**1. Introduction**

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*"

**Figure 1.** Cordyceps sinensis *growing on a caterpillar.*

usually refer to the specific species *Cordyceps sinensis*, but there are also many other species that come under the genus *Cordyceps*.

The medicinal value of this fungus was first recognized more than 2000 years ago in China and the recognition passed onto the rest of Asia [3]. Early records of *Cordyceps sinensis* as a medicine is as old as the Qing Dynasty in China and this information has been mentioned in *Ben Cao Cong Xin* (New Compilation of Materia Medica) written by Wu Yiluo in around 1757 [4]. However, knowledge of this fungus reached Western scientific audiences only in 1726, when it was introduced at a scientific meeting in Paris. The first specimens were carried back to France by a Jesuit priest, who chronicled his experiences with *Cordyceps sinensis* during his stay at the Chinese Emperor's court [4].

Various names have been used to identify *Cordyceps sinensis* in various languages and cultures, where the most common forms of reference are shown in **Table 1**. In historical and general usage, the term "*Cordyceps*" refers specifically to the species *Cordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) Sacc (syn *Ophiocordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora.), which is the most widely used *Cordyceps* species. Berkeley, the British mycologist, first described this fungus in 1843 as *Sphaeria sinensis* Berk., while later on in 1878, Saccardo renamed it as *Cordyceps sinensis* [5]. The currently accepted scientific name is *Cordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) Sacc.

The taxonomic classification of *Cordyceps sinensis* is shown in **Table 2**.

Given the difficulties involved in harvesting, *Cordyceps sinensis* has been highly priced. It is basically the costliest fungus or medicinal mushroom throughout the world, hence known as "fungal gold" or "soft gold" [6]. The price of *Cordyceps sinensis* has been shown to grow approximately 20% annually and to date is probably 1000% the price which existed 10 years ago [7]. Pricing is achieved by inspecting the size and firmness of the larval host, which is often tested by squeezing it between two fingers; the stiffer it is, the higher the price [8]. The color is also observed when pricing, where a saturated yellowish-brown color is preferred than the pale ones [9]. Other physical characteristics taken into account when assessing quality are size, weight, smell, taste, and robustness [9]. The texture of goodquality specimens is relatively fleshy while the taste is bitter. Despite its cost and rarity, the unprecedented medicinal applications of *Cordyceps sinensis* have made it a highly valued indispensable component of the traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine.

**173**

*Therapeutic Properties and Anti-Lipidemic Activity of* Cordyceps sinensis

**Language Vernacular name** Chinese Dong chong xia cao Tibetan Yartsa gunbu Hindi Keeda jadi Nepali language Yarcha gumba

Although *Cordyceps sinensis* has been used for a wide range of medicinal applications, it is only apt that its anti-lipidemic properties are given due attention. For this purpose, it is important that other aspects of this fungus are compiled herein prior to highlighting its effects against lipid-related disorders. Thus, this chapter has been structured in a manner which provides a holistic overview of *Cordyceps sinensis*, where any reader can refer to this write-up and obtain an overall understanding of this medicine prior to delving into its anti-lipidemic effects.

*Cordyceps sinensis* fungus begins off its wondrous life cycle with the combination of an underground caterpillar (insect)—mostly Lepidoptera larvae, which generally lives about 15 cm underground. One of the special factors, which affect the initial point to begin the life of *Cordyceps sinensis* and which enable its identification from other fungi, is the low temperature that is required for its life cycle. This particular

temperature is believed to be below approximately 21°C [6]. The life of the caterpillar fungus which begins under these conditions carries out a slow growing

The underground caterpillars which survive by feeding on the underground roots start to shed off their skin in the later part of summer and autumn seasons. Therefore, their skin becomes more vulnerable to fungal spores. Fungal spores, which begin to interact with the chemicals on the skin of these caterpillars, release a fungal mycelium, which then starts infecting the caterpillar to its death. With its death, a formation of a stalk-like structure of the mushroom grows out of the upper part of the head of the dead caterpillar and that particular structure emerges above to the ground surface in the season of spring. The infected larvae after its

