title: Anti-influenza effect of Cordyceps militaris through immunomodulation in a DBA/2 mouse model.
abstract: The immune-modulatory as well as anti-influenza effects of Cordyceps extract were investigated using a DBA/2 mouse model. Three different concentrations of Cordyceps extract, red ginseng extract, or drinking water were orally administered to mice for seven days, and then the mice were intranasally infected with 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus. Body weight changes and survival rate were measured daily post-infection. Plasma IL-12, TNF-α, and the frequency of natural killer (NK) cells were measured on day 4 post-infection. The DBA/2 strain was highly susceptible to H1N1 virus infection. We also found that Cordyceps extract had an anti-influenza effect that was associated with stable body weight and reduced mortality. The anti-viral effect of Cordyceps extract on influenza infection was mediated presumably by increased IL-12 expression and greater number of NK cells. However, high TNF-α expression after infection of H1N1 virus in mice not receiving treatment with Cordyceps extract suggested a two-sided effect of the extract on host immune regulation.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, 132-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hwan Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Heejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Gi-Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Kanghyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Taeho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ilseob
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Man-seong
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Yu Su
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hyojeung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hyosun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D060766:Drinking Water; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D065588:Nasal Absorption; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D060766:Drinking Water; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12