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.

This study suggests that fermented rice bran extract contains natural antioxidants. The contents of bioactive materials (e.g., polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids), antioxidative properties (DPPH (α,α'-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity, Fe reducing, Cu reducing power, peroxidation of linoleic acid and rat hepatocyte microsome) were tested by in vitro experimental models using fermented rice bran (FRB) extract. The concentrations of phenolic compound and flavonoid were 19.92 mg/g and 11.56 mg/g, respectively. In oxidation in vitro models using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, (free radical scavenging activity 69.8%) Fe reducing power and Cu reducing power (effect of dose-dependent manner), Fe 2+ /ascorbate induced linolenic acid peroxidation by ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods (inhibition activity 81%), and autooxidation of rat hepatic microsomes membrane (lipid peroxidation inhibition activity 38%), antioxidative activities were stronger in FRB extract than FRS (Fermented Rice and Soybean, positive control) extract and, these effects were dose-dependent manner. From these results, FRB extract was shown to have the most potent antioxidative properties and contain the highest amounts of antioxidative compounds such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Overall, these results may provide the basic data to understand the antioxidative properties of fermented rice bran for development of functional foods.

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This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris (CMα) strain on orotic acid (OA)-induced fatty liver in rats. OA treatment induced the retardation of body weight gain and enlargement of the liver. The activities of liver marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Alk. phosphatase and Cholinesterase were increased when treated with OA, but these parameters were significantly decreased in the CMα group. The current study observed significant elevations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels. However, among the OA groups, the CMα group showed significantly low TBARS levels of hepatic homogenate. The OA group resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of plasma and hepatic glutathione, but these reductions were significantly increased in the CMα group. These effects were more pronounced in the CMα group than in the PJ or CM groups in Orotic acid treated rats. Accordingly, Cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris (CMα) may be an ideal candidate for hepatoprotective effects in animal models.

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.