Cordyceps is a type of fungi parasitizing insects. There’re about 400 species, including Cordyceps militaris. Its beneficial features are known because of conventional Chinese medical practices. Microscopic fungi of genus Cordyceps long aroused interest of scientists. Results of a study of cordycepin were published in 1950. An Indian company Biobritte India, founded in 2018, supplies Cordyceps to pharmaceutical industry.
Cordyceps properties
Cordyceps militaris is a potential source of biometabolites for herbal medicines. People most often use it to refine physical productivity or to cure kidney ailments, liver and sexual disorders. Among its functions are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial and many others. Cordyceps contains a special type of sugar being helpful in the treatment of diabetes. It is believed cordyceps increases body’s productiveness of molecule adenosine triphosphate; it’s necessary for energy delivery to muscles. Fungus is also good for the heart, helping to prevent arrhythmias and lowering triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol. A number of researches prove cordyceps is a native alternative to pharmaceutical drugs increasing libido.
Cordycepin against cancer
One of the components of the fungus is cordycepin, an antitumor agent that plays an important role in pharmacology. Its useful features were confirmed in course of research by scientists from Nottingham University (England) in 2009. Scientists have found that cordycepin affects cells in two ways. In small quantities, it suppresses process of uncontrolled cell growth and division. In large quantities, it prevents cells from fusing; it in turn suppresses tumor growth. Results are achieved, likely, in similar way – cordycepin intervenes with process of protein release by cells.
One of the researchers, Dr. Cornelia de Moor believes discovery helps to identify a number of cancers being cured with cordycepin. According to her, by studying the susceptibility of various types of cancers to cordycepin and its combinations, scientists will prepare the ground for the production of new drugs against cancer.
The results of the study at Nottingham University were published in the American scientific journal The Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Biobritte India: How a small business grew into a big company
A partner of Eternity Life Clinics, the company Biobritte India originated in 2018. Two years earlier, Parimal Ramesh Udgave, a biotechnology scientist, founded a small business producing raw materials from Cordyceps-militaris for pharmaceuticals in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
The project employs a team of experienced microbiologists who grow Cordyceps-militaris in laboratory conditions. Then raw material is supplied to pharmaceutical companies, private clients and medical institutions.
“Biobritte has a spacious room for growing cordyceps, which allows for production of 200 kg of dried fungus over a 60-day cycle. In addition, we have our laboratory, incubation rooms, cultivation rooms, several work areas, and a quality control department,” says Parimal Ramesh Udgave.
Now the company is entering new markets and developing rapidly.
On March 23 at 16:00 (GMT+2) you have the opportunity to attend an AMA session with Parimal Ramesh Udgave in our discord community and ask any questions. Join us on Discord: discord.gg/VTbSEErfDj.
