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine), polysaccharides, adenosine, and various sterols. Adenosine in particular has well-established cardiovascular effects in humans, including heart rate modulation and vasodilation. Because Cordyceps contains adenosine and structurally similar compounds, researchers have investigated whether Cordyceps extracts may exert cardiovascular effects through adenosine receptor pathways.
Ischemia-Reperfusion and Cardioprotective Effects: Preclinical Findings
One of the more thoroughly studied cardiovascular applications of Cordyceps in preclinical models involves ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which occurs when blood flow is restored to cardiac tissue after a period of restricted oxygen supply. A study published in Phytotherapy Research used an isolated mouse heart model (Langendorff preparation) to examine the effects of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium extract on post-ischemic cardiac function.[1]
The researchers reported that CS extract treatment was associated with improved recovery of ventricular function and coronary flow following ischemia, along with reductions in markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized glutathione. Importantly, these effects were partially reversed by an adenosine receptor antagonist, suggesting that adenosine receptor activation may be one mechanism through which Cordyceps extracts influence cardiac tissue under stress conditions.[1] These findings come from an isolated organ model, and results in living animal systems or humans may differ.
Cordyceps Polysaccharides and Lipid Metabolism
Elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides are well-recognized cardiovascular risk factors. A 2023 study published in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules investigated CM3-SII, a polysaccharide fraction isolated from Cordyceps militaris, in a hamster model of hyperlipidemia using heterozygous LDL-receptor-deficient animals, which more closely approximate human lipid metabolism than standard mouse models.[2]
The study found that CM3-SII administration was associated with significant reductions in total plasma cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to controls. The proposed mechanisms included downregulation of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1), a key intestinal cholesterol transporter, along with modulation of gut microbiota composition, specifically an increased ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes. The authors note that while these findings are promising, they reflect animal data; controlled clinical trials in humans with hyperlipidemia would be required to determine whether similar effects occur at physiologically relevant doses in people.[2]
Cordycepin and Cardiac Oxidative Stress
Cordycepin, the primary bioactive nucleoside in Cordyceps, has been studied separately for its potential effects on cardiac tissue. A 2025 study in Scientific Reports examined cordycepin in a rat model of acrylamide-induced cardiac toxicity, a chemical exposure model designed to induce oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling in the heart.[3]
Researchers reported that cordycepin treatment was associated with improvements in serum cardiac biomarkers, including cardiac troponin I levels, and appeared to modulate the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and Bax/Bcl-2 apoptotic signaling. The study’s authors suggest that cordycepin may offer cardioprotective properties via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, though they note the findings are limited to a rodent toxicology model and do not reflect naturally occurring cardiovascular disease in humans.[3]
Pulmonary Hypertension: An Emerging Research Area
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, placing strain on the right side of the heart. A 2026 study published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy investigated cordycepin’s effects in a preclinical model of pulmonary hypertension, focusing on cellular senescence and gut microbiota interactions.[4]
The study found that cordycepin may inhibit the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells via the p53-CDK1/pTERT axis, while also modulating gut microbiota in ways that may reduce proinflammatory signaling relevant to vascular pathology. The researchers describe these findings as supportive of cordycepin as a multi-target candidate for pulmonary hypertension research, while noting that clinical translation requires further investigation in humans.[4]
Antiarrhythmic Properties: Early Research
Early research on Cordyceps and cardiac function also examined potential antiarrhythmic properties. A study published in a Chinese pharmacology journal reported that alcohol extracts of Cordyceps sinensis were associated with reduced susceptibility to experimentally induced arrhythmias in rodents and appeared to decrease heart rate in anesthetized animals, with the authors proposing effects related to myocardial contractility.[5] This research predates modern pharmacological standards, and no controlled human studies have replicated these findings. Its relevance to supplementation in healthy adults is unclear.
What This Means for Supplement Users
The existing evidence on Cordyceps and cardiovascular health is predominantly preclinical, meaning it comes from isolated tissue, cell cultures, and animal models. These studies provide mechanistic hypotheses that may support future clinical investigation, but they do not establish that Cordyceps supplements will produce equivalent effects in people with cardiovascular disease or risk factors.
Research suggests several plausible mechanisms of cardiovascular interest, including adenosine receptor modulation, antioxidant activity, polysaccharide-mediated lipid metabolism effects, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the translation of these findings to clinical outcomes in humans is not yet established.
It is also worth noting that because Cordyceps contains adenosine-like compounds, individuals taking medications that interact with adenosine receptors, including certain antiarrhythmic agents or blood pressure medications, may want to consult a healthcare provider before using Cordyceps supplements. For a broader discussion of how functional mushrooms interact with medications, see our guide on Cordyceps and Immune Function.
How Cordyceps Compares to Other Cardiovascular-Studied Mushrooms
Cordyceps is not the only functional mushroom that has attracted cardiovascular research interest. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been studied for effects on blood pressure, lipids, and platelet aggregation. Oyster mushrooms contain lovastatin-related compounds that may influence cholesterol metabolism. Shiitake has been investigated for its AHCC fraction and lipid profiles. Each mushroom carries a distinct compound profile, and no single species has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits sufficient to replace established medical treatments. The cardiovascular research on Cordyceps, while preliminary, positions it alongside these species as a subject of legitimate scientific interest.
Summary
Preclinical research indicates that Cordyceps extracts and isolated compounds, particularly cordycepin and Cordyceps polysaccharides, may influence several parameters relevant to cardiovascular health, including ischemia-reperfusion outcomes, oxidative stress markers, lipid metabolism, and pulmonary vascular function. These findings support continued research but do not constitute clinical evidence for cardiovascular benefits in people. Individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions or who take cardiac medications should discuss supplement use with their healthcare provider before adding Cordyceps to their regimen.
References
- Yan XF, et al. Cardiovascular protection and antioxidant activity of the extracts from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis act partially via adenosine receptors. Phytother Res. 2013;27(11):1597-604. PMID: 23192916
- Yu WQ, et al. CM3-SII polysaccharide obtained from Cordyceps militaris ameliorates hyperlipidemia in heterozygous LDLR-deficient hamsters by modulating gut microbiota and NPC1L1 and PPARα levels. Int J Biol Macromol. 2023;239:124293. PMID: 37011745
- Sedik AA, et al. The impact of Nrf2/HO-1, PD-L1/Bax/Bcl-2 and TNF-α/Il-6 signaling pathways in the ameliorative role of cordycepin against acrylamide-induced cardiac toxicity in rats. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):23599. PMID: 40604049
- Li G, et al. Elucidation of mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of cordycepin on pulmonary hypertension, with a focus on cell senescence and gut microbiota. Biomed Pharmacother. 2026;194:118923. PMID: 41496335
- Mei QB, et al. Antiarrhythmic effects of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1989;14(10):616-8. PMID: 2597326
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Cordyceps supplements are not approved by the FDA to prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have a cardiovascular condition or take prescription medications.
