Abstract
Cordyceps species are entomophagous pathogens with medicinal properties, mostly linked to cordycepin and N6- (2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine (HEA). An isolate of Cordyceps pruinosa (GZUCC 8552) was obtained from a fruiting body formed on the cocoon a Limacodidae insect collected in Guizhou Province, China. Morphological and molecular analysis (combined 5.8S ITS, RPB1 and 18S RNA) confirmed the species to be Cordyceps pruinosa. Metabolites of the isolate grown in liquid static and solid-state media were established by HPLC-MS. Cordycepin (5.311 mg/g) and HEA (0.558 mg/g) were produced by this strain. This is the first record of cordycepin from an isolate of Cordyceps pruinosa. As Cordyceps pruinosa is a good source of cordycepin and HEA, it could be used as an alternative to the over-collected Cordyceps sinensis.
Highlights
Cordyceps species are entomopathogenic taxa living mainly on arthropods, they have a long history of medicinal use throughout Asia (Sung et al, 2007a; Tuli et al, 2013) and have worldwide occurrence (Tuli et al, 2013)
C. pruinosa provides a new source of cordycepin and HEA
An isolate of C. pruinosa was obtained from a fruiting body forming on the cocoon of a species in Limacodidae from Guizhou Province, China
Summary
Cordyceps species are entomopathogenic taxa living mainly on arthropods, they have a long history of medicinal use throughout Asia (Sung et al, 2007a; Tuli et al, 2013) and have worldwide occurrence (Tuli et al, 2013). Cordyceps sensu lato species have long been used to promote longevity, relieve fatigue and treat numerous diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (Russell and Paterson 2008). Recent studies suggest that several species in this genus possess wide-ranging pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulating, antioxidant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities, and effects on apoptotic homeostasis (Yue et al, 2013; Zhou et al, 2009; De Silva et al, 2012a, b). Cordyceps sensu lato species are thought to have these broad pharmacological properties because they have a variety of active chemical constituents, which include cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides ergosterol, protein and amino acids (Zhou et al, 2009; De Silva et al, 2012a, b).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
