Topic: The Hidden Powers of Cordyceps militaris: A Systematic Review on its Chemical

Components and Medicinal Properties

Slide 1: TITLE

A pleasant morning to everyone. First off, thank you all for your time and effort on
participating in our webinar today. I am Mark Laurence Reyes, one of the proponents of
the study to be presented, which is entitled “The Hidden Powers of Cordyceps militaris:
A Systematic Review on its Chemical Components and Medicinal Properties." Together
with me are Mr. Brucal and Mr. Rivera. Join us as we shed light on the chemical
components of Cordyceps militaris and its potential medicinal properties, contributing to
a comprehensive understanding of why this mushroom should be on everyone’s radar.

Slide 2: INTRODUCTION

Cordyceps militaris is a species of mushroom with a long history of use for its
purported health benefits. It is an old, Chinese cordyceps widely used by traditional
means of medicinal use or for biocontrol agents for pests within China, being one of the
best-known Chinese medicine and health foods. However, while that may be the case, it
is important to take note that natural Cordyceps militaris are very rare and expensive.

According to the study of Jedrejko et al. (2021), Cordyceps militaris can

strengthen the endurance of the human body such as fatigue reduction and stimulation
of immune functions. It has reportedly been found to have a variety of pharmacological
effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activity, among
others. The therapeutic benefits of Cordyceps militaris have been related to its chemical
composition, which includes polysaccharides, nucleosides, amino acids, and other
bioactive compounds.

Slide 3: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

According to the traditional Chinese medicine literature, Cordyceps militaris has

been used to treat a wide range of health conditions, including chronic cough, asthma,
bronchitis, and kidney disease. Despite its widespread use, natural Cordyceps militaris
is rare and expensive, leading to increased interest in the cultivation of this mushroom.
Researchers have been working to develop more efficient and cost-effective methods of
producing Cordyceps militaris in order to make it more widely available to consumers.

Through this systematic review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of

the chemical components and medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris. We hope that
this will not only contribute to the growing body of knowledge on this fascinating
mushroom but also serve as a valuable resource for healthcare practitioners and the
general public alike.
 Additionally, the significance of this study in the field of research in the
Philippines is that it provides valuable insights into the potential medicinal properties of
Cordyceps militaris, which is a relatively understudied mushroom species in the country.
With its reported anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activity,
Cordyceps militaris has the potential to be developed into a new and alternative source
of natural medicines that can help address various health conditions. This study also
highlights the importance of further research and development in the field of natural
medicine in the Philippines, particularly in exploring the therapeutic properties of
indigenous plants and fungi.

Slide 4: RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The purpose of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the existing
scientific literature on the medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris in relation to its
chemical composition.

Specifically, this review will focus on the following research questions:

● What is the chemical composition of Cordyceps militaris?

● What are the medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris, and how are they
related to its chemical composition?
● What are the potential clinical applications of Cordyceps militaris?

By addressing these research questions and synthesizing the available evidence,

this systematic review aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the
pharmacological properties of Cordyceps militaris and its potential use as a therapeutic
agent, and to provide a comprehensive overview of its chemical components and
medicinal properties.

Slide 5: SEARCH AND SELECTION STRATEGY

Our search and selection strategy involves using PICO components to guide our
systematic review. The PICO components include Population (not applicable in this
case), Intervention (Cordyceps militaris), Outcome (medicinal properties and chemical
composition). Using these components, we have conducted a search using specific
terms (#1 Cordyceps militaris, #2 medicinal properties, and #3 chemical composition)
and combine them to create search combinations to retrieve relevant studies.

Our search was conducted in various databases, such as EBSCO, Google

Scholar, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Web of Science, to ensure that we have
gathered comprehensive information on Cordyceps militaris. By using PICO
components and specific search terms, you will be able to identify relevant studies that
investigate the medicinal properties and chemical composition of Cordyceps militaris.
Overall, a well-planned search and selection strategy helps in ensuring the quality and
validity of a systematic review.

Slide 6: INCLUSION CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria for the studies in this review were as follows:

● First, the studies must be published in peer-reviewed journals
● Second, the studies must be written in English
● Third, the studies must report on the chemical composition and medicinal
properties of Cordyceps militaris
● Fourth, the study must be published in English and may include seminal or
up-to-date findings.

