Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-11-8
pubmed:abstractText
Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. (Cordyceps), a popular Chinese tonifying herb, was revered for being both 'Yin-nourishing' and 'Yang-invigorating' in Chinese medicine. In order to establish the pharmacological basis for the 'Yin-nourishing' and 'Yang-invigorating' action of Cordyceps, the effects of wild and cultured Cordyceps on concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes, an in vitro bioassay for 'Yin-nourishment', and myocardial ATP generation capacity, an ex vivo bioassay for 'Yang-invigoration', were investigated in mice. The results indicated that methanolic extracts of wild and cultured Cordyceps enhanced both the Con A-stimulated splenocyte proliferation in vitro and myocardial mitochondrial ATP generation ex vivo in mice, with no significant difference in potency of action between the two types of Cordyceps. While the immuno-potentiating effect was associated with the increase in interleukin II production, the stimulation of myocardial ATP generation was paralleled by an enhancement in mitochondrial electron transport. When compared with typical 'Yin' and 'Yang' tonifying Chinese herbs, Cordyceps was found to possess both 'Yin-nourishing' and 'Yang-invigorating' activities, with a lower potency in both modes of action. The pharmacological characterization of Cordyceps by means of contemporary bioassays is consistent with the time-honored clinical observation from Chinese herbalists.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0024-3205
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
10
pubmed:volume
76
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
385-95
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Adenosine Triphosphate, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Administration, Oral, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Cell Proliferation, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Cells, Cultured, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Concanavalin A, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Cordyceps, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Drug Combinations, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Drugs, Chinese Herbal, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Electron Transport, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Female, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Heart, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Interleukin-2, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Mice, Inbred BALB C, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Mitochondria, Heart, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Myocardium, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Spleen, pubmed-meshheading:15530501-Yin-Yang
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Pharmacological basis of 'Yin-nourishing' and 'Yang-invigorating' actions of Cordyceps, a Chinese tonifying herb.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article