Myths and Realities Surrounding the Mysterious Caterpillar Fungus (original) (raw)
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Medicinal Mushrooms Ophiocordyceps Sinensis and Paecilomyces Hepiali
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The fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) belong to entomopathogenic fungi. Ophiocordy ceps sinensis has been used as a tonic and medicinal product in China for more than 2,000 years. A number of scientific papers have described the clinical use of this parasitic fungus with subsequent biological and pharmacological effects. The various chemical compounds identified in these fungi are responsible for a wide range of biological activity: cordycepin, cordycepic acid, D-mannitol, polysaccharides, nucleotides, proteins, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Our research focused on the determinations of the biologically active chemical compounds in extracts from cultivated Ophi ocordyceps fungi using UV/VIS (Ultraviolet/Visible) spectrophotometry and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. The testing of antimicrobial activity of extracts against the collection strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the percentage of RIZD (relative inhibition zone diameter) ranged from 83 % to 166 %. The increased antimicrobial
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2014
In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the Indian species of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (AECS), which demonstrates medicinal activity against numerous diseases. The chemical composition of AECS was quantified using a colorimeteric technique to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity was determined by assays for 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS); 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH); and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Adenosine nucleoside and nitrogenous bases (adenine and uracil) were also quantified by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Furthermore, the aqueous extract was also analyzed for anti-inflammatory activity in vitro using THP1 cells. THP1 cells were treated with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and AECS (at 25 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL, respectively) for 24 h. After 24 h, supernatants were harvested and kept at-80°C until the cytokine assays were performed. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) content was also estimated in treated and untreated murine peritoneal macrophages using Griess reagent. AECS significantly suppressed LPS-induced release of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP1 cells and significantly suppressed NO release in macrophage cells without exerting any toxic effect. These results indicate the anti-inflammatory activity of AECS. Additionally, this extract also has an antioxidant property, as high contents of phenols and flavonoids are present in the extract with considerable reducing power. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the potent antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory activity of AECS. Therefore, consumption of AECS may be clinically useful to protect against inflammatory diseases.
Potential of mushroom bioactive molecules to develop healthcare biotech products
Mushrooms are widely appreciated all over the world for their nutritional value and medicinal properties. They have low fat, high protein and vitamins contents. Mushrooms contain several minerals and trace elements, as well as substantial amount of dietary fibers. Basidiomycetes mushrooms (phylum Basidiomycota) including agaric and bracket fungi are also producers of bioactive molecules and valuable enzymes with different therapeutic effects. Therefore, they are considered as perspective organisms to develop different healthcare biotech-product. The main groups of bioactive molecules produced by different mushrooms are polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics, lectins etc. More than 126 therapeutic effects (immunemodulating, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, ect.) of these molecules were revealed. Nowadays, interest to biotechnological cultivation of Basidiomycetes mushrooms is related with the growing demand of different mushroom-based biotech-products in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The submerged cultivation of mycelium has significant industrial potential to obtain biomass and desired bioactive molecules for further development of consistent and safe healthcare products. Several pharmaceuticals (krestin, lentinane, coriolan, schyzophillan, etc.) formulated from medicinal mushrooms are already available in the world market. The majority of mushroom products possesses beneficial health effects owing to the synergistic action of present bioactive molecules and can be used on a regular basis without harm. Nutritive, anti-inflammatory, regenerative and antioxidant properties of several mushrooms makes their usage perspective in manufacturing of cosmetic products. Formulation of balanced food for pets is anew area of application of mushroom biotech-products. Establishment and maintenance of culture collections play important role in studies of biodiversity, genetic resources and biotechnological potential of Basidiomycetes mushrooms.
Mushrooms: Ecological Roles, Medicinal Properties, and Biotechnological Advances
Mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi, play significant roles in ecosystems and offer potential benefits in medicine and biotechnology. This paper discusses the biological characteristics of mushrooms, their ecological importance, and their applications in medicine and industry. Additionally, it explores their unique metabolic processes and the challenges faced in harnessing their full potential. By summarizing key research findings, this study aims to highlight the multifaceted contributions of mushrooms to environmental health and human well-being.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a natural fungus that has been valued as a health food and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The fungus is parasitic and colonizes insect larva. Naturally occurring O. sinensis thrives at high altitude in cold and grassy alpine meadows on the Himalayan mountain ranges. Wild O. sinensis is becoming increasingly rare in its natural habitats, and its price is out of reach for clinical practice. For these reasons, development of a standardized alternative is a great focus of research to allow the use of O. sinensis as a medicine. To develop an alternative for wild O. sinensis, a refined standardized extract, CBG-CS-2, was produced by artificial fermentation and extraction of the mycelial strain Paecilomyces hepiali CBG-CS-1, which originated from wild O. sinensis. In this study, we analyzed the in vivo immune-modulating effect of CBG-CS-2 in mice. Oral administration of CBG-CS-2 supported splenocyte stimulation and enhanced Th1-type cytokine expression from the splenocytes. Importantly, the same treatment significantly enhanced the natural killer cell activity of the splenocytes. Finally, oral administration of CBG-CS-2 enhanced the potential for inflammatory responses. Together, these findings indicate that the mycelial culture extract prepared from O. sinensis exhibited immune-modulating activity and suggest its possible use in the treatment of diseases caused by abnormal immune function.
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Mushrooms are new potential sources of valuable medicines, long neglected because of difficulties experienced in their cultivation. There is a large variety of medicinal mushrooms which possess significant therapeutic properties and are used as medications for various diseases because they contain several novel highly bioactive components. Medicinal mushrooms can be identified based on their morphology, size, mass, and the color of the stalk, cap and spore, and attachment to the stalk. Medicinal mushrooms possess a variety of important biological activities and are used as antioxidants, hepatoprotectors, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial agents, among others. This review provides a basic overview of the chemical scaffolds present in mushrooms and their therapeutic implications in the human body.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Pharmaceutical Industry
Fungus has ever since been of great interest to science. Among the group of eukaryotic organisms, fungi are of great importance and use. The very amazing kingdom Fungi includes few important organisms. Out of those few important organisms, one such is the cordyceps species which is of great interest to the mycologists from the time of their discovery. The reason behind being popular among mycologists is because of its bioactivity. There are a lot of bioactive compounds that are found in cordyceps species that proves to be a boon for pharmaceutical industry. This review article includes short discussion on Ophiocordyceps sinensis and the bioactive compound that they possess.