ABSTRACT
Cordyceps spp. has been known for hundreds of years in traditional Asian ethnomedicine. Cordyceps militaris along with the species Cordyceps sinensis is an important source of health-promoting compounds. The main activities to which it attributes its popularity are ergogenic, reducing both physical and mental fatigue, as well as immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activity. Due to the difficult sourcing of the C. sinensis species and its high price, it is crucial to replace it with a C. militaris species with documented medicinal properties that can be successfully obtained in commercial cultivation. Remarkably, the content of bioactive compounds such as cordycepin and mushroom polysaccharides has been shown to be higher in C. militaris species. This species is a source of nutritional compounds and thus can be classified as a nutraceutical. C. militaris has been shown to have applications in cancer treatment, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, and ergogenic activities. Due to its numerous health-promoting activities and its proven efficacy, this species may find future use as a major ingredient in medical and dietary products, which is important in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries and applications.
