Discovery of the chemical constituents, structural characteristics, and pharmacological functions of Chinese caterpillar fungus

Abstract: Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for several decades. It is essential to clarify the product composition, structural characteristics, and pharmacological functions of caterpillar fungus. In this review, we comprehensively and systematically summarized the various bioactive components isolated from caterpillar fungus, including nucleosides, d-mannitol, sterols, flavonoids, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, peptides, amides, proximate, and mineral composition. Meanwhile, peptides, nucleosides, and polysaccharides serve as the main active components in this genus, which possess immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-malaria, and antifungal activities. Consequently, the active components of caterpillar fungus demonstrate a vital source of treatment for various diseases and can be used as possible leads for drug discovery. This article reviews the composition and pharmacological action of caterpillar fungus, which is the key to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of caterpillar fungus, and will be of interest for future research.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Discovery of the chemical constituents, structural characteristics, and pharmacological functions of Chinese caterpillar fungus ; volume:21 ; number:1 ; year:2023 ; extent:15 ; Open chemistry ; 21, Heft 1 (2023) (gesamt 15)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Xu, Chunhua ; Wu, Fenfang ; Zou, Zhicheng ; Mao, Longyi ; Lin, Shan

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0337
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023053114125899330294
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:47 AM CEST