Immunomodulation and Protective Effects of <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> Extract Against <i>Candida albicans</i> Infection in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> Larvae
<i>Cordyceps militaris</i>-derived formulations are currently used for multiple purposes because of their medical properties, especially immune system modulation. This study analyzes the inhibitory effects of <i>C. militaris</i> aqueous extract on <i>Candida albicans<...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/882 |
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| Summary: | <i>Cordyceps militaris</i>-derived formulations are currently used for multiple purposes because of their medical properties, especially immune system modulation. This study analyzes the inhibitory effects of <i>C. militaris</i> aqueous extract on <i>Candida albicans</i> infections and the immune response in larvae of the greater wax moth <i>Galleria mellonella</i> (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Larvae exhibited melanization within 1 h of being infected with <i>C. albicans</i> inoculum at a concentration of 10<sup>6</sup> cells/larvae, and died within 24 h from a lethal dose. Aqueous extract of <i>C. militaris</i> proved to be nontoxic at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.125 mg/larvae, and had the greatest ability to prolong the survival of larvae infected with a sublethal dose of <i>C. albicans</i> at a concentration of 10<sup>5</sup> cells/larvae. Moreover, the number of hemocytes in the hemolymph of <i>G. mellonella</i> increased after infection with <i>C. albicans</i> and treatment with the aqueous extract of <i>C. militaris</i> at 1, 24, and 48 h by 1.21 × 10<sup>7</sup>, 1.23 × 10<sup>7</sup>, and 1.4 × 10<sup>7</sup> cells/100 µL, respectively. The highest number of hemocytes was recorded after treatment of infected <i>G. mellonella</i> with the extract for 48 h. Transcriptional upregulation of the immune system was observed in certain antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), showing that the relative expression of <i>galiomicin</i>, <i>gallerimycin</i>, and <i>lysozyme</i> genes were upregulated as early as 1 h after infection. Therefore, we conclude that <i>C. militaris</i> aqueous extract can modulate the immune system of <i>G. mellonella</i> and protect against infection from <i>C. albicans</i>. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |