Comparative Study on the Immune Enhancement and Anti-aging Activities between Cultivated and Wild Cordyceps sinensis / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the immune enhancement and anti-aging activities of cultivated and wild Cordyceps sinensis. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into seven groups high dose cultivated Cordyceps sinensis group, low dose cultivated Cordyceps sinensis group, high dose wild Cordyceps sinensis group, low dose wild Cordyceps sinensis group, control group, model group and positive drug group. Immunosuppression mouse model were induced by cyclophosphamide and the physical status, carbon clearance capacity, phagocytosis coefficient and lymphocyte transformation stimulation index, and ear swelling of mice were observed. The aging mice model was established by subcutaneously injecting D-galactose, and brain histology, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of mice were observed. RESULTS: Both cultivated and wild Cordyceps sinensis increased the body weight and immune organ index, and enhanced the immunity of the mice. Furthermore, both cultivated and wild Cordyceps sinensis ameliorated the pathological changes in brain histology, and enhanced the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ability of the mice. There was no obvious difference in the immune enhancement and anti-aging activities between cultivated and wild Cordyceps sinensis. CONCLUSION: Both cultivated and wild Cordyceps sinensis can improve immunity and retard the aging process. Cultivated Cordyceps sinensis can be used as the alternative choice of wild Cordyceps sinensis in clinic.