Generic placeholder image

Current Traditional Medicine

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2215-0838
ISSN (Online): 2215-0846

Review Article

A Review: Ophiocordycep Sinensis (Berk.) as a Traditional Tibetan Medicine and its Potential in the Treatment of Various Human Ailments

Author(s): Yangchen Dolma Kom and R. Karthiyayini*

Volume 10, Issue 6, 2024

Published on: 11 August, 2023

Article ID: e070823219483 Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/2215083810666230807155214

Price: $65

conference banner
Abstract

Nature’s never-ending gift, which counts as one of the most valuable medicines in the entire world, the Ophiocordyceps sinensis, also known as caterpillar fungus, is a traditional Chinese medicine found in Tibetan plateaus. During the season of spring, many shepherd search for this caterpillar fungus as its value in the market is very high. Moreover, due to the effects of climatic change on its population and increasing demand, O. sinensis is now an endangered species. It can treat almost many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, immune dysfunction etc. The chemical composition of this fungus includes amino acids, glutamic acid, polyamines, cordycepic acid, saccharides, sterols, nucleotides, sugar derivatives, fatty acids, vitamins, and oleic acid.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Zhang Y, Li E, Wang C, Li Y, Liu X. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the flagship fungus of China: Terminology, life strategy and ecology. Mycology 2012; 3(1): 2-10.
[2]
Yue K, Ye M, Zhou Z, Sun W, Lin X. The genus Cordyceps: A chemical and pharmacological review. J Pharm Pharmacol 2013; 65(4): 474-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.2012.01601.x] [PMID: 23488776]
[3]
Lo HC, Hsieh C, Lin FY, Hsu TH. A systematic review of the mysterious caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis in DongChongXiaCao (冬蟲夏草 Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo) and related bioactive ingredients. J Tradit Complement Med 2013; 3(1): 16-32.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2225-4110(16)30164-X] [PMID: 24716152]
[4]
Wang XL, Yao YJ. Host insect species of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: A review. ZooKeys 2011; (127): 43-59.
[PMID: 21998547]
[5]
Xiang L, Li Y, Zhu Y, et al. Transcriptome analysis of the Ophiocordyceps sinensis fruiting body reveals putative genes involved in fruiting body development and cordycepin biosynthesis. Genomics 2014; 103(1): 154-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2014.01.002] [PMID: 24440419]
[6]
Li Y, Hu XD, Yang RH, et al. Complete mitochondrial genome of the medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Sci Rep 2015; 5(1): 13892.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep13892] [PMID: 26370521]
[7]
Quan QM, Wang QX, Zhou XL, et al. Comparative phylogenetic relationships and genetic structure of the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis and its host insects inferred from multiple gene sequences. J Microbiol 2014; 52(2): 99-105.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12275-014-3391-y] [PMID: 24500473]
[8]
Zhang Y, Xu L, Zhang S, et al. Genetic diversity of Ophiocordyceps sinensis, a medicinal fungus endemic to the Tibetan Plateau: Implications for its evolution and conservation. BMC Evol Biol 2009; 9(1): 290.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-9-290] [PMID: 20003548]
[9]
Liu ZQ, Lin S, Baker PJ, et al. Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella sinensis isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis. BMC Genomics 2015; 16(1): 106.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12864-015-1269-y] [PMID: 25765329]
[10]
Chen YQ, Hu B, Xu F, Zhang W, Zhou H, Qu LH. Genetic variation of Cordyceps sinensis, a fruit-body-producing entomopathogenic species from different geographical regions in China. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2004; 230(1): 153-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1097(03)00889-9] [PMID: 14734179]
[11]
Shrestha S, Shrestha AK, Park JH, et al. Review on pharmacologically active metabolites from Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), an epitome of Himalayan elixir. Nepal J Sci Technol 2014; 14(2): 49-58.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10415]
[12]
Zhou XW, Li LJ, Tian EW. Advances in research of the artificial cultivation of Ophiocordyceps sinensis in China. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2014; 34(3): 233-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/07388551.2013.791245] [PMID: 23875938]
[13]
Ghanshyam G, Manvitha K. Yarsagumba: A miracle mushroom its history, cultivation, phytopharmacology and medicinal uses. Revista Int J Herbal Med 2017; 5(2): 2321-187.
[14]
