title: In vitro Stimulation of NK Cells and Lymphocytes Using an Extract Prepared from Mycelial Culture of Ophiocordyceps sinensis.
abstract: Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a natural fungus that has been valued as a health food and used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The fungus is parasitic and colonizes insect larva. Naturally occurring O. sinensis thrives at high altitude in cold and grassy alpine meadows on the Himalayan mountain ranges. Wild Ophiocordyceps is becoming increasingly rare in its natural habitat, and its price limits its use in clinical practice. Therefore, the development of a standardized alternative is a great focus of research to allow the use of Ophiocordyceps as a medicine. To develop an alternative for wild Ophiocordyceps, a refined standardized extract, CBG-CS-2, was produced by artificial fermentation and extraction of the mycelial strain Paecilomyces hepiali CBG-CS-1, which originated from wild O. sinensis. In this study, we analyzed the in vitro immune-modulating effect of CBG-CS-2 on natural killer cells and B and T lymphocytes. CBG-CS-2 stimulated splenocyte proliferation and enhanced Th1-type cytokine expression in the mouse splenocytes. Importantly, in vitro CBG-CS-2 treatment enhanced the killing activity of the NK-92MI natural killer cell line. These results indicate that the mycelial culture extract prepared from Ophiocordyceps exhibits immune-modulating activity, as was observed in vivo and this suggests its possible use in the treatment of diseases caused by abnormal immune function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioactive Materials and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Jisang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Chebigen Inc., Jeonju 54853, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54896, Korea.; Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Ok
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: So
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Claims & Management Inc., Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Chan
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Chebigen Inc., Jeonju 54853, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Sig
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.; Department of Bioactive Materials and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Jang
keywords: Immune modulation; Mycelial extract; NK cell; O. sinensis