Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials

Abstract

Abstract. Elkhateeb WA, Daba GM. 2020. Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 70-77. As a traditional medicine, Cordyceps has long been used in Asian nations for maintaining vivacity and boosting immunity. Numerous publications on various bioactivities of Cordyceps have been investigated in both in-vitro as well as in vivo studies. Nevertheless, the role of Cordyceps is still arguable whether it acts as food supplement for health benefits or a real healing drug that can be prescribed in medicine. The Cordyceps industry has developed greatly and offers thousands of products, commonly available in a global marketplace. In this review, focus will be on introducing the ecology of Cordyceps and their classification. Moreover, elucidation of the richness of extracts originated from this mushroom in nutritional components was presented, with description of the chemical compounds of Cordyceps and its well-known compounds such as cordycepin, and cordycepic acid. Furthermore, highlights on natural growth and artificial cultivation of famous Cordyceps species were presented. The health benefits and reported bioactivities of Cordyceps species as promising antimicrobial, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, organ protective agent, and enhancer for organ function were presented.

The wild non edible mushrooms, what should we know so far?

“…Mushrooms are reported among the two fungal phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and each group ate characterized by having edible members, as well as non-edible (poisonous) members. The majority of mushrooms are saprophytes, but some are insect parasites, which extend the environmental application of mushrooms as agents that clean environment and recycle essential elements among food chain [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Also, as clean and efficient biocontrol agents that help in getting rid of many harmful insects.…”

Cordyceps More Than Edible Mushroom-A Rich Source of Diverse Bioactive Metabolites with Huge Medicinal Benefits

“…Mushrooms exist in two fungal phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, and over 14,000 species are identifi ed [1][2][3][4][5]. Mushrooms have well known nutritional value that can be compared to that of many vegetables, and act as substitute for meat [6][7][8][9][10]. Also, the saprophytic nature of mushrooms has contributed in the recycling capabilities of mushrooms which allow them to convert agro-wastes, food remains, and dead bodies to highly nutritious food [11][12][13][14][15].…”

Mycotherapy of the good and the tasty medicinal mushrooms Lentinus, Pleurotus, and Tremella

“…Medicinal mushrooms produce a wide range of bioactive compounds [1]. Medicinal mushrooms possess medicinal properties such as anti-tumor, immunomodulating, antioxidant, cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, detoxification, hepatoprotective, and anti-diabetic effects [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Hence, mushrooms have gained a lot of attention as a functional food and for the development of drugs and nutraceuticals.…”