전통적으로 Cordyceps종은 한국을 포함한 동양에서 건강증진과 심장과 폐에 관련된 질환을 치료하는 약용식물의 하나로 사용되어왔다. 최근에 동충하초의 약리적 가치 때문에 큰번데기 동충하초를 포함한 몇가지 Cordyceps종의 인공재배에 관한 연구가 활발하게 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 큰번데기 동충하초를 in vitro에서 인공재배한 결과 자실체 형성이 불안정한 것을 관찰하였기에 보고하고자 한다.

흰쥐에게 동충하초 추출분말 처리 사료를 식이한 결과 중성지질, 총 콜레스테롤 및 인지질 함량의 감소효과는 중성지질에서 가장 뛰어난 효과를 보인 반면 총 콜레스테롤 및 인지질 함량 감소에는 상대적으로 그 효과가 낮은 것으로 판명되었다. 이 때, 이들 지질성분의 함량 감소에 미치는 동충하초 추출분말의 처리효과는 3%(w/w)가 적정수준 이었다. 혈장 포도당 농도는 동충하초 추출분말 처리량이 증가할수록 감소하는 반비례의 관계를 나타내었으나 처리량의 증가에 따른 비례적 감소는 아닌 것으로 밝혀졌다. 혈장, 췌장, 근육조직의 인슐린 분비량의 변화는 혈장 포도당 농도변화와 거의 유사한 경향을 보였는데, 동충하초 추출분말의 처리량과 인슐린 분비량 사이에는 처리량의 증가에 따라 지속적으로 인슐린 분비량이 감소하는 정의 상관관계가 도출 되었다.

Cordyceps has been used in traditional Chinese medicine more than 2000 year ago. In this study, the new Cordyceps militaris was founded and isolated from O-dae mountain in Korea, and was identified its genetic characteristics. The newly isolation strain HB8 was most closet to Cordyceps militaris W141449 (99.82%), Cordyceps militaris JLCY-LI819 (99.82%) and Cordyceps militaris 4642 (99.81%), respectively. the genotypic result was show that train HB8 was belonging to the Cordyceps militaris genus, therefore, Cordycep militaris HB8 proposed with accession number MT835161. This study we find the optimal condition for production of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris HB8 was 8 ㎎ /g (200 g of pupa, 1 g of KH2PO4, 0.5 g of K2HPO4, 20 g of glucose, 1 g of MgSO4, 0.05 g of vitamin B1, and 1 ㎎ of NAA per liter; light condition 300-700 Lux and day/night was 14 h/10 h) and the optimum condition for the production of adenosine was 2.6 ㎎/g (15 g of skim milk powder, 1 g of KH2PO4, 0.5 g of K2HPO4, 20 g of glucose, 1 g of MgSO4, 0.05 g of vitamin B1, and 1 ㎎ of NAA per liter; light condition 300-700 Lux and day/night was 14 h/10 h).

This study aimed to provide basic evidence regarding the development of materials by analyzing the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Streptococcus thermophilus KCCM 3782 strain-fermented Cordyceps militaris grown on Tenebrio molitor. Among the solvents tested, DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in the hot water-extracted sample after 30 min of extraction. Moisture content decreased, whereas crude protein and fat content increased, after lactic acid bacteria-mediated fermentation. Sodium, magnesium, calcium, and zinc contents increased, with potassium levels attaining the maximum value, whereas free amino acid content decreased after the fermentation. Among Hunter's color values, a value increased to 66.7→149.92 after fermentation, whereas the L and b values decreased to 15.79→-15.75 and 54.45→0.01, respectively. Cordycepin content assay increased from 7.02 mg% to 8.66 mg%. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the fermented product was 91.92 EDA%, which was higher than that of the extract (84.69 EDA%). The ABTS free radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also higher in the fermented products.

