title: Constituents isolated from Cordyceps militaris suppress enhanced inflammatory mediator's production and human cancer cell proliferation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to isolate the pure compounds from the extracts of Cordyceps militaris obtained through solid-state cultivation process, and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silica gel column chromatographic purification of Cordyceps militaris extracts resulted in the isolation of 10 pure compounds (1-10). The compounds 1-10 were examined for their growth inhibitory properties against nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12 enhanced production from LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated macrophages. Additionally, the anti-proliferation effects of 1-10 on human cancer cell lines, colon (colon 205), prostate (PC-3), and hepatoma (HepG2) cells were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compound 8 displayed potent growth inhibition on NO, TNF-alpha and IL-12 production with an IC(50) value of 7.5, 6.3, and 7.6 microg/ml, respectively. A similar inhibitory trend on these inflammatory mediators was observed for 3, 7, 9 and 10 with an IC(50) values ranging from 10.8 to 17.2 microg/ml. On the other hand, compounds 3 and 8 were potent anti-proliferative agents with an IC(50) value of 35.6 and 32.6 microg/ml toward PC-3 and colon 205 cell lines, respectively. The compounds 1 and 2 showed potent anti-proliferation in PC-3 and colon 205 cells, while only 3 displayed such effect in HepG2 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides scientific supporting information for the ethnopharmacological use of Cordyceps militaris as an anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemical Sciences and Technology, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung County, Wufeng, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yerra Koteswara
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Shih-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Wen-Shi
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yew-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Tzeng
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma