Cordyceps fungi: natural products, pharmacological functions and developmental products

Abstract

Objectives Parasitic Cordyceps fungi, such as Cordyceps sinensis, is a parasitic complex of fungus and caterpillar, which has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries particularly in China, Japan and other Asian countries. This article gives a general idea of the latest developments in C. sinensis research, with regard to the active chemical components, the pharmacological effects and the research and development of products in recent years. Key findings The common names for preparations include DongChongXiaCao in Chinese, winter worm summer grass in English. It has many bioactive components, such as 3 0 -deoxyadenosine, cordycepic acid and Cordyceps polysaccharides. It is commonly used to replenish the kidney and soothe the lung, and for the treatment of fatigue. It also can be used to treat conditions such as night sweating, hyposexuality, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, asthenia after severe illness, respiratory disease, renal dysfunction, renal failure, arrhythmias and other heart disease and liver disease. Because of its rarity and outstanding curative effects, several mycelia strains have been isolated from natural Cordyceps and manufactured by fermentation technology, and are commonly sold as health food products. In addition, some substitutes such as C. militaris and adulterants also have been used; therefore, quality control of C. sinensis and its products is very important to ensure their safety and efficacy. Summary Recent research advances in the study of Cordyceps, including Cordyceps mushrooms, chemical components, pharmacological functions and developmental products, has been reviewed and discussed. Developing trends in the field have also been appraised.

On the reliability of fungal materials used in studies on Ophiocordyceps sinensis

“…The bioactive properties of the fungus have also been confirmed by pharmacological studies [2][3][4]. It has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including respiratory, renal, liver, and cardiovascular diseases, hyposexuality, and hyperlipidemia [5][6][7].…”

Comparison of Dry Ashing, Wet Ashing and Microwave Digestion for Determination of Trace Elements in Periostracum Serpentis and Periostracum Cicadae by Icp-Aes

“…2.2 Reagents and chemicals HNO 3 , H 2 O 2 , KH 2 PO 4 and H 2 SO 4 are analytical grade. All aqueous solutions and dilutions were prepared with ultrapure water (18.2 MΩ cm) obtained from an SG Ultra Clear UV Plus system (Wasseraufbereitung und Regenerierstation GmbH, Germany).…”

“…With the development of medical science and the deepening of pharmacology study, the relationship between major or trace elements in natural medicines and pharmacological effect become a new research focus, the analysis of elements and elemental speciation has been more common reported [4][5][6][7] . At the same time, heavy metal pollution in natural medicines has been causing widespread concern [8][9][10][11][12] .…”

Determination and comparative analysis of 13 nucleosides and nucleobases in natural fruiting body of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and its substitutes

“…sensu lato , including C. guangdongensis, C. gunnii, C. hawkesii, C. kyushuensis, C. militaris, C. takaomontana, Elaphocordyceps ophioglossoides, O. gracilis, O. formosana, O. japonensis, O. longissima, O. sobolifera , and some of their allies have been researched (Li et al 2006b). These fungi related to Cordyceps sensu lato , although maybe not the anamorphic stage of the latter, such as Acremonium implicatum, Mortierella hepiali , and Paecilomyces hepiali , are beneficial and have been developed as health food or medicine for more than 20 years in China (Zhou et al 2009). …”