Purification of polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris and their anti-hypoxic effect

Acute mountain sickness, one of the most common altitude diseases, causes lung and brain injury. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-hypoxic effect of purified polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps militaris. The aqueous extract of Cordyceps militaris was purified progressively through a DEAE-52 cellulose anion exchange column and a Sepharose G-100 column. The fraction CMN1, with a molecular weight of 37842 Da, was the main fraction obtained and its chemical composition and structural characteristics were determined. CMN1 was found to have a monosaccharide composition of L-rhamnose, L-arabinose, D-mannose, D-galactose. The backbone of CMN1 comprised (1 -> 2) and (1 -> 3) linkages, with branched (1 -> 6) and (1 -> 4) linkages. The anti-hypoxic effects of CMN1 were determined using a sodium nitrite toxicosis test, acute cerebral ischemic/hypoxic test and normobarie hypoxia test. CMN1 (0.5 g/kg) possessed a similar anti-hypoxic effect to rhodiola oral liquid. Overall, the Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide, CMN1, was identified as an effective agent against hypoxia.