Cordycepin, an Active Constituent of Nutrient Powerhouse and Potential Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris Linn., Ameliorates Age-Related Testicular Dysfunction in Rats

Abstract

Age-related male sexual dysfunction covers a wide variety of issues, together with spermatogenic and testicular impairment. In the present work, the effects of cordycepin (COR), an active constituent of a nutrient powerhouse Cordyceps militaris Linn, on senile testicular dysfunction in rats was investigated. The sperm kinematics, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenic factors, sex hormone receptors, histone deacetylating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and autophagy-related mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) expression in aged rat testes were evaluated. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (2-month-old; YC), aged control (12-month-old; AC), and aged plus COR-treated groups (5 (COR-5), 10 (COR-10), and 20 (COR-20) mg/kg). The AC group showed reduced sperm kinematics and altered testicular histomorphology compared with the YC group (p < 0.05). However, compared with the AC group, the COR-treated group exhibited improved sperm motility, progressiveness, and average path/straight line velocity (p < 0.05–0.01). Alterations in spermatogenesis-related protein and mRNA expression were significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) in the COR-20 group compared with the AC group. The altered histone deacetylating SIRT1 and autophagy-related mTORC1 molecular expression in aged rats were restored in the COR-20 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that COR holds immense nutritional potential and therapeutic value in ameliorating age-related male sexual dysfunctions.

Cordycepin for Health and Wellbeing: A Potent Bioactive Metabolite of an Entomopathogenic Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps with Its Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potential

“…Moreover, according to various scientific reports, the Cordyceps active component cordycepin is considered very useful due to its potential application in various ailments (Figure 3). Several pharmaceutical as well as nutraceutical preparations made from Cordyceps dry powder (Table 2) are marketed and reported to protect renal and hepatic functions, improve intracellular energy exchange, increases oxygenation and natural endurance, remove toxins from the body, control blood glucose level and lipid profile, delays the aging process, stimulates the natural metabolism of energy and nourishes the body's immune system [59].…”

Protective Effects of Nucleosides‐Rich Extract from Cordyceps cicadae against Cisplatin Induced Testicular Damage.

“…C. cicadae has been shown to accumulate several bioactive constituents including polysaccharides, nucleosides, cyclopeptides and steroids [9] . Specifically, the extracts from the mycelia of C. cicadae is extremely rich in nucleosides particularly adenosine, cordycepin and N 6 ‐2‐(hydroxyethyl)adenosine ( Figure 1) with well reported antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties as well as enhancement of testicular function [12–15] . Despite the sizeable number of reports on C. cicadae ’s modulatory effect on several toxicity models, its effect on CISP‐induced testicular damage remains as an open question.…”

Effects of Cultured Cordycep militaris on Sexual Performance and Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

“…Our findings are in agreement with previous studies reporting CM improved sperm quality and quantity in rats [ 15 ], and long-term administration of cordycepin has been shown to counteract the decline of testicular function in middle-aged rats [ 16 ]. A significant improvement in sperm quality has also been reported in aged rats that received cordycepin extracted from CM [ 28 ]. In contrast, the number of sperm and its motility were relatively unchanged in diabetic rats treated with sildenafil citrate.…”