Cultivation and medicinal uses of cordyceps militaris (L.) link: A revolutionary entomopathogenic fungus

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link is an entomopathogenic fungus that has significant medical properties. It has been recorded in ancient Chinese and Korean medical literature, for over 200 years. The fungus has been consumed for the treatment of various clinical and subclinical illnesses. However, its true clinical potential is still being researched. The primary active compound present in the fungus is Cordycepin. Chemically, 30 deoxyadenosine is structurally similar to Adenosine which is a nucleoside. Researches also indicate that Cordycepin has an impact in the treatment of different cancers of renal, ovarian, lung, etc. due to its apoptotic action on cancerous cells and believed to be effective against different types of viral diseases. Cordycepin has also been evident to develop a therapeutic effect against chemoresistance developed by cancer stem cells (CSCs), and acts as a co-catalyst for chemotherapy. Industrially, the price of C. militaris has been increasing for the past few decades and it is considered as one of the most expensive fungi in the world. The compound can also be chemically synthesised; however, it is still 'farmed' in special 'farms'. Cordycepin undoubtedly has an immense potential to stand a great place in the future of pharmacology and could be a mass consumed health product, akin to Green Tea.