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92616*

*Vernacular names used for* Cordyceps sinensis*.*

**Classification Category** Kingdom Fungi Division Ascomycota Class Sordariomycetes Order Hypocreales

Genus *Cordyceps* Species *sinensis*

Family Ophiocordycipitaceae

**2. The life cycle of** *Cordyceps sinensis*

*Taxonomic classification of* Cordyceps sinensis*.*

procedure thereafter.

**Table 2.**

**Table 1.**

*Therapeutic Properties and Anti-Lipidemic Activity of* Cordyceps sinensis *DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92616*


**Table 1.**

*Apolipoproteins, Triglycerides and Cholesterol*

species that come under the genus *Cordyceps*.

Cordyceps sinensis *growing on a caterpillar.*

**Figure 1.**

at the Chinese Emperor's court [4].

usually refer to the specific species *Cordyceps sinensis*, but there are also many other

The medicinal value of this fungus was first recognized more than 2000 years ago in China and the recognition passed onto the rest of Asia [3]. Early records of *Cordyceps sinensis* as a medicine is as old as the Qing Dynasty in China and this information has been mentioned in *Ben Cao Cong Xin* (New Compilation of Materia Medica) written by Wu Yiluo in around 1757 [4]. However, knowledge of this fungus reached Western scientific audiences only in 1726, when it was introduced at a scientific meeting in Paris. The first specimens were carried back to France by a Jesuit priest, who chronicled his experiences with *Cordyceps sinensis* during his stay

Various names have been used to identify *Cordyceps sinensis* in various languages and cultures, where the most common forms of reference are shown in **Table 1**. In historical and general usage, the term "*Cordyceps*" refers specifically to the species *Cordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) Sacc (syn *Ophiocordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora.), which is the most widely used *Cordyceps* species. Berkeley, the British mycologist, first described this fungus in 1843 as *Sphaeria sinensis* Berk., while later on in 1878, Saccardo renamed it as *Cordyceps sinensis* [5].

Given the difficulties involved in harvesting, *Cordyceps sinensis* has been highly priced. It is basically the costliest fungus or medicinal mushroom throughout the world, hence known as "fungal gold" or "soft gold" [6]. The price of *Cordyceps sinensis* has been shown to grow approximately 20% annually and to date is probably 1000% the price which existed 10 years ago [7]. Pricing is achieved by inspecting the size and firmness of the larval host, which is often tested by squeezing it between two fingers; the stiffer it is, the higher the price [8]. The color is also observed when pricing, where a saturated yellowish-brown color is preferred than the pale ones [9]. Other physical characteristics taken into account when assessing quality are size, weight, smell, taste, and robustness [9]. The texture of goodquality specimens is relatively fleshy while the taste is bitter. Despite its cost and rarity, the unprecedented medicinal applications of *Cordyceps sinensis* have made it a highly valued indispensable component of the traditional Chinese and Tibetan

The currently accepted scientific name is *Cordyceps sinensis* (Berk.) Sacc. The taxonomic classification of *Cordyceps sinensis* is shown in **Table 2**.

**172**

medicine.

*Vernacular names used for* Cordyceps sinensis*.*


**Table 2.**

*Taxonomic classification of* Cordyceps sinensis*.*

Although *Cordyceps sinensis* has been used for a wide range of medicinal applications, it is only apt that its anti-lipidemic properties are given due attention. For this purpose, it is important that other aspects of this fungus are compiled herein prior to highlighting its effects against lipid-related disorders. Thus, this chapter has been structured in a manner which provides a holistic overview of *Cordyceps sinensis*, where any reader can refer to this write-up and obtain an overall understanding of this medicine prior to delving into its anti-lipidemic effects.
