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Host insect species of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: a review

Xiao-Liang Wang, +1 more
- 09 Aug 2011 - 
- Vol. 127, Iss: 127, pp 43-59
TLDR
Ninety-one insect names, spanning 13 genera, related to host insects of Ophiocordyceps sinensis are investigated and three are invalid and require further study.
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (≡ Cordyceps sinensis) is one of the most valued medicinal fungi in China, used for its invigorating effects in strengthening the body and restoring energy. The fungus parasitizes larvae of moths and converts them into sclerotia from which the fungus fruiting body grows. Since the late 1950s, considerable effort has been devoted to the study of host insects related to the fungus. In the present paper, the research history of insect species associated with Ophiocordyceps sinensis is briefly reviewed and an extensive literature survey is presented. Ninety-one insect names, spanning 13 genera, related to host insects of Ophiocordyceps sinensis are investigated. The relationships between the reported insect species and Ophiocordyceps sinensis are analyzed. Fifty-seven of these are considered as recognizable potential host species of the fungus distributed throughout the Tibetan Plateau, whilst eight are considered as indeterminate hosts and 26 as non-hosts. Among the names of recognizable potential host insects, three are invalid (nomen nudum) and require further study. This work provides basic information for management of the insect resources and for the conservation and sustainable use of Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to Cordycepin

TL;DR: The article also reviews the current efforts to delineate the mechanism of action of Cordycepin in various bio-molecular processes and will certainly draw the attention of scientific community to improve the bioactivity and production of CordYcepin for its commercial use in pharmacological and medical fields.
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The complete mitochondrial genomes of two ghost moths, Thitarodes renzhiensis and Thitarodes yunnanensis: the ancestral gene arrangement in Lepidoptera.

TL;DR: Characterization of the two ghost moth mitogenomes has enriched the knowledge of Lepidoptera mitagenomes and contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying mitogenome evolution, especially gene rearrangements.
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Transforming insect biomass into consumer wellness foods: A review

TL;DR: This review explores the potential of entomophagy in an integrated global food network and focuses on practical approaches for transforming insect biomass into consumer food products.
Journal ArticleDOI

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the flagship fungus of China: terminology, life strategy and ecology

TL;DR: A standard nomenclature is proposed and recommended in this paper for a comprehensive understanding of the terms related to Cordyceps sensu lato and O. sinensis, and it is believed that the biological secrets of O. Sinensis will be unravelled gradually, and the sustainable development and utilization of this traditional medicine will be fully achieved in the future.
Journal ArticleDOI

Cordyceps collected from Bhutan, an appropriate alternative of Cordyceps sinensis.

TL;DR: Data suggest that Cordyceps from Bhutan is a rational alternative of natural C. sinensis, which is beneficial for the improvement of their performance in health and medicinal food areas.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Phylogenetic classification of Cordyceps and the clavicipitaceous fungi

TL;DR: Most diagnostic characters used in current classifications of Cordyceps were not supported as being phylogenetically informative; the characters that were most consistent with the phylogeny were texture, pigmentation and morphology of stromata.
Journal ArticleDOI

In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts from natural and cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis.

TL;DR: Both the extracts from cultured and natural mycelia have direct and potent antioxidant activities and that the cultured mycelian fungus could be used for the antioxidant activity to reduce the human demands on the natural resources of the fungus, an endangered species.
Journal ArticleDOI

Hypocholesterolemic effect of hot-water extract from mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis

TL;DR: The results indicate that HW in rats administered a cholesterol-enriched diet decreased the plasma cholesterol level, and the changes in HDL- and VLDL+LDL-cholesterol levels consequently decreased the atherogenic value.
Journal ArticleDOI

Antiaging effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that CSE can improve the brain function and antioxidative enzyme activity in mice with d‐galactose‐induced senescence and promote sexual function in castrated rats.
Journal ArticleDOI

A survey of the geographic distribution of Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

TL;DR: Distribution of O. sinensis at the county level is clarified in this work based on both a literature search and fieldwork, which shows that the fungus is confined to the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions.
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