Antiplatelet Effects of Cordycepin-Enriched WIB-801CE from Cordyceps militaris

A species of the fungal genus Cordyceps has been used as an ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we prepared cordycepin-enriched WIB-801CE, an ethanol extract from culture solution of Cordyceps militaris-hypha, and evaluated its antiplatelet effects on human platelet aggregation. WIB-801CE dose-dependently inhibited ADP-, collagen-, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. These antiplatelet effects by WIB-801CE were associated with the attenuation of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) production and serotonin release by ADP, collagen, and thrombin. The inhibition of TXA₂ production by WIB-801CE was due to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1, TXA₂ synthase, and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ activity. Therefore, these data suggest that WIB-801CE may be a beneficial component against protection from platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.