Having inclusion criteria is important for a systematic review because it helps to

ensure that the studies included in the review are relevant to the research question and
meet specific quality standards. By setting clear inclusion criteria, minimization of bias
and the validity of the findings will be ensured.

Slide 7: PRISMA Flowchart

In this systematic review, the research was conducted with proper guidelines
established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. This study reviewed literature that reported on the
medicinal properties and chemical composition of Cordyceps militaris. Studies included
in the review were those published as early as 1960 until the present year. Literature
search was conducted from April to May 2023.

At the Identification phase of our literature search, we have identified 100 records
from the databases that we enumerated on the search and selection strategy. All 100
records were screened, and 23 records have been excluded due to being duplicates. 77
reports remained, and 29 reports have not been retrieved after screening the quality of
their design, outcomes measured, and main findings. Search results were tabulated in
Google Sheets to further analyze the studies retrieved and collected. The three
researchers individually screened the studies for their eligibility. After assessing their
quality, the studies that are still eligible for inclusion were tabulated. The number of
eligible studies for further assessment and review became 48, but 38 of those were
excluded due to the main reason of time constraint. Hence, the total number of studies
included in this review is 10. Data included the authors, year of publication, type of
study, main findings, outcome measures, and study design.

Slide 8: RESULTS (Chemical Components)

The results of our systematic review provide a comprehensive overview of the

current knowledge regarding the medicinal properties and chemical composition of the
Genus Cordyceps militaris. Our review synthesized evidence from multiple studies
published in the last few decades and provides a critical appraisal of the available
literature.

For the first category, a number of studies have been conducted to investigate
the chemical components and potential medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris. The
first reviewed study found that it contains components that have anti-inflammatory,
antinociceptive, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic activities, particularly cordycepin.
These findings suggest that Cordyceps militaris has potential in treating
inflammation-related conditions.

The second reviewed study focused on the extracts of Cordyceps militaris and
their antioxidant properties, which may inhibit lipid, protein, and LDL oxidation. These
extracts also contain polyphenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides that could be
responsible for the antioxidant activity. In addition, a recent study proposed that it can
be used as a functional food to regulate proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, these
studies suggest that Cordyceps militaris has significant potential as a medicinal fungus
with beneficial chemical components.

Slide 9: RESULTS (Medicinal Properties)

For the second category, a number of studies provided contextual information on

the history, medicinal value, and chemical composition of Cordyceps species in general.
The third study provides an overview of the history and medicinal properties of
Cordyceps species, including Cordyceps militaris. Holliday & Cleaver (2008)
emphasized the long history of medicinal use and the known unique secondary
metabolites of Cordyceps militaris. However, the challenges in obtaining these species
due to their rarity and expense remain a big obstacle to overcome. This was supported
by Lv et al. (2008), who have identified a number of compounds in Cordyceps militaris
that could have potential medicinal properties.

The sixth study by Zhou et al. highlights the importance of quality control in
ensuring the bioactive components of Cordyceps products.

The seventh and eighth studies by Das et al. and Phull et al. respectively suggest
that Cordyceps militaris has various medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory,
anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties, and can be cultured for potential wider
use. These findings suggest that Cordyceps militaris may have great potential for
medicinal applications. Additionally, the studies mention that culture techniques have
been developed for C. militaris, indicating that it can be cultivated and potentially made
more widely available for medicinal use.
 Slide 10: RESULTS (Bioactivity)

For the third category of our results from the reviewed articles, a number of
studies provided information about the bioactivity of Cordyceps militaris. Bioactivity
refers to the ability of a substance to have an effect on a living organism, such as a
medicinal effect. In the case of Cordyceps militaris, bioactivity refers to its ability to
produce chemical compounds that have potential medicinal properties.

The study by Jędrejko et al. (2021) provided a comprehensive review of the

chemical composition and medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris, including its
potential to reduce fatigue, stimulate the immune system, and potentially exhibit antiviral
activity against COVID-19.

The study by Guo et al. (2016) reported on the amounts of various bioactive
components in different parts of Cordyceps militaris, including adenosine,
polysaccharides, cordycepin, carotenoids, and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). This
information is important for the cultivation and processing of Cordyceps militaris for
medicinal purposes. The study found that the amounts of adenosine and
polysaccharides in most samples were higher than quality standards, suggesting high
potential for use as a medicinal herb.