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of fermented milk with addition of hot water extract of Cordyceps militaris grown upon Tenebrio molitor. The general components of Cordyceps militaris grown upon Tenebrio molitor are moisture 10.85%, crude protein 18.44%, crude fat 2.07%, crude ash 5.46%. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of different solvents were the highest (74.81 EDA%) with hot water extract sample. The acidity of fermented milk was high with increasing amount of extracts. The pH of fermented milk reached 4.60-4.66 after 4 h of fermentation, and the number of lactic acid bacteria was highest (11.70 log CFU/mL) with 1% fermented milk. The moisture content of fermented milk showed no significant difference. In addition, contents of crude protein were not significantly different according to addition amount. Regarding Hunter’s color values, L value decreased as the amount of extract increased, whereas a value and b value increased. The content of free amino acid increased with increasing amount of extract. The DPPH free radical scavenging ability and ABTS free radical scavenging ability of fermented milk were significantly different as the addition amount of extract increased. In the sensory evaluation, fermented milk containing 1% of extract showed the highest preference.

Background : Cordyceps militaris is a non-toxic, medicinal mushroom, which is known to possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities. And also, Glycyrrhiza uralensis is widely used as a crude drug in oriental medicine. However, the effects and mechanism of action of C. militaris and G. uralensis on Herpes simplex virsu (HSV), which is a serious skin disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. militaris and G. uralensis on Herpes simplex virus. Methods and Results : The results showed that the extracts and major compounds C. militaris and G. uralensis increased the TNF-α product on RAW 264.7. And also, these extracts and major compounds inhibited TNF-α product in RAW 264.7 induced by LPS. Querceitn, which was identified from G. uralensis, was showed Anti-virrus effect of Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Conclusion : Taken together, these results indicate that the anti-stomach cancer effect of C. militaris and G. uralensis in xenograft model implantated Epstein-Barr virus positive-stomach cancer cell line.

Background : Cordyceps militaris has been an wonder drug to anti-aging efficacy and called the three main drugs with ginseng and deer antler from the past. Cordycepin, cordycepic acid (d-mannitol) and adenosine are known as functional ingredients in Cordyceps militaris. Among them, cordycepin, the representative component, has been reported as antimicrobial substance containing immune enhancement, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods and Results : After Cordyceps militaris produced from different types of medium mixed with 10-fold volume of purified water, the mixture were extracted at 70±5℃ for a hour and that extracts re-extracted using ultrasonics wave for 30 minutes. Qualitative analysis of the index component was determined by using the Q-TOF (A quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer), and quantitative analysis was performed by using HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with Xselect HSS T3 column (2.1 X 100 mm, 2.5㎛, Waters, USA) and ultrapure water and acetonitrile as mobile phase A and B. Detection column temperature, injection volume and the flow rate were 35℃, 2 μL and 0.3 mL / minute respectively. The cordycepin content of Cordyceps militaris produced from medium mixed with vegetable and animal ingredients higher than single ingredient. Moreover, through a variety of analyzes by varying the type and content of the medium additives, the cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris produced from medium mixed with animal ingredients highest. Furthermore, the cordycepin content of a fruit body was higher than those of the a mycelium. Conclusion : These results provide a method for producing an high cordycepin content of Cordyceps militaris as functional food ingredient.

