Biological properties and immunotropic effects of the genus Сordyceps fungi

Authors

  • Natalia V. Ikonnikova International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, 23/1 Daŭhabrodskaya Street, Minsk 220070, Belarus
  • Maryna V. Labai International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, 23/1 Daŭhabrodskaya Street, Minsk 220070, Belarus

Keywords:

Cordyceps, biologically active compounds, β-D-glucan, сordycepin, сordycetic acid, immunomodulating activity, interleukins, Т-cells, NK-cells

Abstract

The possible mechanisms of biological activity and immunotropic potencies of the genus Cordyceps fungi are analyzed. The characteristic of the development cycle and the ecology of these fungi are presented. The biological effect of Cordyceps is determined, first of all, by immunomodulating polysaccharides, activating immune cells, increasing the production of cytokines and interferon. It has been shown that preparations based on the fungus mycelium of Cordyceps also have antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral activity.

Author Biographies

  • Natalia V. Ikonnikova, International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, 23/1 Daŭhabrodskaya Street, Minsk 220070, Belarus

    PhD (biology), associate professor at the department of immunology and environmental epidemiology

  • Maryna V. Labai, International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, 23/1 Daŭhabrodskaya Street, Minsk 220070, Belarus

    lecturer at the department of immunology and environ-mental epidemiology

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Published

2019-08-16

Issue

No. 2 (2019): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Ecology

Section

Medical Ecology

How to Cite

[1]
Ikonnikova, N.V. and Labai, M.V. 2019. Biological properties and immunotropic effects of the genus Сordyceps fungi. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Ecology. 2 (Aug. 2019), 68–76.