The bioactivity of Cordyceps militaris has been studied extensively, and it has
been found to contain several bioactive components, which have potential medicinal
properties. These properties include anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory,
antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects, among others. Therefore, the bioactivity of
Cordyceps militaris makes it a promising candidate for use as a natural medicine.

Slide 11: DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

Based on the ten studies reviewed, it has been established that the Cordyceps
militaris has significant potential as a medicinal fungus with a range of beneficial
chemical components. The studies consistently suggest that the bioactive compounds
in Cordyceps militaris, such as cordycepin, polysaccharides, and various antioxidants,
have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties, among others.
The potential medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris also include reducing fatigue,
stimulating the immune system, and potentially exhibiting antiviral activity against
COVID-19.

Furthermore, the studies suggest that Cordyceps militaris contains a range of

identifiable compounds with potential medicinal properties. However, the quality control
of Cordyceps militaris products used for medicinal purposes is important, and it is
crucial to ensure that these products are of high quality and contain the expected
bioactive components.

In conclusion, Cordyceps militaris has a long history of medicinal use and is

known for its unique secondary metabolites, which may have potential medicinal
properties. The chemical components of Cordyceps militaris have shown to have
various medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and
immunomodulatory effects, among others. Future research should continue to explore
the medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris and its potential use in medicine, as well
as address the challenges associated with the commercial availability and quality
control of its products.

Slide 12: LIMITATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

The review has limitations that stem from the short time frame in which the
literature search and write-ups were completed. First, the review's scope is limited to
only ten studies, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the
medicinal properties of Cordyceps militaris. The short time frame has prevented the
reviewers from including relevant studies that were published outside of the search
period. The limited time provided for conducting this systematic review have led to
limited literature search, which may also lead to limited screening and analyzing results
and data.

Hence, there is a need to consider conducting a more extensive search to

include all relevant studies on Cordyceps militaris and its medicinal properties. A month
may not be enough time to thoroughly review and analyze all the relevant literature on
this topic. While this review provided a general overview of the potential medicinal
properties of Cordyceps militaris, future research could focus on the effects of this
fungus on specific medical conditions that are rampant in the Philippines such as
respiratory illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular illnesses.

Slide 13: REFERENCES

These are the references gathered for this systematic review. Once again, the
Cordyceps militaris has the potential to provide a natural and cost-effective alternative
or complementary treatment for various health conditions. Since Cordyceps militaris can
be cultivated in bioreactors, it has the potential to become more widely available and
affordable for medicinal use. This could be particularly beneficial for the Philippines,
where access to healthcare and expensive medications can be a challenge for many
people.

Once more, this study provided a comprehensive review of the Cordyceps

militaris in an attempt to discover that its powers may not be hidden after all, and that
the Filipinos may be able to take advantage of its health benefits to improve their overall
well-being.

Slide 14: THANK YOU

 That concludes the first presentation for this class. We thank you so much for
your listening.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: The significance of this study is that it sheds light on the potential medicinal
properties of Cordyceps militaris and its various chemical components. This information
can be useful for the development of new drugs and treatments, particularly for
conditions that affect Filipinos such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Additionally, because Cordyceps militaris is a natural and safe alternative to synthetic
drugs, it may be an attractive option for those who prefer natural remedies. This study
may also provide insights for Filipino farmers who want to venture into mushroom
farming as a sustainable livelihood.

Q: What is the major highlight of your study?

A: As the reviewers of the selected and eligible studies about our topic, it came to light
how Cordyceps militaris is known for its various health benefits, such as boosting the
immune system, and reducing inflammation.

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, having a strong immune system is crucial, and
Cordyceps militaris may help in achieving that.

Cordyceps militaris is a type of mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for
many years in the traditional Chinese culture. It has been found to contain many
bioactive compounds that may have potential health benefits. Some studies suggest
that it may have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties, as
well as potential antiviral activity against COVID-19, which is still relevant to talk about
today.

If these properties can be further proven through rigorous scientific research, Cordyceps
militaris could be developed into new medicines that could help treat a variety of
diseases. Additionally, because it can be cultivated in bioreactors, it may be more
affordable and accessible for people to use as a traditional medicine, most especially for
Filipino people who adhere to traditional means in their medicine and healthcare.

Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic properties of Cordyceps

militaris and to determine the most effective doses and methods of administration.
As such, clinical trials are necessary to prove its safety and efficacy, and to ensure that
it can be used as a medicine in a responsible and effective manner.