Table 1.
List of bioactive components present in Cordyceps with their biological activities and implication in therapeutics.
| Bioactive Component | Biological Activity/Therapeutic Effect | References |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleosides | ||
| Cordycepin | Antitumor, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, inhibit platelet aggregation, hypolipidemic, analgesic, immunomodulatory | [15,30,31,32] |
| Adenosine | Anticonvulsant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tumor | [15,29,33] |
| Polysaccharides | ||
| Exopolysaccharide Fraction (EPSF) | Anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulatory | [15,33,34] |
| Acid polysaccharides (APS) | Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory effect | [33] |
| CPS-1 | Antioxidant | [15,33] |
| CPS-2 | Cell proliferation inhibition | [33] |
| Mannoglucan | Cytotoxicity activity | [34] |
| CME-1 | Antioxidant | [33] |
| PS-A | Inhibitory activity against cholesterol esterase | [34,35] |
| Cordyglucan | Anti-tumor | [33] |
| D-mannitol or Cordycepic acid | Diuretic, anti-tussive and anti-free radical activities | [2,29,31] |
| Sterols | ||
| Ergosterol | Antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-arrhythmic effects, Helps in bone development | [2,30,31,36] |
| β-Sitosterol | Protect from breast, colon and prostate cancer | [34,36] |
| H1-A | Immunoregulation | [33] |
| Proteins, Amino acids and Polypeptides | ||
| CSDNase | DNA hydrolysis, nucleolytic properties | [33] |
| CSP | Fibrinolytic activity | [33,34] |
| Cordymin | Anti-diabetic effect, antifungal | [22,33,37] |
| Cordycedipeptide A | Cytotoxic activity | [33,38] |
| Cordyceamides A and B | Cytotoxic activity | [34,38] |
| Tryptophan | Serves as precursor for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter’s serotonin and tryptamine | [33,39] |
| Others | ||
| Xanthophylls | Anticancer | [30,31] |
| Fibrnolytic enzyme | Treatment of thrombosis | [30,31] |
| Proteoglucans | Enhanced anticancer effect on bladder cancer cells | [28,40] |
| Phenolic compounds | Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-arthritic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-hypertensive, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic | [28,41] |
| N-acetylgalactosamine | Necessary for intercellular communication | [22,42] |
| Exopolysaccharides | Nutraceutical, pharmaceutical | [22,43] |
| Chitinase, macrolides, cicadapeptins, myriocin, superoxide dismutase, protease, napthaquinone, cordyheptapeptide and dipicolinic acid | - | [22] |
| Vitamins | ||
| B1 | Essential in neurologic activities | [22,44] |
| B2 | Helps in energy production | [22,44] |
| B12 | Help in cellular metabolism, DNA synthesis, methylation and mitochondrial metabolism | [16,45,46] |
| E | Antioxidant, Help in formation of blood cells, muscles, lung and nerve tissues, Increase immunity | [16,44,45] |
| K | Essential for blood clotting | [22,44] |