What key mechanism is demonstrated by C. pruinosa extracts against inflammation in macrophages?

Inhibiting key inflammatory mediators like TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) by suppressing the NF-κB pathway.

The anti-inflammatory potential of Cordyceps, investigated across several species including C. pruinosa, is linked to specific molecular pathways. In laboratory settings involving activated macrophages, extracts from C. pruinosa have shown the ability to actively suppress key mediators that drive the inflammatory response. Specifically, these extracts inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). This inhibition occurs through the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is a critical regulator of inflammation genes. By dampening these specific signaling molecules, the fungus helps to temper the inflammatory response.