The fruiting body and its caterpillar host of Cordyceps sinensis show close resemblance in main constituents and anti-oxidation activity.

Cordyceps (summer-grass, winter-worm), one of the most valued traditional Chinese medicines, is used commonly for the replenishment of body health. It consists of the dried fungus Cordyceps sinensis growing on caterpillar larvae. For medication, the fruiting body (fungus) and the worm (caterpillar) are used together. However, the pharmacological efficiency and the main constituents of the individual parts have not been determined. In the present study the water extracts from the fruiting body and worm of natural Cordyceps were analyzed for their content of nucleosides and polysaccharides; the results showed that the worm had chemical composition similar to the fruiting body. In addition, both the fruiting body and worm of Cordyceps showed similar potency in their anti-oxidation activities in the xanthine oxidase assay, the induction of hemolysis assay and the lipid-peroxidation assay. These results suggest that the function of the worm in Cordyceps is to provide a growth medium for the fruiting body, and that eventually, the worm is totally invaded by C. sinensis mycelia.     

A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis,a traditional Chinese medicine,protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses activities in anti-tumour, anti-oxidation and stimulating the immune system; however, the identity of active component(s) is not determined. By using anti-oxidation activity-guided fractionation, a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210 kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, having strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in a ratio of 1 : 0.6 : 0.75. The pre-treatment of isolated polysaccharide on the cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells shows strong protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced insult. Treatment of the cells with the isolated polysaccharide at 100 microg/ml prior to H(2)O(2) exposure significantly elevated the survival of PC12 cells in culture by over 60%. In parallel, the H(2)O(2)-induced production of malondialdehyde in cultured cells was markedly reduced by the polysaccharide treatment. Moreover, the pre-treatment of the isolated polysaccharide significantly attenuated the changes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in H(2)O(2)-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report in identifying a polysaccharide from Cordyceps, which protects against the free radical-induced neuronal cell toxicity.     

人工培养蛹虫草与野生冬虫夏草氨基酸含量的比较

对人工培养蛹虫草与青海产野生冬虫夏草的氨基酸含量进行测定,结果表明:野生冬虫夏草中所含有的各种氨基酸,在人工培养虫草的子实体及菌丝体中都有存在;且后者的精氨酸及脯氨酸含量明显高于野生冬虫夏草。由此为鉴定人工培养虫草的质量,进一步为工业规模开发与利用人工培养虫草,提供了科学理论依据。     

The effect of Zn on the Zn accumulation and biosynthesis of amino acids in mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis

Zinc is an essential trace element in the human body and it participates in various pathways of metabolism. Cordyceps sinensis is a wellknown traditional Chinese medicine that contains cordycepin, cordycepic polysaccharides, proteins, vitamins, trace elements, and many other biological active materials. In this study, we cultured C. sinensis in liquid medium containing Zn ions and then analyzed the biomass, the ratios of total Zn accumulation, and the organic Zn content in the mycelia. The results showed that when the media contain 150 mg/L Zn, the biomass of mycelia of C. sinensis reached 10.7 g/L and the Zn content present in the mycelia reached 4875.1 microg/g. The percentage of Zn accumulated in the mycelia was 34.05% of the total Zn in the media, of which the organic Zn accounted for 76.33%. The results also revealed that the content of total amino acid (TAA) and essential amino acid (EAA) in the mycelia were increased substantially TAA and EAA in the Zn-treated mycelia were 11.1% and 15.2% higher, respectively, than that in the mycelia without Zn treatment. These results will be useful for elucidation of the physiological mechanism of Zn effects on the biological metabolism in the mycelia of C. sinensis.     

冬虫夏草及人工虫草菌丝体的氨基酸营养

本文研究了天然虫草菌与人工虫草菌的氨基酸含量。结果表明,天然虫草菌、人工虫草菌的总氨基酸含量稍有差异,但中性、酸性、碱性氨基酸和必需氨基酸在总氨基酸中所占百分比的高低基本一致。     

虫草属分子系统学研究现状

近年来的分子系统学研究结果表明 ,麦角菌目 (Clavicipitales)与肉座菌目 (Hypocreales)以及虫草属[Cordyceps(Fr.)Link]与麦角菌科 (Clavicipitaceae)内的有关种属关系密切 ,但虫草属为一多系群 ,其中只有新虫草亚属的种类形成单系群。虫草属种类的进化与寄主有一定的关系 ,有关研究显示它们在亲缘关系相差很大的寄主之间多次转移。多个独立的ITS序列研究表明 ,阔孢虫草 (CordycepscrassisporaM .Zangetal.)、甘肃虫草(CordycepsgansuensisK .Y .Zhangetal.)、多轴虫草 (CordycepsmultiaxialisM .Zang&Kinjo)、尼泊尔虫草 (CordycepsnepalensisM .Zang&Kinjo)与冬虫夏草 [Cordycepssinensis(Berk.)Sacc.]为同一物种 ;RAPD和ITS序列分析还显示不同地理分布的冬虫夏草存在明显的遗传分化。分子生物学方法在确定有性型与无性型的关系上已经为多种虫草菌提供了有力的证据。本文主要对虫草属分子系统学研究现状进行了综述 ,同时就分子生物学研究中的取样问题、一些分子方法的适用范围以及有性型与无性型的关系等问题进行了讨论。     

