Efficacy and safety of oral Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium in mildly hypertensive adults

Introduction Evidence indicates that, in animal models, Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) mycelium is in vitro hypotensively active. Convincing evidence of the clinically relevant benefits of AC mycelium in humans, however, is unclear. Hence, this pilot randomised clinical trial was conducted to assess the effects of AC mycelium on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with mild hypertension. Methods Forty-one patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 130 and 179 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 85 and 109 mmHg were randomised then treated with either AC mycelium or starch (placebo) for 8 weeks and were followed up for an additional 2 weeks. Results SBP in the patients treated with AC mycelium was significantly lower (144.86 ± 11.34 to 133.10 ± 10.90 mmHg; p < 0.05) than in patients treated with the placebo. DBP was also significantly (p < 0.05) lower (it fell from 96.19 ± 7.42 to 91.38 ± 7.56 mmHg) after 8 weeks of AC mycelium treatment. There were no significant changes in anthropometric, lipid profile, or biochemical parameters between the placebo- and AC mycelium-treated groups, except for reduced plasma renin activity after AC mycelium treatment. Conclusions There were neither adverse events nor abnormal laboratory findings throughout the study period, which suggested that AC mycelium significantly reduced mild hypertension; this might support the hypothesis that it is a safe alternative treatment for mild hypertension. Trial registration Chung Shan Medical University Hospital Internal Review Board approval number: CS11043; ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT02532699.