Ophiocordyceps sinensis, The Himalayan Elixir

The caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) is one of the entomogenous Ascomycetes and parasitizes the larvae of Lepidoptera to form the well-known traditional Tibetan medicine “yartsa gunbu” or, in traditional Chinese medicine, “DongChongXiaCao (冬蟲夏草 Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo)”(“winter worm-summer grass,”). It is a well-described remedy that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 700 years. The wild fungus, which possesses a plant-like fruiting body and originates from dead caterpillar that fill with mycelia, has generally been called C. sinensis or Cordyceps spp. (“ChongCao” in Chinese) due to its insect-shape appearance. O. sinensis (previously named C. sinensis) is a slow-growing fungus and needs to be grown at a comparatively low temperature, i.e., below 21°C. Both temperature and growth rate are crucial factors that identify O. sinensis from other similar fungi¹.

The Himalayan elixir, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, best known for its medicinal property is an entomopathogenic fungus that parasitizes on insect larvae within the family Hepialidae ². The fungus is endemic to alpine regions of Tibetan Plateau including the adjoining high-altitude areas of the Central and Eastern Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan and the Indian states of Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Himanchal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh). Ophiocordyceps sinensis is found mostly in Dolpa, Darchula, Jumla, Bajura, Kalikot, Mugu, Humla, Rukum, Bajhang, Manang, Mustang, Gorkha, Lamjung, Dhading, Rasuwa, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, and Taplejung districts of Nepal³. Due to its high medicinal value and rarity in the wild, it has come to be referred as the gold rush of Nepal.

The scientific name O. sinensis refers to the sexual stage including stalked fruiting-body whereas the asexual mycelium culture is termed as Hirsutella sinensis ². The fungal invasion in host larva and its growth occur in late summer, and its growth eventually leads to replacement of internal organs leading to formation of thickened fungal tissue known as endosclerotium during winter; whereas fruiting-body (stroma) sprouts from the prethorax region of infected larvae and matures in late summer (June-August)⁴.

The major chemical constituents of O. sinensis include sterols, nucleosides, sugar derivatives, fatty acids, organic acids, proteins and vitamins. These have been shown to be remedy for several maladies including but not limited to cancer, hepatoglycemia, asthma, hypercholesterolemia, sexual dysfunction, immunodeficiency etc. Several studies have shown its effectiveness in improvement of physical performance, circulatory functions, hepatoprotection, Reno protection, atherosclerosis, anti-tumor and anti-metastatic. Another important aspect is its use as tonic, aphrodisiac, cardio tonic and expectorant. Such pharmacological features lead to high market value of the fungus ⁵.

References

1.     Lo HC, Hsieh C, Lin FY, Hsu TH. A Systematic Review of the Mysterious Caterpillar Fungus Ophiocordyceps Sinensis in DongChongXiaCao (冬蟲夏草 Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo) and Related Bioactive Ingredients. Vol 1.; 2013.
2.     Shrestha B, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Liu X. What is the Chinese caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordycipitaceae)? Mycology. 2010;1(4):228-236. doi:10.1080/21501203.2010.536791
3.     Devkota S. The Frequency and Relationship of Flowering Plants on the Distribution Pattern of Ophiocordyceps Sinensis (Yarchagunbu) in the Highlands of Dolpa District, Nepal. Vol 19.
4.     Chen YQ, Hu B, Xu F, Zhang W, Zhou H, Qu LH. Genetic variation of Cordyceps sinensis, a fruit-body-producing entomopathogenic species from different geographical regions in China. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2004;230(1):153-158. doi:10.1016/S0378-1097(03)00889-9
5.     Shrestha S, Shrestha AK, Park JH, et al. Review on Pharmacologically Active Metabolites from Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis), an Epitome of Himalayan Elixir. Vol 14.; 2013.