古尼虫草核苷类成分的高效液相色谱分析*

以已知核苷为标样,并以冬虫夏草做对比,利用反相高效液相色谱法对古尼虫草及其发酵菌丝体的核苷类化学成分进行了分析,结果表明古尼虫草和冬虫夏草主要含有7种标样核苷中的腺苷、胞苷、尿苷,其含量相当,而古尼虫草发酵菌丝体中腺苷和尿苷的含量是古尼虫草子座或僵虫体的2~3倍。     

冬虫夏草研究进展

综述了近几年来我国对冬虫夏草 [Cordycepssinensis(Berk)Sacc .]的无性型鉴定、人工培养、深层发酵、化学成分分析、药理及临床应用等方面的研究进展。     

Production of mycelia and exo-biopolymer from molasses by Cordyceps sinensis 16 in submerged culture

The molecular weight of exo-biopolymer obtained from a submerged culture of Cordyceps sinensis 16 consisted of a main unit and a subunit of 126 and 68 kDa, respectively. The optimal medium for the production of mycelia and exo-biopolymer was determined to be molasses containing 2% sucrose, 0.9% yeast extract, 0.3% K2HPO4, and 0.4% CaCl2. Using optimized medium, maximum productions of mycelia and exo-biopolymer in shake-flask culture were 54.0 g/L and 28.4 g/L, respectively. This study suggests that large-scale production of mycelia and exo-biopolymer by C. sinensis 16 is possible in submerged culture.     

Biotransformation of gentiopicroside by asexual mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis

The biotransformation of gentiopicroside by asexual mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis yielded two products, one of which was proved to be a new pyridine monoterpene alkaloid. The possible mechanisms were discussed.     

冬虫夏草菌丝体γ-谷氨酰转肽酶的探测和部分性质研究

本研究首次发现冬虫夏草发酵菌丝体含有较高活力的γ-谷氨酰转肽酶（简称CSGT）,并且通过硫酸铵分级沉淀、疏水层析、凝胶过滤层析、阴离子交换层析和制备电泳的提取纯化程序,将CSGT纯化了2300倍,然后对CSGT的基本酶学性质进行了研究。CSGT的稳定pH范围和温度范围分别为pH8-11和0-20℃, 当pH 9-10 、30℃并且以L-谷氨酸-对-硝基苯胺（简称GpNA）和双甘肽为底物时CSGT的活力达到最大值。几种还原剂均能激活CSGT,说明其活性中心含有巯基。Zn2+, Cu2+, Hg2+ , Mn2+ 等金属离子均强烈抑制CSGT活性,而K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ 和Na+等对CSGT活性没有影响。     

富硒虫草的研究进展

虫草是传统名贵中药,具有抗癌、抗菌、调节免疫、降血脂、降血糖等广泛的药理作用;硒是人体必需的微量元素,具有抗癌、抗氧化、抗衰老等多种生理功能,与许多种疾病密切相关。利用虫草菌将无机硒转化为有机硒,实现虫草与硒的有机结合,研究功能更好的富硒虫草,无论作为药用、保健品还是补硒食品都具有很重要的现实意义。本文综述二十余年来富硒虫草的研究状况。     

Hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharide, with antioxidation, isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses anti-tumor, immunostimulant and antioxidant activities; however, the identities of active components have not been determined. In our previous study using antioxidant activity-guided fractionation [Li et al., 2003. A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury. Life Sci. 73, 2503-2513], a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, named CSP-1, which has strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in the ratio of 1:0.6:0.75. In the present study, we demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect of CSP-1 on normal and alloxan-diabetic mice and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The basal glucose level did not differ significantly among the normal mice. CSP-1 (at 200 and 400mg/kg body wt./day for 7 days, p.o.), however, significantly reduced the blood glucose level by 12.0+/-3.2% and 22.5+/-4.7% in normal mice, respectively (p<0.05). When administered at a dose of higher than 200mg/kg body wt. daily for 7 days, CSP-1 produced a significant drop in blood glucose level in both STZ-induced diabetic rats and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The serum insulin levels in diabetic animals were also increased by administration of CSP-1 (p<0.05). CSP-1 with hypoglycemic properties increased circulating insulin level in diabetic animals, which suggests that CSP-1 may stimulate pancreatic release of insulin and/or reduce insulin metabolism.     

