Hormonal Regulation of Gene Transcription
Gerald M. Kolodny in Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, 2018
A certain hesitancy accompanies inferences based on inhibitor studies, particularly when using AcD. Anomalous effects of this drug have incited at least two groups291,292 to implicate repressor molecules in the steroid-mediated control of mRNA levels, propositions which seem to be rapidly losing support.293–296 In many cases, “superinduction” of mRNAs or their proteins can be explained on the basis of differential mRNA degradation in the presence of AcD and competition for rate-limiting translation factors.297,298 In addition, AcD interferes with protein synthesis,299,300 RNA processing,301 and ATP pool sizes.296 Cordycepin also affects protein synthesis,300 and in view of its conversion to 3′ dATP and consequent inhibition of HnRNA synthesis,302 the basis for inhibition of polyadenylation by this drug has been questioned. The drug a-aman-itin probably retains its “specificity” in vivo, although it inhibits all nuclear RNA synthesis,303,304 possibly because of the dependence of rRNA and tRNA synthesis on Pol II-directed RNA products.303 Compared with AcD, cycloheximide boasts a better record of “specificity”, but high concentrations may directly affect RNA synthesis.305
Fungi and Water
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy in Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Recently, many bioactive constituents of C. sinensis have been reported, such as polysaccharides, cordycepin, cordycepic acid, guanosine (a nucleotide), mannitol, aminophenol, unsaturated fatty acids, metals, and ergosterol (88–91). Recent studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents extracted from Cordyceps have various pharmacological actions, such as immunomodulating, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, inflammatory effects, antioxidant, anti-aging, and antiapoptotic properties (88–92). However, safety concerns associated with the daily consumption of Cordyceps fungi or related products are still being debated (92). On the one hand, the known compounds from these fungi such as adenosine analogs cordycepin and pentostatin have demonstrated different beneficial and pharmaceutical activities, but on the other hand, dose-dependent cytotoxicities, neurological toxicities, and/or toxicological effects have also occurred in humans and animals (92). The possibility of mycotoxin production by Cordyceps fungi has not been completely ruled out (92). Based on the known compounds and putative mycotoxins that might be produced by Cordyceps fungi, safety assessments and more research are still required to alleviate concerns when consuming these costly fungi as dietary supplements (92).
Current Concepts of Implantation and Decidualization
Gabor Huszar in The Physiology and Biochemistry of the Uterus in Pregnancy and Labor, 2020
Drugs and inhibitors have been used to examine the influence of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis on trophoblast differentiation. A clear pattern cannot be drawn, as yet, because of the lack of rigorous controls for drug toxicity and other side effects. Inhibition of DNA synthesis (cytosine arabinoside) affected ICM more than tro-phectoderm. Lower DNA content did not appear to interfere with trophoblast differentiation.73 The blastocyst was extremely sensitive to actinomycin-D and cordycepin.74 As little as 0.001 jig/mi of antinomycin-D caused blastocyst destruction. The secondary and side effects produced by actinomycin-D can be partially circumvented by the use of α-amanatin.75 Cell-specific but not stage-specific proteins are suppressed by α-amanitin.76 The results of these experiments reinforce the view that relatively stable RNA populations support initial stages of development.75,77 New species of mRNA are required from the morula on.
Nanoencapsulated cordyceps extract enhances collagen synthesis and skin cell regeneration through antioxidation and autophagy
Published in Journal of Microencapsulation, 2023
Nawapol Upatcha, Palakorn Kaokaen, Natchadaporn Sorraksa, Ruchee Phonchai, Phongsakorn Kunhorm, Nipha Chaicharoenaudomrung, Parinya Noisa
Cordyceps is a genus of entomopathogenic fungus that includes about 600 species. The genus Cordyceps is classified under the order Hypocreales; family Ophiocordycipitaceae and phylum; Ascomycota (Tuli et al.2014a). Cordyceps is a genus of entomopathogenic fungus that includes about 600 species. Cordyceps militaris is a species of medicinal mushroom capable of producing the bioactive compound Cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) (Tuli et al.2014b), which has pharmaceutical effects for antioxidant (Olatunji et al.2016), anti-inflammatory (Yang et al.2020, Lei et al.2018), and tissue remodelling process effects (Kim et al.2021). Cordycepin can be produced from cordyceps in both submerged culture and solid-state fermentation, resulting in a range of biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides, cordycepin, adenosine, amino acid, organic selenium, ergosterol, sterols, cordycepic acid, superoxide dismutase, and vitamins (Shih et al.2007).
Protective Effect of Cordycepin on Experimental Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Published in Journal of Investigative Surgery, 2018
Mehmet Hanifi Okur, Serkan Arslan, Bahattin Aydogdu, Hikmet Zeytun, Erol Basuguy, Mehmet Serif Arslan, Ibrahim Ibiloglu, Ibrahim Kaplan
TT is a urologic emergency that results in testicular atrophy, germ cell damage, and infertility [5]. Urgent surgical intervention is crucial because loss of the testicle is related to the duration of TT. Numerous agents have been used to reduce IR damage in TT [6–8]. Cordycepin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects [13, 14]. Turner et al. detected an increase in the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β after reperfusion of the testicle. They reported that the inflammation was aggravated by the release of these pro-inflammatory cytokines from NO and macrophages after reperfusion. Such mediators are effective on neutrophils stimulated by the cytokines and FOR reperfusion damage [18, 19]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, are important for testicular function. It has been reported that these mediators play an important role in spermatogonial proliferation, germ cell differentiation, and steroidogenesis. In previous studies, pro-inflammatory cytokines were used as early indicators of IR [19]. Minutoli et al. detected an increase in TNF-α and IL-1 levels after IR; TNF-α levels were maximal 3-h after IR [20].
Cordycepin mitigates spermatogenic and redox related expression in H2O2-exposed Leydig cells and regulates testicular oxidative apoptotic signalling in aged rats
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Spandana Rajendra Kopalli, Kyu-Min Cha, Jae Youl Cho, Si-Kwan Kim, Sushruta Koppula
Cordyceps (Cordycipitaceae) is a well-known traditional medicinal mushroom with immense biological activities including immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities (Tuli et al. 2014; Olatunji et al. 2018). Out of various species, Cordyceps militaris Linn., is widely used in Asian countries, including China and Korea, to maintain health and boost immunity (Tuli et al. 2014). One of the active constituents of C. militaris, cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine), a purine nucleoside derivative is a valuable medicament and nutrient with immense health benefits (Tuli et al. 2014; Olatunji et al. 2018; Radhi et al. 2021). Recent reports indicated that cordycepin possessed anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects (Nallathamby et al. 2015; Olatunji et al. 2016; Wang et al. 2019; Xu et al. 2019; Lee et al. 2020; Jin et al. 2021). In relation to reproductive health benefits, cordycepin has been proved to enhance sexual function, treat erectile dysfunction, and acts as a sexual agonist in male reproductive problems (Chen et al. 2017). Previous studies from our laboratory also showed that cordycepin attenuated age-related oxidative stress and sexual dysfunction by improving the sperm kinematics, altering the antioxidative enzyme status, and reproductive hormones in experimental aged rats (Ramesh et al. 2012; Kopalli et al. 2019). However, the beneficial effects of cordycepin related to oxidative stress-induced changes in Leydig cells and the spermatogenic molecular aspects involved have not been reported.
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