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Cordyceps
sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., belonging to the family Clavicipitacea,
is a naturally growing bio-material popular as a herbal
medicine in Nepal and highly valued in Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) and traditional medicinal practices in
various Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, India,
Thailand, Hong Kong for its medicinal value. It is popularly
known as "Yarsagumba" and also as "Jeeban
Buti" in Nepal. Because of its significant health
benefits and its rarity, Yarchagumba, is a very expensive
herb. |
The
name Cordyceps comes from the Latin words: cord and
ceps, meaning "club" and "head",
respectively. The Latin conjugation accurately describes
the appearance of the club fungus, Cordyceps sinensis,
whose stroma or fruitbody extend from the mummified
carcasses of insect larvae, usually caterpillar larva
of the Himalayan Bat Moth, Hepialis armoricanus. |
The
fruitbody of the Cordyceps sinensis mushroom originates
at its base on an insect larval host (usually the larva
of the Himalayan bat moth, Hepialis armoricanus) and
ends at the club-like cap, including the stipe and stroma.
The fruitbody is dark brown to black; and the ‘root’
of the organism, the larval body pervaded by the mushroom's
mycelium, appears yellowish to brown in color. The immature
larvae, which forms the host upon which the Cordyceps
grows, usually lives about 6 inches below ground. The
infesting spores of the Cordyceps, which are thought
by some mycologists to be the infectious agent for the
insect, are ca. 5-10 um long. As the fungus approaches
maturity, it will have consumed greater than 99 % of
the infested organism, effectively mummifying the host.
As the stroma matures, it will swell and develop perihelia.
The mycelium is formed and the body of the larva becomes
sclerotuid to withstand the winter. As the sclerotuim
develops, the inner organs of the larva are destroyed,
leaving the exo-skeleton intact. Optimal conditions
permitting; the spores are eventually discharged and
taken by the wind or fall within a few centimeters of
their origin. |
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| DISTRIBUTION |
It
is distributed in the sub-alpine and alpine region (between
3000 and 5000 m altitude) throughout the Himalayan regions
of Nepal and neighbouring countries. Dolpa district
in Nepal is one of the major sources of Cordyceps sinensis.
Other important districts are Darchula, Gajhang, Mugu,
Jumla, and Rasuwa. |
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| HARVESTING
SEASON |
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The
harvesting period of Cordyceps sinensis is between the
months of May and July. |
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Cordyceps
sinensis is one of the most valuable medicinal herbs
in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, this
herb has an extensive history of use in the treatment
of mental and physical exhaustion and is often used
as a rejuvenative for increased energy while recovering
from serious illness. It is also known to be used regularly
in treatment of patients with leukemia, heart, liver
and kidney problems. Additionally, it is known to strengthen
the immune system and is used as treatment against respiratory
ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, cough and lung
infections. It is believed to be highly effective against
impotence and is extensively used in China as an aphrodisiac.
It is also known to relieve pain and be effective in
the treatment of arthritis, spasms and cramps. It is
believed that the herb is known to help reduce cholesterol
levels in the body and assists in digestion and to improve
appetite. |
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Anti-bacterial
(resistant to tuberculosis, pneumococcus, staphylococcus,
streptococcus, streptococcus pnumoniae, and subtilis
bacilli), Anti-asthmatic, Anti-cancer (inhibits growth
of human naso-pharyngeal tumor cells), Anti-fungal,
Anti-hypertensive, Anti-spasmodic, Adaptogenic, Adreno-tonic,
Immunomodulatory, Hematopoietic, Soporific
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| PRINCIPAL
CONSTITUENTS |
Scientific
analysis conducted in laboratory settings have shown
Cordyceps sinensis to contain the following major constituents:
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Proteins,
peptides, all essential amino acids, and polyamines.
In addition to all the essential and non-essential amino
acids such as phenylalanine, proline, histidine, valine,
oxyvaline, arginine, glutamic acid, Cordyceps contains
uncommon cyclic dipeptides including cyclo-(Gly-Pro),
cyclo-(Leu-Pro), cyclo-(Val-Pro), cyclo-(Ala-Leu), cyclo-(Ala-Val),
and cyclo-(Thr-Leu). Small amounts of polyamines, including
1,3-diamino propane, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine,
and putrescine, have been identified. |
Polysaccharides
and sugar derivatives were identified and their pharmacological
activity has been reported. A group of oligosaccharides
and polysaccharides isolated from natural Cordyceps
stimulate macrophage function, and promote lymphocyte
transformation. A bioactive 23-kd-protein-bound polysaccharide
was shown to consist mainly of mannose and galactose
in a ratio of 3 to 5, and protein. |
Sterols,
including ergosterol, Delta-3 ergosterol, ergosterol
peroxide, 3-sitosterol, daucosterol, and campasterol. |
Eleven
nucleoside compounds have been found in natural Cordyceps.
