The comparative effects of the fibrinolytic action, antioxidative activity, and tyrosinase inhibition of Cordyceps militaris powder and fermented Cordyceps militaris powders were investigated using several microscopic organisms. The nutritional components such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and minerals were also measured. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid concentrations were highest in the Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by Aspergillus oryzae. Major minerals were K, Ca, Mg, and Zn. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) analysis of the total protein patterns of Cordyceps militaris powder and fermented Cordyceps militaris powders revealed slight varietal differences. Fibrinolytic activity was highest in the Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus kawachii. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was slightly stronger in the powder fermented by Monascus purpureus; however, these samples all exhibited a relatively low activity when compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Tyrosinase inhibition activity was stronger in the powder fermented by Aspergillus oryzae than in unfermented powder. These results may provide basic data for understanding the biological activities and chemical characteristics of Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by several microscopic organisms for the development of functional foods.

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This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of cordycepin-increased Cordyceps militaris strain on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on six dietary categories: normal (N), CCl4 control (C), CCl4 plus Paecilomyces japonica (CPJ) (3%, w/w), CCl4 plus C. militaris (CCM) (3%, w/w), and CCl4 plus cordycepin-increased C. militaris (CCMα) (3%, w/w). The activities of the liver marker enzymes ALT, AST, and LDH and the levels of lipid peroxidation were increased in the CCl4-treated groups, but these parameters were significantly decreased in the CCMα group. The TBARS content in the liver homogenate, microsome, and mitochondrial fractions of the C group was significantly elevated compared with the N group. However, in the CCl4-treated groups, CCMα group was significantly lowered in the TBARS levels of hepatic homogenate and microsomal fractions. The C group showed a significant decrease in the levels of plasma and hepatic glutathione, whereas they were significantly increased in the CCMα group. Accordingly, cordycepin-increased C. militaris may be an ideal animal model for studying hepatoprotective effects.

This study was to investigate the potential effects of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (FAG) at 5% (w/w) levels in Sprague-Dawley strain rats, which were intoxicated with 1% (w/w) orotic acid (OA) for 10 days. The activities of several hepatic enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase were increased when OA was treated, but these parameters were significantly decreased by FAG administration. OA treatment induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was attenuated by FAG administration. Liver nonheme ion was decreased in the OA treatment group and was significantly increased in FAG administration, which suggests that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. The glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the OA treatment group compared with the normal group, but this concentration was significantly increased in the FAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. Based on these results, fermented Angelica gigas Nakai is a material with significant potential for development into a health food that can improve fatty liver conditions.