青藏高原那曲地区冬虫夏草资源分布空间分析方法

冬虫夏草(Cordyceps sinensis)是分布在我国青藏高原的可再生资源,具有极其名贵的中药材价值,而目前我国冬虫夏草资源的分布区域尚不清楚。以西藏那曲地区为例,根据冬虫夏草资源分布的生境条件,结合冬虫夏草的生态特性指标,利用地理信息系统(GIS)空间分析方法对冬虫夏草的空间分布区域进行了分析。结果表明,那曲地区冬虫夏草资源主要分布于那曲的东部,分布面积约为4.93万km2,占地区总面积的12.54%。与实地调查结果比较,提出的基于GIS空间分析的冬虫夏草分布区分析方法精度较高,说明空间分析方法在冬虫夏草资源调查评价上具有一定的可行性,为今后的冬虫夏草资源调查等相关研究提供方法支持。     

五种虫草无性型菌株产腺苷类物质的分析

采用分光光度计法对虫草菌丝体中腺苷类组分的提取方法进行研究,采用薄层层析法和高效液相色谱法对虫草菌丝体中的腺嘌呤、腺苷、虫草菌素、N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷等4种物质进行定性和定量分析。结果表明,虫草菌丝体中腺苷类组分的提取方法采用蒸馏水超声波提取30min效果较好,所测5种虫草菌株都能产腺苷和腺嘌呤,在蛹草拟青霉菌株中含有虫草菌素,在粉被玛利亚霉和蝉拟青霉菌株中含有N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷,同时发现N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷的累积与培养时间有一定关系。     

人工蛹虫草不同菌株菌丝形态与其虫草素含量关系

对4个不同来源人工蛹虫草菌株进行平板试验,在培养条件相同情况下,观察比较其生长情况;对相同菌龄不同菌株菌丝体所含虫草素进行超声波提取。结果表明：峰面积与虫草素含量呈良好的线性关系,精密度高,其中菌株YJ11 3菌丝体虫草素含量最高,为0.505%,其次为菌株YJ11 1、YJ11 4,最低的是YJ11 2,仅0.097%;菌丝湿重依次为YJ11 3〉YJ11 1〉YJ11 4〉YJ11 2;不同蛹虫草菌株菌丝湿重与其虫草素含量呈正相关关系。     

以豆粕为氮源生产虫草菌丝体的研究

采用豆粕粉取代蚕蛹粉作氮源进行了虫草菌丝体的发酵试验,生产出无异臭味的虫草菌丝体,扩大了它的应用范围;对虫草菌丝体的抽提液进行超滤处理,测定了虫草多糖的含量和分子量。     

Determination of the anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis inferred from the analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S rDNA

The anamorph determination of Cordyceps sinensis remains problematic due to the lack of clear links between the sexual and conidial forms of the fungus. In this study, we applied molecular approaches to analyze the genetic variation of Cordyceps sinensis and its allies to identify the anamorph-teleomorph connection. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene of Cordyceps sinensis (teleomorph) collected from Qingzang plateau (altitude over 4000m), Tibet and several related asexual conidial forms were determined. The sequence comparison showed that Cordyceps sinensis was most closely related to Hirsutella sinensis, and was clearly divergent from Paecilomyces sinensis, Stachybotrys sp. or Tolypocladium sp.; distance values, estimated according to Kimura two-parameter models between Cordyceps sinensis and Hirsutella sinensis, were extremely low (<0.02), whereas distance values between Cordyceps sinensis and Paecilomyces sinensis, Stachybotrys sp. and Tolypocladium sp. were 0.34, 0.21 and 0.25, respectively. Taken together, Hirsutella sinensis and Cordyceps sinensis are the different stages of the life cycle stages of the same organism. Hirsutella sinensis is therefore the anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis, rather than Paecilomyces sinensis or other species. The possible reasons as to why different taxa can be obtained when culturing Cordyceps sinensis are also discussed.     

Inhibitory effect of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris on human glomerular mesangial cell proliferation induced by native LDL

Native LDL, in low concentrations, promotes proliferation of cultured human glomerular mesangial cells. LDL stimulated [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA of human glomerular mesangial cells. Increased concentrations of LDL led to increased [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. When LDL concentrations were 5, 10 and 50 microg ml(-1), [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation was 919.5+/-216, 1106+/-132, and 1200+/-210, respectively. When Cordyceps sinensis 100, 200, 300, 400 microg ml(-1) plus LDL 10 microg ml(-1) were added, [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation was 99+/-19 and 53+/-8, respectively, P<0.01 compared with controls. With Cordyceps militaris at similar concentrations plus LDL 10 microg ml(-1), [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation was respectively 192+/-75, 168+/-66, 145+/-53 and 72+/-16, P<0.01 compared with controls. The data suggest that LDL may play a critical role in mediating mesangial cell hypertrophy or proliferation involved in the development of glomerulosclerosis. Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris inhibited, to a certain degree, proliferation of cultured human glomerular mesangial cell induced by LDL.     

冬虫夏草菌侵染及寄生阶段的生长发育研究

冬虫夏草菌侵染进入寄主幼虫血体腔后,断裂形成长梭形的菌体。菌体以顶端出芽的方式增殖,分隔分化,互相质配。质配菌体生长出菌丝充满寄主幼虫血体腔,使幼虫死亡并形成僵虫形的菌核,菌核萌生子座即形成冬虫夏草。