Abstract:

Purpose: To comparatively analyze active components in Cordyceps militaris from different sources and
investigate the effects of Cordyceps militaris from different sources on the immune function of mice. Methods: High
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the contents of cordycepin and adenosine in four kinds
of Cordyceps militaris, and their immune-regulatory effects on mice were evaluated by carbon clearance rate, immune organ
indexes and proliferation capacity of spleen lymphocytes. Results: Silkworm chrysalis Cordyceps militaris, wheat Cordyceps
militaris, rice Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps capitata contained 3.68, 2.86, 2.63 and 0.95 mg/g cordycepin, and 1.11,
0.79, 0.64 and 0.094 mg/g adenosine, respectively. Based on the results of carbon clearance rate, proliferation capacity of
spleen lymphocytes and immune organ indexes, all the four kinds of Cordyceps militaris could increase the immune function
of mice when compared with the control group. Meanwhile, silkworm chrysalis Cordyceps militaris and wheat Cordyceps
militaris were much better in improving the immune function than those from two other sources. Conclusions: The contents
of cordycepin and adenosine were significantly different among Cordyceps militaris from different sources, and Cordyceps
militaris from silkworm chrysalis and wheat had higher contents of cordycepin and adenosine, and exerted more potent
immune-regulatory effects on mice.

Key words: Cordyceps militaris, different sources, cordycepin, adenosine, immune function