[#1999-01] Medicinal Effect and Utilization of Cordyceps (Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes) and lsaria Fr. (Mitosporic Fungi) Chinese Caterpillar Fungi, “Tochukaso” (Review)*, Takashi Mizuno

Chinese Caterpillar Fungi, “Tochukaso” (Review)*

Takashi Mizuno

Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Japan

ABSTRACT: Cordiceps (Fr.) Link species (Tochukaso in Japanese, Chinese caterpillar fungi) are a parasite on ci­cada larvae that forms its scleotium in the insect larvae. At present, the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps species are not cultivated or cultured. However, cultivation of mycelia of this species that is, C. sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., C. sobole­fera (Hill.) Berk. et Br., C. militaris (L.: Fr.) Link, and Isaria japonica Lloyd, etc., becomes relatively easy. Anti­tumor polysaccharides, galactomannan CI-P and CI-A, were isolated from C. cicadae Shing (Chinese Semitake) parasitic fungus on the larva of Cicada flammata Dist. On the other hand, a remarkable antitumor active β-(1–>3)- D-glucan CO-1 and galactosaminoglycan CO-N were isolated from C. ophioglossoides (Ehrh.) Fr. Hanayasuritake. Antitumor polysaccharides such as galactomannan and β-(1–>3)-D-glucan were isolated from the insect part and fruit body of C. cicadae. These polysaccharides were shown to have hypoglycemic activity. D-Mannitol, which is a sugar alcohol contained in many plants including fungi and marine algae, was isolated from Cordyceps species. It is said that sugar alcohol and trehalose help to moisten cells and exert cosmetic effects. The cultured hypha ex­tract of Cordyceps species was orally administered and found to produce antifatigue and motor function improv­ing effects.