Benefits
NASH 6-month RCT
Chiou YL et al. 2020 — first clinical investigation of A. cinnamomea hepatoprotective effect in NASH. 28 patients randomized double-blind placebo-controlled to 3 capsules/day (420 mg ACM) or 420 mg starch placebo × 6 months. No adverse events reported. Foundational human evidence for the NASH indication; small sample limits definitive conclusions but the methodology was sound.
Subhealth ALT 12-week RCT
— 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 — relevant population with mildly elevated ALT but not yet clinical liver disease.
Antroquinonol Nrf-2 hepatoprotection
Kumar KJ et al. 2011 (, J Ethnopharmacol 136:168-177, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.030). Antroquinonol from EMAC protects hepatic cells from ethanol-induced oxidative stress through Nrf-2 activation (HepG2 + ICR mice). Mechanism evidence supporting alcohol-induced liver protection.
Antrodan glycoprotein hepatoprotection
Ker YB et al. 2014 (, PLoS ONE 9:e93191, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093191). Antrodan protein-bound polysaccharide from mycelia exhibits anti-inflammatory bioactivity. Distinguishing glycoprotein mechanism among medicinal mushroom hepatoprotective compounds.
Hepatoprotective review
Yue PY et al. 2013 (, doi:10.1186/1749-8546-8-21). Comprehensive hepatoprotective review confirming this is the strongest-evidenced indication for A. cinnamomea among its many proposed activities. Notable honest framing: 'human and clinical trials are still limited; further studies are required for AC product development.'
Alcohol-induced liver injury
Liu Y et al. 2017 (, doi:10.1155/2017/7841823) — alcohol-induced liver injury mouse model. Oxidative stress signaling modulation. 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.