Li H, Hu Z, Yuan J, et al. A novel extracellular protease with fibrinolytic activity from the culture supernatant of Cordyceps sinensis: Purification and characterization. Phytother Res 2007; 21(12): 1234-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2246] [PMID: 17661328]
[15]
Zhao Y, Xie R, Chao X, Zhang Y, Lin R, Sun W. Bioactivity-directed isolation, identification of diuretic compounds from Polyporus umbellatus. J Ethnopharmacol 2009; 126(1): 184-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.033] [PMID: 19665537]
[16]
Yan JK, Wang WQ, Wu JY. Recent advances in Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharides: Mycelial fermentation, isolation, structure, and bioactivities: A review. J Funct Foods 2014; 6: 33-47.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2013.11.024] [PMID: 32362940]
[17]
Yoon TJ, Yu KW, Shin KS, Suh HJ. Innate immune stimulation of exo-polymers prepared from Cordyceps sinensis by submerged culture. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2008; 80(6): 1087-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1607-y] [PMID: 18690428]
[18]
Ng TB, Wang HX. Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps, a prized folk medicine. J Pharm Pharmacol 2010; 57(12): 1509-19.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1211/jpp.57.12.0001] [PMID: 16354395]
[19]
Li SP, Zhang GH, Zeng Q, et al. Hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharide, with antioxidation, isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia. Phytomedicine 2006; 13(6): 428-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2005.02.002] [PMID: 16716913]
[20]
Shrestha S, Shrestha B, Park JH, Lee DY, Cho JG, Baek NI. a valued traditional Himalayan medicine. Nepal J Sci Technol 2013; 13(1): 43-58.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v13i1.7398]
[21]
Shrestha B, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Liu X. What is the Chinese caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordycipitaceae)? Mycology 2010; 1(4): 228-36.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2010.536791]
[22]
Zhang W, Yang J, Chen J, Hou Y, Han X. Immunomodulatory and antitumour effects of an exopolysaccharide fraction from cultivated Cordyceps sinensis (Chinese caterpillar fungus) on tumour-bearing mice. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2005; 42(Pt 1): 9-15.
[PMID: 15574120]
[23]
Pao HY, Pan BS, Leu SF, Huang BM. Cordycepin stimulated steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells through the protein kinase C Pathway. J Agric Food Chem 2012; 60(19): 4905-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf205091b] [PMID: 22512531]
[24]
Liu Z, Liang Z, Liu A, Yao Y, Hyde KD, Yu Z. Molecular evidence for teleomorph-anamorph connections in Cordyceps based on ITS-5.8S rDNA sequences. Mycol Res 2002; 106(9): 1100-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0953756202006378]
[25]
Moradali MF, Mostafavi H, Ghods S, Hedjaroude GA. Immunomodulating and anticancer agents in the realm of macromycetes fungi (macrofungi). Int Immunopharmacol 2007; 7(6): 701-24.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2007.01.008] [PMID: 17466905]
[26]
Koh JH, Yu KW, Suh HJ, Choi YM, Ahn TS. Activation of macrophages and the intestinal immune system by an orally administered decoction from cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2002; 66(2): 407-11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1271/bbb.66.407] [PMID: 11999417]
[27]
Cheung JKH, Li J, Cheung AWH, et al. Cordysinocan, a polysaccharide isolated from cultured Cordyceps, activates immune responses in cultured T-lymphocytes and macrophages: Signaling cascade and induction of cytokines. J Ethnopharmacol 2009; 124(1): 61-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.010] [PMID: 19446414]
[28]
Umadat V, Ihedioha O, Shiu R, Uzonna J, Myal Y. The prolactin-inducible-protein (PIP): A regulatory molecule in adaptive and innate immunity. Open J Immunol 2013; 3(4): 210-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oji.2013.34026]
[29]
Wang L, Wang G, Zhang J, et al. Extraction optimization and antioxidant activity of intracellular selenium polysaccharide by Cordyceps sinensis SU-02. Carbohydr Polym 2011; 86(4): 1745-50.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.07.007]
[30]
Chidi BB. A potential medicinal herb: cordyceps sinensis. 2013. Available from: https://www.pharmatutor.org/articles/potential-medicinal-herb-cordyceps-sinensis?page=2
[31]
Sirisidthi K, Kosai P, Jiraungkoorskul W. Antihyperglycemic activity of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: A review. Indian J Agric Res 2015; 49(5): 400-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.18805/ijare.v49i5.5801]
[32]
Kiho T, Hui J, Yamane A, Ukai S. Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXII. Hypoglycemic activity and chemical properties of a polysaccharide from the cultural mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull 1993; 16(12): 1291-3.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1248/bpb.16.1291] [PMID: 8130781]
