针灸和草药（英文）2026，Vol.6Issue(2)：261-292,32.DOI:10.1097/HM9.0000000000000195
冬虫夏草:从雪域秘境到科学前沿的解码之旅
Ophiocordyceps sinensis:decoding its journey—from snowy legends to modern science
摘要
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps sinensis(Berk)Sacc.(O.sinensis;Family:Clavicipitaceae;synonym:Cordyceps sinensis)is a fungus that is revered in ancient Tibetan folklore as a"miraculous species that becomes a worm in winter and a grass in summer"and renowned as the"elixir of life gifted"by the snow-capped region.Its evolutional awareness and utilization span both traditional Chinese medicine practices and modern biomedical research,rendering it a quintessential example of symbiotic entomo-fungal biological resource development.Extensive research on the biological characteristics,active constituents,pharmacological effects,and underlying mechanisms of O.sinensis has generated significant breakthroughs in recent years.From"heavenly elixir"to a vital tonic in imperial cuisine,and from its symbiotic life cycle to its current prominence in modern pharmacological research and clinical applications,this fungus has nurtured both the cultural legends and survival wisdom of the Plateau ancestors and reflected the long journey of contemporary scientific exploration and industrialization.This review traces the journey of O.sinensis from traditional empirical applications to scientific validation,focusing on its biological characteristics,extraction and separation techniques for key bioactive constituents,and its pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms in antitumor activity,immunomodulation,renoprotection,antioxidant properties,and anti-aging effects,and summarizes the current status of its clinical applications.Furthermore,this review examines the challenges confronting current research on O.sinensis,including resource conservation and sustainable utilization,quality control and standardization,differences between artificially cultivated and wild-harvested specimens,further elucidating its mechanisms of action and outlining prospects for future research directions.关键词
冬虫夏草/活性成分/药理作用/临床应用/提取分离技术Key words
Active constituents/Clinical applications/Extraction and separation techniques/Ophiocordyceps sinensis/Pharmacological effects引用本文复制引用
李桂瑜,陈紫薇,田韦韦,刘阳,杨思晔,刘丽,魏平,赵军宁,华桦..冬虫夏草:从雪域秘境到科学前沿的解码之旅[J].针灸和草药（英文）,2026,6(2):261-292,32.基金项目
This research was funded by the Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Research Special Major Project(grant no.25ZDAZX007)and Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industry Innovation Team Special Project(grant no.20220009). （grant no.25ZDAZX007）
