Therapeutic Properties and Anti-Lipidemic Activity of Cordyceps sinensis

Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis is an entomophagous medicinal mushroom, which is mainly endemic to the Tibetan Plateau including the adjoining high altitude areas. The fungus attacks many lepidopteran larvae caterpillars and mummifies it. The larvae along with the mummified insect are highly valued for their medicinal property. Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most efficient and expensive medicinal mushrooms in traditional medicinal systems such as those in China and Tibet, having multiple medicinal and pharmacological properties. It has been used to treat respiratory and immune disorders; pulmonary diseases; renal, liver, and cardiovascular diseases; hyposexuality; and hyperlipidemia. The extract of this mushroom and its bioactive compounds are noteworthy for their ability to regulate lipid metabolism and thereby exhibit anti-lipidemic activity. Cordycepin in particular, which is a bioactive compound existing in Cordyceps sinensis, has been identified as one of the primary compounds of interest in this aspect. Despite the global and scientific interest exerted toward Cordyceps sinensis, it appears to be of utmost importance that the price and other market factors owing to the rarity of this herb are managed through artificial means of synthesis.

The Hunt for Himalayan Traditional Medicine Parasitic Treasure: ‘Caterpillar Fungi’

“…In 2017 Yadav and his associates studied the trading disputes arising due to the dependence of different groups of the Himalaya for the caterpillar fungus [15]. Samarasinghe and Waisundara in 2020 investigated the therapeutic characteristics and anti-lipid characteristics of Cordyceps sinensis [16]. Choda in the year 2017 inferenced in his study that there has been lack of medicinal trials of Cordyceps sinensis in individuals through avante garde therapies but folk medicinal therapies clearly depicts its high medicinal traits [17].…”