[33]
Nam SH, Jung I, Hong IP, et al. Report on the genus Cordyceps and its anamorphs collected in Korea. J Sericult Entomol Sci 2005; 47(1): 18-30.
[34]
Gutteridge J, Halliwell B. Antioxidants in nutrition, health, and disease. Oxford University Press 1994.
[35]
Li SP, Zhao KJ, Ji ZN, et al. A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury. Life Sci 2003; 73(19): 2503-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0024-3205(03)00652-0] [PMID: 12954458]
[36]
Shen W, Song D, Wu J, Zhang W. Protective effect of a polysaccharide isolated from a cultivated Cordyceps mycelia on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells. Phytother Res 2011; 25(5): 675-80.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3320] [PMID: 21043033]
[37]
Kobori M, Yoshida M, Ohnishi-Kameyama M, Shinmoto H. Ergosterol peroxide from an edible mushroom suppresses inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages and growth of HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 150(2): 209-19.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0706972] [PMID: 17160010]
[38]
Awad AB, Chan KC, Downie AC, Fink CS. Peanuts as a source of β-sitosterol, a sterol with anticancer properties. Nutr Cancer 2000; 36(2): 238-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327914NC3602_14] [PMID: 10890036]
[39]
Zhang J, Yu Y, Zhang Z, Ding Y, Dai X, Li Y. Effect of polysaccharide from cultured Cordyceps sinensis on immune function and anti-oxidation activity of mice exposed to 60Co. Int Immunopharmacol 2011; 11(12): 2251-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2011.09.019] [PMID: 22001898]
[40]
Gabay O, Sanchez C, Salvat C, et al. Stigmasterol: A phytosterol with potential anti-osteoarthritic properties. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2010; 18(1): 106-16.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2009.08.019] [PMID: 19786147]
[41]
Sheng L, Chen J, Li J, Zhang W. An exopolysaccharide from cultivated Cordyceps sinensis and its effects on cytokine expressions of immunocytes. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2011; 163(5): 669-78.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12010-010-9072-3] [PMID: 20811959]
[42]
Wang ZM, Peng X, Lee KLD, Tang JC, Cheung PCK, Wu JY. Structural characterisation and immunomodulatory property of an acidic polysaccharide from mycelial culture of Cordyceps sinensis fungus Cs-HK1. Food Chem 2011; 125(2): 637-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.09.052] [PMID: 30634280]
[43]
Ostlund RE Jr. Phytosterols, cholesterol absorption and healthy diets. Lipids 2007; 42(1): 41-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-006-3001-9] [PMID: 17393209]
[44]
Leu SF, Poon SL, Pao HY, Huang BM. The in vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of cordycepin on mouse leydig cell steroidogenesis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2011; 75(4): 723-31.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1271/bbb.100853] [PMID: 21512251]
[45]
Jia JM, Ma XC, Wu CF, Wu LJ, Hu G. Cordycedipeptide A, a new cyclodipeptide from the culture liquid of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. Chem Pharm Bull 2005; 53(5): 582-3.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1248/cpb.53.582] [PMID: 15863936]
[46]
Wang J, Liu YM, Cao W, Yao KW, Liu ZQ, Guo JY. Anti-inflammation and antioxidant effect of Cordymin, a peptide purified from the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps sinensis, in middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Metab Brain Dis 2012; 27(2): 159-65.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11011-012-9282-1] [PMID: 22327557]
[47]
Ilowite J, Spiegler P, Chawla S. Bronchiectasis: New findings in the pathogenesis and treatment of this disease. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2008; 21(2): 163-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QCO.0b013e3282f4f237] [PMID: 18317040]
[48]
Babu B, Wu JT. Production of natural butylated hydroxytoluene as an antioxidant by freshwater phytoplankton 1. J Phycol 2008; 44(6): 1447-54.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2008.00596.x] [PMID: 27039859]
[49]
Yan JK, Wang WQ, Li L, Wu JY. Physiochemical properties and antitumor activities of two α-glucans isolated from hot water and alkaline extracts of Cordyceps (Cs-HK1) fungal mycelia. Carbohydr Polym 2011; 85(4): 753-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.03.043]
[50]
Leung PH, Zhao S, Ho KP, Wu JY. Chemical properties and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharides from mycelial culture of Cordyceps sinensis fungus Cs-HK1. Food Chem 2009; 114(4): 1251-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.10.081]
[51]
Kuo MC, Chang CY, Cheng TL, Wu MJ. Immunomodulatory effect of exo-polysaccharides from submerged cultured Cordyceps sinensis: Enhancement of cytokine synthesis, CD11b expression, and phagocytosis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2007; 75(4): 769-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-007-0880-5] [PMID: 17310399]
