Cordyceps species, including C. sinensis, C. militaris, C. pruinosa and C. bassiana and C. staphylindaecola are prized traditional medicinal materials. From many Cordyceps species, Cordyceps militaris is well known and is ethopharmacologically known in Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. Continuous scientific studies have found that these preparations are capable of exhibiting numerous pharmacological activities as anti-oxidative, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-fibrotic, antiinflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-angiogenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity drugs. Many species of Cordyceps (more than 600 types) have not yet been evaluated for their pharmacological activities. A preliminary study indicated that the biological activity varied between species and even between strains of the same species. But the chemical and functional properties and constituents of Cordyceps militaris have been studies extensively.
The chemical constituents of Cordyceps militaris include cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) and its derivatives, ergosterol, polysaccharides, a glycoprotein and peptides containing aminoisobutyric acid. They include anti-tumour, anti-metastatic, mmunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-ageing, neuroprotective and renoprotective effects.
Cordycepin is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, anti-virus, insecticidal, antibacterial and anti-infection activities.
Polysaccharide accounts for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory, hypoglycaemic, steroidogenic and hypolipidaemic effects.
Ergosterol exhibits anti-tumour and immunomodulatory activity.
The aim of this presentation is to review the chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of Cordyceps militaris.

• Tae Woong Kim(Biochemistry, Kangwon National University)