The major nucleosides in Cordyceps sinensis include
adenine, uracil, uridine, guanosine, thymidine, and
deoxyuridine. |
Cordycepic
acid, cordycepin, fatty, acids and other organic acids.
Twenty-eight saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and
their derivatives have been isolated from Cordyceps
sinensis. Polar compounds of natural Cordyceps extracts
include many compounds of hydrocarbons, alcohol, and
aldehyde. |
Vitamins,
including vitamins Bi, B2, B12, E, and K. |
Inorganics,
including K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pi, Se, Al,
Si, Ni, Sr, Ti, Cr, Ga, V, and Zr. |
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Cordyceps
sinensis is a also a herb of nutritional value as it
contains all of the essential amino acids, vitamin B
1 , B 2 , B 12 , E and K besides a wide range of sugars,
including mono-die- and oligosaccharides and may different
polysaccharides, protein, sterols, and wide range of
micronutrients. |
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| Articles
for download: |
| Zhu,
J.S., Halpern, G.M., and Jones, K. The Scientific
Rediscovery of an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine: Cordyceps
sinensis. Part I. Journal of Alternative
and Complementary Medicine (pdf file, 252kb) |
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| BIBLIOGRAPHY |
1.
Zhu, J.S., Halpern, G.M., and Jones, K. (1998): The
Scientific Rediscovery of an Ancient Chinese Herbal
Medicine: Cordyceps sinensis. Part I. Journal of Alternative
and Complementary Medicine 4(3), pp 289-303. |
2.
Wang, S. and Shiao, M.S. (2000): Pharmacological functions
of Chinese Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps sinensis and related
species Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, vol. 8, No.
4, 248-257. |
3.
Mizuno T. (1999): Medicinal effects and utilization
of Cordyceps (Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes) and Isaria Fr.
(Mitosporic Fungi) Chinese Caterpillar Fungi, “Tochukaso”
(Review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
1 (3), pp 251-261. |
4.
Holliday, J. and Cleaver, M. (June 2004): On the Trail
of the Yak, Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World. |
5. Xie, Z., Huang, X., Lou, Z., Li, S., Zhou, L., Yuan,
S., Yang, Z., Tang, Z. (1988): Dictionary of Traditional
Chinese Medicine. The Commercial Press Ltd., Hong Kong.
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6.
Ma, K.W., Chall, F.T. and Wu, J.Y. (2004): Analysis
of the Nucleoside Content of Cordyceps sinensis Using
the stepwise Gradient Elution Technique of Thin-Lager
Chromatography. Chinese Journal of Chemistry, pp 22,
85-91. |
7.
Manabe, N., Sugimoto, M., Azuma, Y., Taketomo, No.,
Yamashita, A., Tsuboi, H., Tsunoo, A., Kinjo N., Nian-Lai,
H., Miyamoto, H. (1996): Effects of the Mycelial Extract
of Cultured Cordyceps Sinensis on In Vivo Hepatic Energy
Metabolism in Mice. Department of Animal Science, Kyoto
University. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. |
8.
Chatterjee R. Srinivasan KS , Maiti PC. (1957): Cordyceps
sinensis: Structure of cordycepic acid. J. Am. Pharm.
Assoc. 46:114-118. |
9.
Shrestha, R. and Bhandary, H. (1997): Study on Exploitation
of Cordyceps sinensis. Research Center for Applied Science
and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu,
Nepal. |
10.
Adhikary, M.K. (2000): Mushrooms of Nepal (ed. Prof.
Dr. Durrieu, G.), pp 152-153, 189-190. |
11.
Medicinal Plants of Nepal (1993): H.M.G. of Nepal Ministry
of Forests and Soil Conservation, Department of Medicinal
Plants, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, p 116. |
12.
IUCN Nepal (2000):National Register of Medicinal Plants.
Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal. p 158. |
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