Find in Library

<i>Cordyceps cicadae</i>, a medicinal fungus that is abundant in bioactive compounds such as N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine (HEA) and polysaccharides, possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and nerve damage recovery properties. Deep ocean water (DOW) contains minerals that can be absorbed and transformed into organic forms by fungi fermentation. Recent studies have shown that culturing <i>C. cicadae</i> in DOW can enhance its therapeutic benefits by increasing the levels of bioactive compounds and minerals’ bioavailibility. In this study, we investigated the effects of DOW-cultured <i>C. cicadae</i> (DCC) on brain damage and memory impairment induced by D-galactose in rats. Our results indicate that DCC and its metabolite HEA can improve memory ability and exhibit potent antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging in D-galactose-induced aging rats (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, DCC can mitigate the expression of inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), thereby preventing brain aging. Furthermore, DCC showed a significant decrease in the expression of the aging-related proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and presenilin 1 (PS1). By reducing brain oxidation and aging-related factors, DOW-cultured <i>C. cicadae</i> demonstrate enhanced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, making it a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and treating age-related brain damage and cognitive impairment.