Background : The purpose of the present investigation is to enhance extracellular acidic protease production by subjecting a protease producing strain Cordyceps pruinosa DK-01 to random mutagenesis by UV irradiation after ethidium bromide treatment. Methods and Results : Mutants were screened as protease producers on the basis of zone of clearance and relative proteolytic activity (RPA) on skimmed milk agar plates. In addition, mutants showed strong pink-red color intensity and different RAPD profiling compared with wild type control. Four mutants were randomly selected and their extracellular enzyme activities were investigated. In liquid culture without casein, 2.2-, 2.9-, 5.2- and 4.4-fold higher acid protease activity was achieved from mutants DK-m9, -m11 and -m12, respectively, than that of wild type strain (11.13 ± 1.60 U/ml). In liquid culture with casein, 1.1-, 1.3-, 1.3 and 1.3-fold higher acid protease activity was achieved with those mutants were found to produce, respectively, than that of wild type strain (93.95 ± 12.84 U/ml). Maximum acid protease activity was noticed from a mutant DK-m11 in liquid culture with casein (121.18 U/ml) and without casein (57.65 U/ml). The extracellular acid protease produced from DJ-m11 that was active in the pH range 4.5-6.5 and optimum temperature for the activity was 37°C. Furthermore, we found a deformed, shorten structure of setae on the elytron surface of dynastid beetles treated with culture supernatant of the DK-m11. Conclusion : These findings have more impact on enzyme economy for biotechnological and insecticidal applications of fungal proteases.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the Cordyceps militaris extract on the improvement of the glucide metabolism in serum of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg BW, IP injection)-induced diabetic rats (SD strain, male) fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. Concentrations of creatinine, lipid peroxide and NEFA in sera were significantly higher in the STZ-induced diabetic group (group DMG) and STZ+Cordyceps militaris extract administration group (group DMS) than those in the control group (group BD). However, the concentrations of creatinine, lipid peroxide and NEFA in sera were reduced in the group DMS than those in the group DMG. The activity of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in serum was lower in the group DMS than in the group DMG. The activity of LCAT in serum was increased in the group DMS (Cordyceps militaris extract administration) than in the group DMG. The results indicate that Cordyceps militaris extract were effective in the improvement of the glucide metabolism in the sera of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Cordyceps militaris extract supplementation on the improvement of blood glucose, lipid compositions and hepatic functional enzyme activities in the serum of streptozotocin(STZ, 50 mg/kg BW, IP injection)-induced diabetic rats fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. The concentrations of blood glucose and lipid compositions(total cholesterol, β-lipoprotein, free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride and phospholipid) and atherosclerotic index in serum were significantly lower in the DM+CM group than in the DM group, whereas the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol in the DM+CM group were higher than in the DM group. The activities of hepatic functional enzymes(aminotransferase, LDH and ALP) in serum were lower in the Cordyceps militaris extract administration group(group DM+CM) than in the hyperglycemic DM group. The results shown above suggested that Cordyceps militaris extract supplementation effectively improves blood glucose and atherosclerosis in the serum of diabetic rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the feeding Cordyceps militaris extract on the improvement of the free fatty acid, lipid peroxide, creatinine and enzyme (creatine phosphokinase; CPK, lactate dehydrogenase; LDH, alkaline phosphatase; ALP, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase; LCAT) activities in the sera of dietary hypercholesterolemic rats (SD strain, male) fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. Concentrations of free fatty acid, lipid peroxide and CPK, LDH, ALP activities in sera were fairly reduced in the Cordyceps militaris extract administration group (CHE) than in the hypercholesterolemic diet group (CHD). However, no significance was found in the effect of an creatinine concentration among the groups. The LCAT activity in serum was increased in the Cordyceps militaris extract administration (CHE) than in the hypercholesterolemic diet group (CHD). From these results, Cordyceps militaris extracts were effective on the improvement of the lipid components and metabolic enzyme activities in sera of dietary hypercholesterolemic rats.

This study was performed to observe the effects of the feeding physiological activity substance in Cordyceps militaris hot-water extract intake on the improvement of lipid components and metabolic enzyme activities in the serum of dietary hyperlipidemic rats (SD strain, male) fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. The concentrations of cholesterol (total cholesterol, β-lipoprotein, LDL-cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester), atherosclerotic index, triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL) and blood glucose in sera were remarkably lower in the Cordyceps militaris extract intake group than in the hyperlipidemic rats. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration was higher percentage in the Cordyceps militaris extract intake group than in the hyperlipidemic rats. The activities aminotransferase (AST, ALT) in sera were rather lower in the Cordyceps militaris extract administration than in the hyperlipidemic rats. From the above research, Cordyceps militaris extract were effective on the improvement of the lipid compositions in sera of dietary hyperlipidemic rats.