Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris in the fight against the COVID virus

The COVID-19 pandemic has become the greatest challenge for modern medicine. Despite the emergence of vaccines and a range of drugs, there is still no effective universal treatment against the coronavirus. That is why scientists around the world continue to search for natural compounds capable of blocking the virus while also supporting the body. One of the most promising candidates is cordycepin — a substance produced by the mushroom Cordyceps militaris.

What is cordycepin

Cordycepin is 3'-deoxyadenosine, a natural analog of the nucleoside adenosine. Simply put, it is very similar to a “building block” from which both our RNA and viral RNA are constructed. But its structure lacks one small detail — a hydroxyl group. This particular feature allows it to interfere with the synthesis of viral RNA and stop their replication.

What is RNA and why is it important

Viral RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the molecule that stores the genetic material of the coronavirus. It is necessary for the virus to be able to create its copies.
When SARS-CoV-2 enters a human cell, it uses the cell’s resources to reproduce its own RNA and assemble new viral particles.
This process is driven by a special enzyme — RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). If the activity of this enzyme is blocked, the virus loses the ability to replicate.

👉 You can read more about other bioactive compounds of mushrooms in the article "How much stronger are extracts compared to dried fruiting bodies?"

How cordycepin acts on the body in COVID-19

🔹 Inhibits viral replication. Cordycepin blocks the key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme — RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is responsible for copying the virus’s genetic material.

🔹 Disrupts RNA replication accuracy. The virus incorporates cordycepin into its copies instead of adenosine, but due to this “false insertion,” the RNA chain breaks, resulting in incomplete and nonfunctional viral particles. This sharply reduces the virus’s ability to continue replicating.

🔹 Additional effects important in COVID-19. Thanks to its broad spectrum of action, cordycepin also:

  • reduces inflammation and protects the lungs from damage in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

  • exhibits antioxidant effects, reducing the harm from oxidative stress, which rises sharply in severe cases of COVID-19;

  • acts as an immunomodulatory agent, helping to balance the excessive immune reaction (“cytokine storm”);

  • has antithrombotic properties, lowering the risk of dangerous blood clots in vessels — one of the main causes of COVID-19 complications;

  • supports the functioning of the heart and blood vessels through antiarrhythmic and coronary vasodilator properties;

  • demonstrates nephroprotective action, reducing the risk of kidney damage, which is often seen in severe patients;

  • protects the liver (hepatoprotective effect), which is important when taking antivirals and antibiotics.

👉 Read about the immunomodulatory properties of mushrooms in the article "Liver Regeneration with the Help of Lion’s Mane Mushroom"

Studies on the effect of cordycepin on the COVID virus

🔷 A study published in the journal ACS Omega in 2022 (Amgad M. Rabie, Egypt, Mansoura University) aimed to determine whether cordycepin can effectively suppress the replication of a new coronavirus strain. This is especially important since the virus constantly mutates, and some variants show resistance to existing drugs.

What results were obtained in the study

  • Cordycepin demonstrated 10.5 times higher activity than remdesivir (an officially approved drug against COVID) and 7.8 times stronger than its metabolite GS-441524.

  • Effectiveness: to slow down the virus, cordycepin required 10 times less than remdesivir.

  • Complete blockage of the harmful effects of the virus: cordycepin worked at a very small dose — about 4 times lower than the amount required for remdesivir.

  • Reduction of viral RNA levels: cordycepin in cells was almost 10 times more powerful.

  • Importantly, no cellular toxicity was detected (safe even at 50 times higher doses).

In cell experiments, it was found that to inhibit coronavirus, cordycepin is needed in doses dozens of times smaller than those of pharmaceutical remdesivir. This means it works much more powerfully even in very small amounts.

🔷 Another study, published in the journal Coronaviruses in 2022 (P. Chellapandi and S. Saranya, Industrial Systems Biology Laboratory, India), aimed to assess whether cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris and its analogs could serve as alternatives to well-known antiviral drugs such as remdesivir or ribavirin (antivirals used to treat COVID-19), as well as whether they could activate RNase L and RIG-I (mechanisms of innate immunity).

For this, computer modeling (in silico method) was used to evaluate the binding strength of cordycepin to the key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme, that is, how strongly cordycepin molecules “stick” to the main viral enzyme — RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp).

Binding strength in this context indicates how effectively the molecule blocks the viral enzyme. The higher the score, the stronger and more reliable the binding.

  • Remdesivir (officially approved drug) showed a binding strength of 6308 points.

  • Cordycepin — 5688 points, which is almost on par with remdesivir.

  • One of the synthetic analogs of cordycepin even surpassed remdesivir (6386 points).

These laboratory data indicate that cordycepin has an exceptionally strong antiviral potential and may be just as effective, and in some cases even stronger, than existing antiviral drugs. It was also confirmed that cordycepin activates RIG-I (a receptor that recognizes viral RNA), triggering the production of interferons, and RNase L (an enzyme that breaks down viral RNA into fragments), thereby blocking further replication of SARS-CoV-2.

👉 And also pay attention to the article "Impact of Cordyceps militaris on Immunity"

Prevention is no less important

COVID-19 has shown that the most important thing is to prevent severe progression. This is where prevention becomes crucial: supporting the immune system, fighting inflammation, and protecting cells before massive damage occurs. So far, clinical studies have not yet been conducted, but cordycepin, as a compound with a broad spectrum of action (antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory), may become part of comprehensive approaches to prevention and treatment.

Practical significance for the treatment of COVID-19

Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris is one of the most promising natural substances in the fight against COVID-19. Its action is based not only on its ability to block viral RNA replication but also on supporting the body’s defense mechanisms to minimize related complications — inflammation, thrombosis, liver and kidney damage. Studies have confirmed that cordycepin simultaneously inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and protects vital organs while remaining safe for humans.

Choose natural cordycepin-based products to support your body in our store.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris and COVID-19

1. Can cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris help with COVID-19?

Cordycepin is not an officially approved drug for COVID-19. However, scientific studies show that it can inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system.

2. Which studies confirm the effectiveness of cordycepin against SARS-CoV-2?

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that cordycepin can block the viral RNA polymerase and reduce the risk of lung damage. In addition, it showed promising results compared to well-known antiviral drugs.

3. How does cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris differ from antiviral drugs such as remdesivir?

In some studies, cordycepin demonstrated 10 times higher activity against viral RNA polymerase than remdesivir, while remaining safe for cells even at low doses.

4. What additional effects does cordycepin have in viral infections?

Cordycepin reduces the risk of cytokine storm, protects the lungs from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), decreases inflammation, supports cellular metabolism, and normalizes immune response.

5. Can Cordyceps militaris be taken for COVID-19 prevention?

Extracts of Cordyceps militaris containing cordycepin are often used as an immunomodulatory and general strengthening supplement. They may be useful for prevention, but consultation with a doctor is recommended before use.

For each client individually, we draw up instructions according to his indicators and requests

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