Experimental Study On Acute Toxicological And Immunological Effects Of Cordyceps Militaris

Silkworm Chrysalis Cordyceps is a kind of new resource food with potential efficacy,which is rich in a variety of active substances.The culturation of silkworm Cordyceps militaris with living silkworm pupa,such as Bombyx Mori and Antheraea yamamai,is the closest cultivation mode to Cordyceps sinensis,which has the characteristics of close cultivation mode(in vivo cultivation),controllable cultivation environment(bionic cultivation),and similar morphology(pedigree and fruiting body).Cordyceps militaris is considered as a substitute for Cordyceps sinensis due to its similar active ingredients and pharmacological effects.In our research,to evaluate the edible safety of Cordyceps militaris and its influence on the immune system of mice,YCCZ1 strain was inoculated into the living silkworm pupae,and the active ingredients were cultured artificially.Acute toxicological tests were carried out in mice following the National Health Food Standards,and the effects of mice feeding and immune system were tested,which provided a theoretical support for the edible development and utilization of Cordyceps militaris.The results are as follows:1.After inoculated YCCZ1 Cordyceps militaris strain,living silkworm pupa began to stiffen in about 7 days,turned yellow in 12 days,and primordium emerged in 15 days.The fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris was more than 5 cm after 40 days.The fruiting body contained polysaccharide 28.03 mg/g,cordycepin 1.16 mg/g,ergosterol 8.12 mg/g,cordycepin 2.06 mg/g,adenosine 3.43 mg/g.The contents of cordycepin and adenosine were significantly higher than those in other media,e.g.rice and wheat.2.In acute toxicological tests,according to the national standard of health food,mice were gavaged with Cordyceps militaris with the dosage of 15g/kg body weight and 7.5g/kg body weight.The results showed that:(1)14 days after gavage,mice had normal vital signs,normal urine and stool,no abnormal overall performance,no growth stagnation and other phenomena.No adverse effects of Cordyceps militaris on mice were observed in terms of external signs and body weight changes;(2)In vivo anatomical observation,no tumors and other abnormalities were found in the heart,thymus,liver and kidney of mice,and no other abnormalities were found in mice;(3)Blood test results showed that white blood cells in the experimental group of Cordyceps militaris were fed orally.Number,lymphocyte,monocyte,erythrocyte and hemoglobin were all in the normal range;(4)The liver and kidney function tests showed that there was no significant difference in liver and kidney function between the experimental group and the control group.3.Referring to Technical Specification for Inspection and Evaluation of Health Food(2003 edition),mice were fed with Cordyceps militaris powder at the dosage of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg respectively.The results showed that the carbon clearance index,spleen lymphocyte transformation index and NK cell activity of mice in the experimental group were all improved,but the content of serum hemolysin was decreased and delayed allergy was slowed down.The results showed that the main components of Cordyceps militaris cultured in this experiment were similar to those reported in other reports,and the content was in the normal range.No toxic reaction was observed in the samples of Cordyceps militaris culturing in mice after regular and quantitative feeding.Therefore,Cordyceps militaris belongs to the actual non-toxic grade in toxicity classification under the experimental dosage.It can effectively regulate the immune system of mice,and promote non-specific immunity significantly.It has a general effect on cellular immunity.