How does Antrodia camphorata work for liver protection?

Antrodia camphorata contains bioactive compounds including triterpenoids, antrocamphin, antrodin, and polysaccharides that exert hepatoprotective effects. These compounds work through multiple mechanisms: reducing oxidative stress via antioxidant activity, suppressing inflammatory pathways, inhibiting apoptosis in liver cells, and modulating immune responses. The triterpenoids are particularly notable for their ability to protect hepatocytes from toxin-induced damage. Evidence Level C.

Does Antrodia camphorata interact with liver medications?

Caution is warranted when combining Antrodia camphorata with prescription liver medications. Due to its hepatoprotective and metabolic effects, it may alter how certain liver disease medications are metabolized or potentially enhance their effects. If you have liver disease and are taking prescribed medications, consult your healthcare provider before adding Antrodia camphorata. Close monitoring of liver function tests may be required.

What is the recommended dosage for Antrodia camphorata extract?

The typical adult dosage for Antrodia camphorata extract is 300-900mg daily. This range is based on available product formulations and traditional use patterns. Dosage may vary depending on the specific extract concentration and intended use. Always follow product label instructions and consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized dosing recommendations, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Is Antrodia camphorata safe during pregnancy?

Antrodia camphorata is not considered safe during pregnancy and should be avoided. There is insufficient safety data regarding its use in pregnant women, and the mushroom's potent bioactive compounds may pose risks to fetal development. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use Antrodia camphorata supplements. Consult your healthcare provider for safer alternatives.

What is Antrodia camphorata used for?

Antrodia camphorata is primarily used for liver health, including liver protection, hepatitis support, and as a complementary approach in liver cancer care. It may also support immune function. This rare Taiwanese mushroom grows exclusively on Cinnamomum kanehirae trees and has been used traditionally for liver ailments. Evidence Level C indicates promising but preliminary research; more clinical studies are needed.

Antrodia Camphorata (Antrodia cinnamomea)

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Antrodia camphorata (also known as Antrodia cinnamomea) is a medicinal mushroom endemic to Taiwan used traditionally for liver health and general health promotion [PMID:28768421, PMID:31368557, PMID:40238365].

Background

Antrodia camphorata (A. cinnamomea) is a rare, edible, and medicinal fungus native to the forested regions of Taiwan [PMID:22577975, PMID:31368557, PMID:37049798].

Traditional uses

It has been used by Taiwanese aborigines and in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver diseases, protect against food and drug intoxication, and serve as a health tonic [PMID:22577975, PMID:23563277, PMID:28768421, PMID:40238365].

Active compounds

Bioactive constituents include terpenoids (specifically ergostane-type triterpenoids called antcins and meroterpenoids called antroquinonols), polysaccharides, steroids, benzenoids, ubiquinones, lignans, and maleic and succinic acid derivatives [PMID:22577975, PMID:31368557, PMID:32720965, PMID:40238365]. Specific identified compounds include dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA), dehydrosulphurenic acid (DSA), and ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100) [PMID:36678511, PMID:39591904, PMID:25693659].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms vary by compound: Antrodia cinnamomea dropping pills target PI3K/AKT and cell cycle signaling pathways [PMID:35256953]. Dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA) acts as a dual inhibitor of Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction and GSK3β to activate antioxidant genes [PMID:36678511]. Polysaccharides (ACP) suppress ROS and activate the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory responses [PMID:35352469]. Triterpenoids may attenuate cardiac hypertrophy via the SNW1/RXR/ALDH2 axis [PMID:39591904]. Alcohol extracts (ACE) inhibit adipocyte differentiation by downregulating PPARγ and C/EBPα while activating the AMPK pathway [PMID:40565319].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Exerts anti-hepatoma effects by targeting PI3K/AKT-mediated cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo [PMID:35256953].

Evidence DAlcoholic Liver Disease (ALD)

Dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA) restores mitochondrial dysfunction and generates antioxidant activity in ALD cell models [PMID:36678511].

Evidence DCardiac Hypertrophy

Triterpenoids significantly reduced myocardial hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II and transverse aortic constriction in wild-type mice [PMID:39591904].

Evidence DObesity and NAFLD

Alcohol extract reduced body weight, adipose tissue mass, and liver lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice [PMID:40565319].

Evidence DDiabetes and Hyperlipidemia

Ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100) lowered blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in HFD-fed mice [PMID:25693659].

Evidence DDiabetic Wound Healing

Safety & adverse effects

Some isolated compounds (2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone and β-sitosterol) exhibited significant toxicity to HepG2 cells at specific concentrations [PMID:28768421]. Dehydroeburicoic acid showed minimal toxicity in ALD cell models [PMID:36678511].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell models and in vivo animal studies (Level D), with several comprehensive reviews (Level C). Clinical trials in humans are noted to be rare [PMID:22577975].

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 35256953 (2022) — Antrodia cinnamomea exerts an anti-hepatoma effect by targeting PI3K/AKT-mediated cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. · Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B
2.PMID: 39617723 (2025) — [Not Available]. · Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
3.PMID: 36678511 (2022) — Dehydroeburicoic Acid, a Dual Inhibitor against Oxidative Stress in Alcoholic Liver Disease. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 39591904 (2024) — Antrodia cinnamomea triterpenoids attenuate cardiac hypertrophy via the SNW1/RXR/ALDH2 axis. · Redox biology
5.PMID: 28762089 (2017) — Secondary Metabolites from Higher Fungi.

Antrodia Camphorata

Sources & Citations