Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Natural and FermentedCordyceps sinensisin Rats with Diabetes Induced by Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin

Abstract

Our previous study demonstrated that the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuated diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia in rats. In the present study, we further compared the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis with that of the fruiting bodies. Male Wistar rats orally administered a placebo (STZ group), fruiting bodies (FB group, 1 g/day), fermented mycelia (MCS group, 1 g/day), fermented broth (BCS group, 1 g/day), or fermented mycelia plus broth (XCS group, 0.5 g/day of each) of Cordyceps sinensis (d1 to d28) were injected with nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) on d15. Rats fed with a placebo and injected with saline served as the control (CON) group. The amount of water and food consumption (d15 to d29), the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose concentrations (d21 and d28), and the serum concentrations of fructosamine (d29) were significantly lower in the FB, MCS, BCS, and XCS groups than in the STZ group (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations as measured by the oral glucose tolerance test than the control rats; moreover, these changes were significantly reduced by ingesting the fruiting bodies, fermented mycelia and/or broth of Cordyceps sinensis. Our results revealed that the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis have anti-hyperglycemic activities similar to those of the fruiting bodies. Therefore, the fermented products of Cordyceps sinensis could be developed as potential anti-diabetic agents or functional foods for persons with a high risk of diabetes mellitus.

Fermentation products of <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> enhance performance and modulate immune response of weaned piglets

“…A biochemical analysis of the piglet sera demonstrated that CMF extract was not harmful to the animals. The low blood glucose and triglycerides levels observed in piglets receiving the feed supplemented with the highest dose of CMF suggest that CMF might be beneficial to humans that suffer from hyperglycaemia or hypertriglycemia, as suggested by other studies (Lo et al, 2006).…”

Cordyceps sinensis Extracts Attenuate Aortic Transplant Arteriosclerosis in Rats

“…sinensis is an insect-borne fungus in the genus Cordyceps that has been used as part of herbal remedies for the prevention of various diseases [1,2]. C. sinensis has been shown to have multiple pharmacologic activities; the most notable is its antiproliferative activity on a variety of tumor cells.…”

“…Therefore, developing new therapies aimed at attenuating transplant arteriosclerosis is critical. Cordyceps sinensis (the Chinese caterpillar fungus) is a highly valued medicinal fungus used in Chinese herbal medicine that has been used in tonics to increase longevity, endurance, and vitality, and its medicinal value has gained worldwide attention in recent years [2,3]. C. sinensis has been shown to have multiple pharmacologic activities, including antiproliferative activities on a variety of tumor cells [4].…”

Antihyperglycemic activity of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: A Review

“…Leung et al (2009) indicated that polysaccharides obtained from O. sinensis with MW ranging from 5 to 210 kDa has antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. From review literatures that Chen et al, 2008;Hui Polysaccharides et al, 2006;Li et al, 2001;Li et al, 2003;Wang et al, .2009;Wu et al, 2005;Yan et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2003;Zhong et al, 2009Hypoglycemic Balon et al, 2002El Ashry et al, 2012;Polysaccharides Guo et al, 2010;Guo et al, 2011;Huang et al, 2002;Kan et al, 2012;Kiho et al, 1993;Li et al, 2006;Lo et al, 2004;Lo et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2003;Zhong et al, 2009 regarding the bioactive ingredients and bioactivities in antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of O. sinensis are shown in Table 1.…”