A review on unravelling the medicinal properties of magical mushrooms: Cordyceps militaris

Nowadays, the public and the scientific communities are choosing and looking for natural remedies as an alternative to the elaborate chemically synthesised drugs. As a result, due to its immunostimulatory potential, Cordyceps genus has grabbed attention from the scientific community in recent years. Various in vivo and in vitro investigations on the endo-parasitic fungi have shown its tremendous pharmaceutical potential owing to the various bioactive constituents. Pre-clinical studies have revealed its activities like anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, vasorelaxation, antihyperlipidemic, anticholesterolemic, hypotensive, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, kidney protection and aphrodisiac. Moreover, Cordyceps species are also related with stimulation of the immune system- stimulating inflammatory response mediated via mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, stimulation of phagocytosis, and cytokine production such as interleukins (IL)-10, IL-12, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) etc. In the present review, we discuss the various bioactive compounds of the fungi such as nucleosides, alkaloids, flavonoids and their therapeutic potential. We also highlight its culturing methods and its current status in the global market.