Review on Research Progress and Prospects of Cicada Flower, Isaria cicadae (Ascomycetes).

Cicada flower, Isaria cicadae Miq., has been a traditional Chinese medicine for approximately 1600 years. Many works on its identification, bioactivities, and clinical use against some disorders have been published, but some inaccuracies and inconsistencies need to be further clarified. In combination with our > 20 years of research and application of cicada flower and examination of the literature and patents published in recent years, this article summarizes and reviews the life cycle and taxonomy, genome size and mating type, molecular systematic classification and cultivation, active ingredients, and pharmacological functions of I. cicadae.

Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Constituents of Artificial Culture of Ophiocordyceps longissima (Ascomycetes).

In this study, the compositions of Ophiocordyceps longissima mycelia, synnemata, and fruiting bodies were first analyzed in order to clarify its chemical basis for development as a health food or medicine. We found that the contents of crude protein, polysaccharides, and macroelements were highest in mycelia, whereas effective components, including mannitol, ergosterol, adenosine, inosine, Zn, and Se, were lowest in mycelia. Polysaccharide, mannitol, and ergosterol levels in synnemata (2.33, 4.54, and 0.66 g/100 g, respectively) were similar to those in fruiting bodies, but was significantly different from those of mycelia (4.79, 1.77, and 0.43 g/100 g). Trehalose content in fruiting bodies (2.15 g/100 g) was >4 times higher than that in synnemata (0.5 g/100 g). Adenosine content in fruiting bodies (0.024 g/100 g) was 3-4 times higher than that of synnemata, whereas inosine, cytosine, guanosine, and uridine (0.093, 0.145, 0.053, and 0.073 g/100 g) were highest in synnemata. Cu and Se were lower in mycelia (3.30 × 10⁻4 and 3.1 × 10⁻5 g/100 g) than in synnemata (1.85 × 10⁻³ and 7.2 × 10⁻5 g/100 g) and fruiting bodies (1.67 × 10⁻³ and 4.3 × 10⁻5 g/100 g). As, Hg, Cd, and Pb in mycelia were under the limit of edible fungus health standard; Pb was not found, but Cd, Hg, and As were detected in fruiting bodies. These findings suggest that O. longissima could be utilized in different culture methods according to market demand and might be a possible health food or medicinal resource.

Long-term preservation, regeneration, and cultivation of Paecilomyces tenuipes (Peck) Samson (Ascomycetes), an entomopathogenic fungus inoculated into the silkworm larva of Bombyx mori.

Paecilomyces tenuipes reportedly have anticancer and immune activities, along with various other medicinal uses. Cultured products with P. tenuipes are certified for use in food in South Korea, and processed goods containing this fungus have been developed in many countries, particularly South Korea, Japan, and China. Research on mass production technology-procured raw materials for the manufacture of P. tenuipes is very important; however, cultures of the fungus have been unstable. This study identified stable cultivation conditions, focusing on growth inhibition and revitalization. Moisture regulation and preservation of pupae inoculated with P. tenuipes were used to control growth inhibition and revitalization. When inoculated silkworm pupae were dehydrated to 4% moisture and preserved freeze-dried or at -70 degrees C, -20 degrees C, or 4 degrees C, the mycelia in their bodies were able to survive for 14 d. Inoculated silkworm pupae were rehydrated for 3 h and the mycelia within their bodies were recovered at 94.3-96.3%. Silkworm pupae at 4% moisture were able to survive for 135 d at temperatures < 4 degrees C and for 1 y after freeze-drying. Optimal conditions for synnemata induction were 25 degrees C and 100-300 1x.

Anti-tumor Effects of Exo- and Endo-biopolymers Produced from Submerged Cultures of Three Different Mushrooms.

The anti-tumor effects of exo- (EX) and endo-biopolymers (EN) produced from submerged mycelial cultures of Ganoderma applanatum (GA), Collybia confluens (CC), and Pleurotus eryngii (PE) were studied using Sarcoma 180 bearing mice. Solid tumor growth was inhibited most effectively when 40 mg/kg body weight (BW) of GA-EX or PE-EN was administered to the intraperitoneal (i.p.) cavity of BALB/c mice. The spleen and liver indexes were increased in mice following i.p. administration of GA-EX and PE-EN fractions. GA-EX and PE-EN reduced the tumor formation by 30.7% and 29.4%, respectively. GA-EX and PE-EN increased the natural killer (NK) cell activity of splenocytes by 41.3% and 28.9%, respectively.