Cordyceps Gunnii Educational Role Of Its Active Substances Related Research

Objective: General objective: To determine the function that the Cordyceps gunnii Berk (CB) can enhance the learning and memorial ability, and its relationship with the biological active substances originating from CB. Specific objectives: 1.To assess the influence of the various CB extracts on the improvement of the learning and memorial ability; 2. To confirm the function of the biological substances from CB--polysaccharides and flavones—on the enhancement in the learning and memoy; 3.To explore the mechanism of the cordyceps polysaccharides and flavones in improving the learning and memorial ability; 4.To determine the physicochemical properties and optimum extraction conditions of polysaccharides and fiavonoids in CB.Design: Cordeyceps g. was extracted by 30% ethnol or petroleum either to obtain the water- or lipid-soluble extracts, respectively. By the employment of experimentation of animal models—memory consolidated barrier model and memory reappearance barrier model, the substances that could enhance the learning and memory were to be determined if water-soluble or lipid-soluble. After the water-soluble extract was proved to have the ability to enhance learning and memory, polysaccharides and flavones were selectively extracted in order to further confirm their role. Kunming mice used to the experiments were randomly divided into groups and constructed the sodium nitrite-enthnol memory consolidated and reappearance model. The memory behavior (latency periods and error rate) of mice were measured by using diving platform and dark evading apparatus after stomach filling. The physiological and biochemical (protein, SOD and MDA) and pathological indexes (pathology slice, HE and Nissl's staining) of the brains of tested mice were also measured. Compare the changes of those parameters before and after the administration of water-soluble cordecyps extract, the mechanism of related biological active substances to enhance learning and memory in mice was ascertained. The optimum extraction condition of polysaccharides and flavones of Cordecyps g. was chosen by using the orthogonal design to select from microwave, ultrasonic and conventional extraction technologies. The physicochemical property of related substances was determined through the way of GC, HPLC, IR and UV analysis.Outcomes: 1) Error rates and latency periods of Kunming mice fed water-soluble extract, polysaccharides and fiavonoids extracted from C. gunii were significantly (p<0.05) reduced when respectively compared to the control and model groups. 2) The brain protein and SOD content of mice fed polysaccharides and fiavonoids were higher while MDA lower than those of the model groups. The amounts of brain nerve cells of the test groups were apparently higher than that of the model groups. Furthermore, it was observed the regression, recession and necrosis phenomena happened to cortical and hippocampal nerve cells in mice from the model groups. 3). In comparison to the three different extraction methods (microwave, ultrasonic and conventional extraction), it was found that the ultrasonic extraction was the most effective way to extract polysaccharides and flavoids from CB. By using Gas Chromatography, it turned out that polysaccharides of CB was a mixed-amylose that consisted of Arabinose, Xylose, Galactose and an unknown monose, while flavonoids probably was made up of isofiavones or flavanones.Conclusions: Water-soluble extract, polysaccharides and flavonoids derived from C. gunnii. not only enhance the learning and memory of Kunming mice, but also reduce the rate of cortical and hippocampal cell apoptosis, ameliorate blood supply, improve protein and SOD contents while lower MDA in the brain. It is believed that such function has been associated with anti-oxidative activities of various extracts fed to the animals. The study shows cordyceps polysaccharides and flavonoids have the similarity in improving mice's learning and memory as Naofukang, which further proves the function that C. gunnii can enhance the learning and memory ability associated with its biological active substances. It is determined that the polysaccharides of C. gunnii are a mixed-amylose and the composites of C. gunnii probably consist of isofiavones or flavanones. At last, the optimal extraction conditions of the polysaccharides and flavonoids are ascertained.