The methanolic extract of Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link fruiting body shows antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antihuman tumor cell lines properties

Abstract

Being Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link recognized as a medicinal and edible mushroom, this work intends to reveal new interesting bioactive molecules that could be isolated from this species. Hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds were analysed by chromatographic techniques coupled to different detectors. The methanolic extract of C. militaris was tested for its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-proliferative properties in different human tumor cell lines. Mannitol (2.01 g/100 g dw) and trehalose (24.71 g/100 g) were the free sugars found in C. militaris. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (68.87%) predominated over saturated fatty acids (23.40%) and δ-tocopherol was the only isoform of vitamin E detected (55.86 µg/100 g). The organic acids found in this mushroom were oxalic, citric and fumaric acids (0.33, 7.97 and 0.13 g/100g, respectively). p-Hydroxybenzoic acid was the only phenolic acid quantified in this species (0.02 mg/100 g); although cinnamic acid was also found (0.11 mg/100 g). The methanolic extract of C. militaris proved to inhibit lipid peroxidation, have reducing power and scavenge free radicals. This extract also revealed strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. Finally, the C. militaris extract was able to inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 (breast), NCI-H460 (non-small lung), HCT-15 (colon) and HeLa (cervical) human carcinoma cell lines.

Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris extract against bisphenol A induced reproductive damage

“…C. militaris has been used as an antioxidant for a long time. It has been confirmed that the extract of C. militaris could inhibit lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals [Reis et al 2013] and C. Sinensis could significantly improve the activity of SOD and GSH-Px to protect the testis from oxidative damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice [Jin and Chen 2008]. These results suggested that C. militaris could alleviate BPA-induced oxidative damage.…”

“…Traditional Chinese medicine believes that C. militaris can be used to treat impotence, seminal emission, and infertility, and invigorate kidney and lungs [Ch 2000;Zhu et al 1998]. Pharmacological studies have confirmed that C. militaris possesses a wide range of biological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and immune-modulatory [Liu et al 1994;Ng and Wang 2005;Reis et al 2013]. It can also improve reproductive function and repair reproductive dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide in mice [Jin and Chen 2008].…”

Can Suillus granulatus (L.) Roussel be classified as a functional food?

“…Organic acids were determined following a procedure previously described by the authors. 12,13 Analysis was performed using a Shimadzu 20A series UFLC (Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan). Separation was achieved on an SphereClone (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA, USA) reverse phase C 18 column (5 µm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d) thermostatted at 35 ºC.…”

“…Tocopherols were determined following a procedure previously described by the authors. 12,13 Analysis was performed by HPLC (equipment described above), and a fluorescence detector (FP-2020; Jasco) programmed for excitation at 290 nm and emission at 330 nm. The compounds were identified by chromatographic comparisons with authentic standards.…”

“…Similar patterns have been detected in different species of mushrooms both from Portugal and Serbia. 13,24 …”