Anti-inflammation effects of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium in focal cerebral ischemic injury rats.

Brain ischemia-reperfusion (IR) triggers a complex series of biochemical events including inflammation. To test the neuroprotective efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium (CSM) in a rat model of focal cerebral IR, ischemic animals were treated with CSM. They were evaluated at 24 h after reperfusion for neurological deficit score. Furthermore, the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory potential of CSM in the regulation of nuclear factor kappaB, polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. CSM significantly inhibited IR-induced up-regulation of NF-kappaB activation and the brain production of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, ICAM-1, and COX-2. Moreover, CSM suppressed infiltration of PMN. The study demonstrates the neuroprotective potential of CSM inhibition through anti-inflammation in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion.