Immunomodulatory functions of extracts from the Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps cicadae

The effects of Cordyceps cicadae extracted fractions on human mononuclear cells (HMNC) proliferation were determined by tritiated thymidine uptake. The results indicated that aqueous methanol (50%) extracts of C. cicadae ascocarps portion (CC-1-2) enhanced HMNC proliferation activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) with an EC50 of 13.8±4.6 μg/ml. By contrast, the methanol (100%) extracts of C. cicadae insect-body portion (CC-2-1) suppressed HMNC...