Bioactivities Of Ethanolic Extract Of Cordyceps Militaris Lyophilized Powder

Abstract

Cordyceps militaris (CM) has several bioactivities, including anticancer, anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activity, thanks to the presence of main bioactive compounds of cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid. This study aimed to investigate the nutraceutical compositions, including cordycepin, adenosine, carbohydrates, phenolic, and flavonoid, and the biological activities such as antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the C. militaris cultured in vitro in Vietnam provided by Vinseed Company. Cordycepin and adenosine were quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Along with, the quantification of total carbohydrates, phenolic, and flavonoid content were assayed using phenol-sulfuric acid method, Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, respectively. Subsequently, its antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH assay, and its antibacterial property was investigated using the agar well diffusion method, as well as minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The extraction yield of CM was 31.28% ± 0.03 obtained by ethanol solvent from the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) method. In addition, the cordycepin and adenosine content of the extract by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), was 4.096 mg/g (0.81%) and 0.935 mg/g (0.18%), respectively. Furthermore, 10.70 mg/g, 20.87 ± 2.53 mg GAE/g, and 17.30 ± 4.56 mg QE/g were the amounts of total carbohydrates, phenolics, and flavonoid, respectively. Besides, the weak antioxidant activity of CM extract with IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL compared to 14.72 μg/mL of ascorbic acid was recorded. Moreover, the ethanolic extract of C. militaris exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC value of 12.5 mg/mL, while the MIC value against Escherichia coli could be not determined. Likewise, the antibacterial activity of CM extract tested by the agar well diffusion method needs further study. In summary, C. militaris extract in our study has comparable amount of bioactive compounds including cordycepins, adenosine, polysaccharide, phenolic and flavonoid. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This study provided useful data for further studies associated with the investigation of the pharmacological activities of CM extract and the development of functional foods and pharmaceutical products derived from CM.