Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Ingredients and Medicinal Functions of Natural and Cultivated <i>Ophiocordyceps sinensis</i> (Berk.)

The Chinese caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) is a valuable traditional medicine, also known throughout Asia by its Tibetan name དབྱར་རྩྭ་དགུན་འབུ (Yartsa Gunbu), meaning “summer grass, winter worm”. The mature fungus O. sinensis contains abundant active biological components, including polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids, inorganic elements, and others. Studies have previously confirmed that O. sinensis possesses multiple pharmacological activities. Therefore, it holds high value in the commercial market and is in increasing demand. However, the unique formation process and harsh growth environment contribute to the preciousness and scarcity of the species. To meet market demand, multiple mycelium types have been isolated from natural O. sinensis and cultivated artificially using fermentation technology. Currently, both natural and cultivated O. sinensis products are available as healthy Chinese herbal medicines on the market. However, there is a lack of comparative reviews on the two types of O. sinensis in terms of their compositions and medicinal functions. This mini-review will focus on the bioactive ingredients and medicinal functions of both natural and cultivated O. sinensis, intending to elucidate their medical values as traditional Chinese medicines for human use.