Cordyceps Extract Inhibits Inflammation

Cordyceps militaris is a well-known Chinese medicinal fungus that has been used as a nutraceutical food in several Asian countries. Cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine), a secondary metabolite produced from Cordyceps militaris has been demonstrated to exert a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-microbial and antitumor activities. However, the effect of cordycepin on immunomodulation in broilers is poorly investigated. In the current study, we investigated the effect of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris hot water extract (CMHW) immunomodulation in response to LPS challenge in broilers.

Fig 1. Effects of CMHW supplementation on inflammation-related gene expression in LPS-challenged broilers. Effect of CMHW supplementation on iNOS mRNA level in the spleen of broilers 3 h (a) and 24 h (b) post-injection of LPS. COX-2 mRNA level in the spleen of broilers 3 h (c) and 24 h (d) post-injection of LPS. Effect of CMHW supplementation on iNOS mRNA expression in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers 3 h (e) and 24 h (f) post-injection of LPS. COX-2 mRNA level in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers 3 h (g) and 24 h (h) post-injection of LPS. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n=6). Means with different letter superscripts are significantly different (P< 0.05).

CMHW supplementation significantly alleviated LPS-induced iNOS expression in the spleen of broilers 3 h post-injection of LPS (Fig. 1a, P< 0.05). No significant difference was observed in iNOS mRNA level in the spleen of broilers 24 h post-injection of LPS in combination with CMHW treatment (Fig. 1b). LPS-induced COX-2 expression in the spleen of broilers was efficiently alleviated by CMHW treatment at 3 and 24 h post-injection (Fig. 1c and d, P< 0.05). Interestingly, iNOS mRNA level in the bursa of Fabricius 3 h post-injection of LPS was further reduced in chickens challenged with LPS compared to the control group (Fig. 1e, P< 0.05). No significant difference was observed regarding iNOS mRNA level in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers 24 h post-injection of LPS in combination with CMHW treatment (Fig. 1f). Similar to the spleen, LPS-induced COX-2 expression in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers was efficiently alleviated by CMHW treatment 3 and 24 h post-injection (Fig. 1g and h, P< 0.05).

In conclusion, CMHW exerts an immunomodulatory role and inhibits inflammation-related gene expression in response to LPS stimulation in broilers. Therefore, CMHW containing cordycepin has a high potential for development as a feed additive that may act as an alternative source for immunomodulation in farm animals.