Table 3.

Summary of markers currently used for quality control of Cordyceps and associated activities (after Li et al., 2006a)

Compound type	Pharmacological activities	Comments
Nucleosides	Anti-tumour activities; Ca2+ antagonist; the release of various neurotransmitters presynaptically and anticonvulsant activity; stimulate axon growth in vitro and in the adult central nerve system	Nucleosides, especially adenosine, are usually used as markers, and the profiles can be applied for authentication of Cordyceps
Polysaccharides	Anti-oxidation, immunopotentiation, anti-tumour, and hypoglycemic activity; anti-inflammatory activity and suppress the humoral immunity in mice	Represents the most biological properties of Cordyceps, and less used as marker for quality control. Thus, it should be developed
Ergosterol and its analogs	Cytotoxic activity, anti-viral activity, and anti-arrhythmia effect; suppress the activated human mesangial cells and alleviate immunoglobulin A nephropathy (Berger’s disease)	Ergosterol can be used as marker for quality control
Mannitol	Diuretic, anti-tussive and anti-free radical activities	It sometimes is used as marker for quality control
Peptides	Anti-tumour and immunopotentiation activities	A potential marker for quality control