Benefits
Liver fat and liver inflammation test scores
In 28 adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver with inflammation), three capsules a day containing 420 mg of Antrodia mycelium for 6 months lowered the SteatoTest score from 0.66 to 0.49 and the ActiTest score from 0.46 to 0.30. The abstract reports these as changes within the treated group, not as differences from placebo. A single small trial; two authors work at Grape King Bio.
Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) in adults with mildly raised ALT
In a small trial of 44 Japanese adults with ALT of 31 to 50 U/L, 250 mg a day of mycelia extract for 12 weeks did not change ALT or AST, the primary outcomes, within or between groups. An exploratory subgroup of people who drank alcohol more than twice a week had lower ALT than placebo. All three authors work at Greenyn Biotechnology.
TNF-α inflammatory marker in a 6-month trial
In the same 28-person trial, TNF-α, an inflammatory blood marker, was lower in the mycelium group at 3 and 6 months. As with the liver scores, the abstract reports this as a change within the treated group rather than a difference from placebo, so it is a small trial result that still needs confirmation.
Antroquinonol and liver cells (laboratory and mouse study)
Antroquinonol, a compound from the mycelium, protected cultured human liver cells from alcohol-induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf-2, and an ethanol extract of the mycelium did the same in mice given alcohol. This is preclinical work and does not show a liver benefit in people.
Antrodan and liver injury in rats
Antrodan, a protein-bound polysaccharide from the mycelium, reduced inflammatory signalling in laboratory tests and limited liver damage in rats given a bacterial toxin. These are preclinical results; antrodan has not been tested on its own in people.
Mechanism of action
Antroquinonol and the Nrf-2 antioxidant pathway
In cultured liver cells, antroquinonol raised Nrf-2 activity and the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 and limited alcohol-induced oxidative damage; a mycelium extract had the same effect in mice.
Antrodan, a protein-bound polysaccharide
Antrodan showed anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies and lowered liver enzymes, IL-6, NF-κB and oxidative stress markers in rats given a bacterial toxin.
Other preclinical activities
A 2013 review of cell and animal studies lists blood pressure, blood lipid, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour and immune-modulating activity, and notes that human trials are still limited.
Clinical trials
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: three capsules a day containing 420 mg of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium or 420 mg of starch placebo for 6 months. (Chiou et al. 2021, J Am Coll Nutr)
28 adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in Taiwan.
The mycelium group showed lower TNF-α at 3 and 6 months, the SteatoTest score fell from 0.66 to 0.49 and the ActiTest score from 0.46 to 0.30 (p < 0.029). These are reported as changes within the treated group, not as differences from placebo. No participant had an adverse event. Two of the seven authors work at Grape King Bio.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: one capsule of 250 mg mycelia extract or placebo daily for 12 weeks; ALT and AST were the primary outcomes. (Ho et al. 2023, J Diet Suppl)
44 Japanese adults with ALT of 31 to 50 U/L and AST of 50 U/L or lower.
In the per-protocol analysis there were no significant changes in ALT or AST within or between groups, so the primary outcomes were null. An exploratory subgroup of regular drinkers (alcohol more than twice a week) had lower ALT than placebo. No treatment-related adverse effects. All three authors work at Greenyn Biotechnology.