Functional Properties and Therapeutic Effects

*Apolipoproteins, Triglycerides and Cholesterol*

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**Chapter 10**

**Abstract**

triglycerides

**1. Introduction**

Therapeutic Properties and

Anti-Lipidemic Activity of

*Kanchana Samarasinghe and Viduranga Y. Waisundara*

**Keywords:** caterpillar, cholesterol, *Cordyceps sinensis*, ethnopharmacology,

Edible mushrooms have been widely used around the world for their high nutritional and therapeutic value as well as in the form of a functional food. Additionally, they have been highly appreciated for their medicinal and therapeutic applications from a traditional perspective as well. This is owing to the availability of a vast variety of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, proteoglycans, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, and lectins, which are available in copious amounts in all its components [1]. *Cordyceps sinensis* is a highly valued fungus in this aspect which thrives at very high altitudes, especially in meadows on the Himalayan Plateau [2]. As a medicinal fungus of a long and illustrious history, *Cordyceps sinensis* is an ascomycetes fungus [3]. An image of this fungus is shown in **Figure 1**. Although it is not actually a mushroom in the taxonomic sense, it has been regarded as a medicinal mushroom throughout history. The name *Cordyceps* comes from the Latin words "cord" and "ceps," meaning "club" and "head," respectively [3]. The term "*Cordyceps*"

*Cordyceps sinensis* is an entomophagous medicinal mushroom, which is mainly endemic to the Tibetan Plateau including the adjoining high altitude areas. The fungus attacks many lepidopteran larvae caterpillars and mummifies it. The larvae along with the mummified insect are highly valued for their medicinal property. *Cordyceps sinensis* is one of the most efficient and expensive medicinal mushrooms in traditional medicinal systems such as those in China and Tibet, having multiple medicinal and pharmacological properties. It has been used to treat respiratory and immune disorders; pulmonary diseases; renal, liver, and cardiovascular diseases; hyposexuality; and hyperlipidemia. The extract of this mushroom and its bioactive compounds are noteworthy for their ability to regulate lipid metabolism and thereby exhibit anti-lipidemic activity. Cordycepin in particular, which is a bioactive compound existing in *Cordyceps sinensis*, has been identified as one of the primary compounds of interest in this aspect. Despite the global and scientific interest exerted toward *Cordyceps sinensis*, it appears to be of utmost importance that the price and other market factors owing to the rarity of this herb are managed

*Cordyceps sinensis*

through artificial means of synthesis.
