Cordycepin Isolated from Cordyceps militaris: Its Newly Discovered Herbicidal Property and Potential Plant-Based Novel Alternative to Glyphosate

Abstract

There is currently much interest in finding new phytochemicals among plants and fungi as nature-based alternatives to replace problematic herbicides such as glyphosate, which are preferentially used in agricultural production n. We discovered striking herbicidal potency in Cordyceps militaris (L.) and identified cordycepin as its principal plant growth inhibitor. Cordycepin obtained as an ethyl acetate extract was subjected to column chromatography and evaluated for its bioassay-guided phytotoxic capacity against Raphanus sativus (radish), showing a maximum inhibition on germination and growth of radish (IC50 = 0.052–0.078 mg/mL). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (m/z: 251.2) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) ([M + Na]+ m/z: 274.1; [M + H]+ m/z: 252.1) analyses confirmed cordycepin as the major component of the tested column fraction (55.38%). At 0.04 mg/mL, cordycepin showed 3.8–5.9- and 3.3–3.7-fold greater inhibition of the germination and growth of radish than benzoic acid (BA) and glyphosate, respectively. Compared with BA, isolated cordycepin reduced plant chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (2.0–9.5 -fold), while proline, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were increased 1.2–1.8-fold. Finally, cordycepin promoted electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde accumulation in radish aerial parts. Thus, cordycepin successfully isolated from Cordyceps militaris is a highly potent plant growth inhibitor with pending worldwide patent and may become a potential plant-based novel alternative to the disputed glyphosate.

Enhancement of Chemical Stability and Dermal Delivery of Cordyceps militaris Extracts by Nanoemulsion

“…Therefore, cordycepin, phenolics, and flavonoids were polar compounds extracted well using a polar solvent. The results were well in accordance with Quy et al (2019), who reported that solvent polarity and extraction time affected the cordycepin content of C. militaris fruiting body [36]. Besides, Abarca-Vargas et al (2016) reported that phenolic compounds were more efficiently extracted by high polar solvents and the total phenolic content is obviously related to type of solvent and its polarity index [37].…”

“…Additionally, polysaccharide fractions containing t-Galp and 1,2-Manp have been reported for a potent FRAP value of 78.4 µmol Fe 2+ /g [53]. Similarly, cordycepin was not responsible for lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of C. militaris extract (R 2 = 0.1914) since hydrophilicity of cordycepin was incompatible with the lipid peroxidation assay [36,54]. On the other hand, chemical components of C. militaris extract responsible for high ferric reducing antioxidant power were other compounds than cordycepin because there was almost no relation between the cordycepin content and ferric reducing ability (R 2 = 0.0657).…”

Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal the regulatory networks and metabolite biosynthesis pathways during the development of Tolypocladium guangdongense

“…Cordycepin is an important metabolite in C. militaris , and possesses the potential as a medicine, food and herbicide [79] , [80] , [81] . In T. guangdongense , extremely low levels of cordycepin were detected, and the genes involved in cordycepin biosynthesis were not identified in the genome of T. guangdongense .…”

Nidulantes of Aspergillus (Formerly Emericella): A Treasure Trove of Chemical Diversity and Biological Activities

“…Investigation of an E. variecolor-derived sponge (Cinachyrella sp.) led to the isolation of 7 new polyketides: varioxiranols A−G (117−123) and a new hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)-isoprenoid metabolite, 19-O-methyl-22-methoxypre-shamixanthone (124) (Figures 7 and 8). Varioxiranols F and G were reported as the first metabolites that include a link of xanthone moiety to a benzyl alcohol via an ether bond [72].…”

“…Based on the scientific literature published on the genus Emericella and some other fungal species [124][125][126][127][128], fungal metabolites could replace some conventional shelf drugs that are common in the market with extremely few drawbacks, for example cordycepin (a nucleoside obtained from Cordyceps militaris) replaces glyophosate and benzoic acid. Cordycepin showed a maximum inhibition on the germination and growth of Raphanus sativus (radish) (IC 50 = 0.052-0.078 mg/mL).…”