Benefits
NASH 6-month RCT
The first clinical investigation of A. cinnamomea's hepatoprotective effect in NASH was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial dosing 420 mg ACM/day vs placebo, with no adverse events reported. This is foundational human evidence for the NASH indication; the small sample limits definitive conclusions but the methodology was sound.
Subhealth ALT 12-week RCT
A double-blind placebo-controlled study in subhealth adults with mildly elevated ALT (31–50 U/L, AST ≤50 U/L) dosed 250 mg ACME/day, with no treatment-related adverse events. This supports subhealth liver-function use in a relevant population with mildly elevated ALT but not yet clinical liver disease.
Antroquinonol Nrf-2 hepatoprotection
Antroquinonol protects hepatic cells from ethanol-induced oxidative stress through Nrf-2 activation (HepG2 cells and mice), supporting the alcohol-induced liver-protection use case.
Antrodan glycoprotein hepatoprotection
Antrodan, a protein-bound polysaccharide from the mycelia, exhibits anti-inflammatory bioactivity, a distinguishing glycoprotein mechanism among medicinal-mushroom hepatoprotective compounds.
Hepatoprotective review
A comprehensive hepatoprotective review confirms this is the strongest-evidenced indication for A. cinnamomea among its many proposed activities, with the honest framing that human and clinical trials are still limited and further studies are required for product development.
Alcohol-induced liver injury
An alcohol-induced liver injury mouse model showed oxidative stress signaling modulation, providing preclinical evidence supporting the alcohol-protection use case.
Honest framing — limited human RCTs and FDA non-approval
Critical limitation: human clinical trials remain limited overall (only 2 published RCTs). FDA has not approved any A. cinnamomea products for clinical applications — supplement-only context. Position as emerging evidence base requiring more rigorous trials.
Mechanism of action
Antroquinonol Nrf-2 antioxidant pathway
Antroquinonol activates Nrf-2 — the master regulator of antioxidant response. Hepatocyte protection from ethanol-induced oxidative stress. Mechanism shared with several pharmaceutical hepatoprotective compounds.
Antrodan protein-bound polysaccharide anti-inflammatory
Antrodan is a glycoprotein with anti-inflammatory bioactivity. Distinguishing among medicinal mushroom hepatoprotective compounds; combines polysaccharide and protein components in a single biologically active complex.
Hepatic tumor growth inhibition
Preclinical evidence for hepatic tumor growth inhibition and hepatitis progression retardation. Has not translated to dedicated human cancer trials.
Anti-hyperlipidemia + anti-hypertension
Preclinical activities supporting lipid and blood pressure modulation. Cardiovascular adjunct mechanisms beyond the primary hepatoprotective focus.
Multi-component oxidative stress modulation
The combined antroquinonol + antrodan + triterpenoid + polysaccharide profile provides multi-pathway oxidative stress modulation — broader than single-mechanism antioxidants.
Immunomodulation activity
Multi-pathway immunomodulation — preclinical mechanism complementing the hepatoprotective focus.
Clinical trials
Clinical evidence on Antrodia cinnamomea (Niu-Chang-Chih / Stout Camphor Fungus) for the indications and outcomes described.
Clinical population described in trial publication.
Chiou YL et al. 2020. 28 NASH patients randomized double-blind placebo-controlled to 3 capsules/day (420 mg ACM) or 420 mg starch placebo × 6 months. No adverse events. First clinical investigation of A. cinnamomea hepatoprotective effect in NASH.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in 44 subhealth Japanese adults (ALT 31-50 U/L, AST ≤50 U/L).
Clinical population described in trial publication.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in 44 subhealth Japanese adults (ALT 31-50 U/L, AST ≤50 U/L). 250 mg ACME × 12 weeks. No treatment-related adverse events. Subhealth liver function support evidence.
Clinical evidence on Antrodia cinnamomea (Niu-Chang-Chih / Stout Camphor Fungus) for the indications and outcomes described.
Clinical population described in trial publication.
Yue PY et al. 2013 (doi:10.1186/1749-8546-8-21). Comprehensive review confirming hepatic protection has the strongest evidence among A. cinnamomea's many proposed activities. Honest framing: human and clinical trials still limited; further studies required for AC product development.