-The extract from Hydnocarpi Semen (HS) has been used to treat leprosy and its anti-inflammatory activity has been reported. However, the effect of HS on the treatment of diabetic or peripheral ulcer is not well known. We therefore examined its wound healing effects on ulcer area in diabetic mice. GC and GC/MS analysis with the total extract of HS show that the main constituents of the extract are chaulmoogric acid, hydnocarpic acid, and gorlic acid. Whereas HS showed wound healing effect in diabetic ulcer, there was no hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice. The treatment of HS extract significantly decreased the level of total WBC and neutrophils in mice compared to control mice. Cutting ulcer was induced by the round-shaped punch on the backside of diabetic mice and the extract of HS was given orally or topically. The wound area score significantly decreased after treatment of HS at dose of 50 mg/kg. The treatment of HS also induced the activation of macrophages and increased the production of IL-12 and TNF-α in macrophages, indicating that the wound healing by HS extract is associated with the inflammatory effect via the activation of macrophages. Our results suggest that HS extract can be a new therapeutic candidate for treatment of diabetic ulcer.

Cordyceps (vegetable wasp and plant worm), an entomopathogenic fungi, has been used as a herbal medicine in Asian countries since ancient times. Cordyceps nutans is common but there is little research on this species. This study investigated the optimal culture conditions of C. nutans and the inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cell treated culture broth. The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth were 25℃ and pH 7.0-8.0. Mycelial growth was highest on mushroom complete medium (MCM), V8 juice agar (V8A), and yeast malt dextrose (YMD) medium. Mycelial growth on mushroom minimal medium (MMM) did not occur, so nutrient source was essential. Dextrose and sucrose as carbon sources, and ammonium citrate as a nitrogen source were satisfactory for mycelial growth. Cytotoxicity of C. nutans culture broth was not found in RAW 264.7 cells. C. nutans culture broth suppressed NO production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our results provided the optimal conditions for cultivation of C. nutans and showed that C. nutans may have excellent physiological activities.

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