[52]
Weng SC, Chou CJ, Lin LC, Tsai WJ, Kuo YC. Immunomodulatory functions of extracts from the Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps cicadae. J Ethnopharmacol 2002; 83(1-2): 79-85.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00212-X] [PMID: 12413710]
[53]
Chen SD, Lin SY, Lai YS, Cheng YH. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis adlay fermentative products on antioxidant activities and macrophage functions. Taiwan J Agric Chem Food Sci 2008; 46(6): 223-33.
[54]
Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16(5): 585-90.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0226] [PMID: 20804368]
[55]
Chen W, Zhang W, Shen W, Wang K. Effects of the acid polysaccharide fraction isolated from a cultivated Cordyceps sinensis on macrophages in vitro. Cell Immunol 2010; 262(1): 69-74.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.01.001] [PMID: 20138259]
[56]
Wu Y, Sun H, Qin F, Pan Y, Sun C. Effect of various extracts and a polysaccharide from the edible mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis on cellular and humoral immune response against ovalbumin in mice. Phytother Res 2006; 20(8): 646-52.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1921] [PMID: 16691546]
[57]
Huang ZJ, Ji H, Li P, Xie L, Zhao XC. Hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of polysaccharides from cultured mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Zhongguo Yaoke Daxue Xuebao 2002; 33(1): 51-4.
[58]
Chen J, Zhang W, Lu T, Li J, Zheng Y, Kong L. Morphological and genetic characterization of a cultivated Cordyceps sinensis fungus and its polysaccharide component possessing antioxidant property in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Life Sci 2006; 78(23): 2742-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.10.047] [PMID: 16492382]
[59]
Song D, He Z, Wang C, Yuan F, Dong P, Zhang W. Regulation of the exopolysaccharide from an anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis on dendritic cell sarcoma (DCS) cell line. Eur J Nutr 2013; 52(2): 687-94.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0373-x] [PMID: 22610670]
[60]
Zhang W, Li J, Qiu S, Chen J, Zheng Y. Effects of the exopolysaccharide fraction (EPSF) from a cultivated Cordyceps sinensis on immunocytes of H22 tumor bearing mice. Fitoterapia 2008; 79(3): 168-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2007.09.001] [PMID: 18180114]
[61]
Kubo E, Sato A, Yoshikawa N, Kagota S, Shinozuka K, Nakamura K. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on TIMP-1 secretion from mouse melanoma cell. Open Life Sci 2012; 7(1): 167-71.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11535-011-0094-9]
[62]
Yu L, Zhao J, Zhu Q, Li SP. Macrophage biospecific extraction and high performance liquid chromatography for hypothesis of immunological active components in Cordyceps sinensis. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2007; 44(2): 439-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2007.01.003] [PMID: 17276646]
[63]
Li SP, Yang FQ, Tsim KWK. Quality control of Cordyceps sinensis, a valued traditional Chinese medicine. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2006; 41(5): 1571-84.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2006.01.046] [PMID: 16504449]
[64]
Zhao YY, Shen X, Chao X, et al. Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Biochim Biophys Acta, Gen Subj 2011; 1810(4): 384-90.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2010.12.005] [PMID: 21241775]
[65]
Matsuda H, Akaki J, Nakamura S, et al. Apoptosis-inducing effects of sterols from the dried powder of cultured mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Chem Pharm Bull 2009; 57(4): 411-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1248/cpb.57.411] [PMID: 19336939]
[66]
Bok JW, Lermer L, Chilton J, Klingeman HG, Towers GHN. Antitumor sterols from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Phytochemistry 1999; 51(7): 891-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00128-4] [PMID: 10423860]
[67]
Xiao ZH, Zhou JH, Wu HS. Effect of myriocin on the expression of cyclinD1 in high glucose-induced hypertrophy mesangial cells. Chin J Contemp Pediatr 2011; 13(8): 677-9.
[68]
Dong CH, Yao YJ. On the reliability of fungal materials used in studies on Ophiocordyceps sinensis. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2011; 38(8): 1027-35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0877-4] [PMID: 20922458]
[69]
Maggirwar SB, Dhanraj DN, Somani SM, Ramkumar V. Adenosine acts as an endogenous activator of the cellular antioxidant defense system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994; 201(2): 508-15.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1994.1731] [PMID: 8002980]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy