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White and yellow bacteria growing on cicada pupae: Do you know how this parasitic fungus is changing the world of medicine?
During hot and humid summers, a unique white-yellow bacterial colony appears on cicada pupae, called Isaria cicadae. This fungus hosts cicada larvae and has a long history as a widely used medicinal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Although most people don’t know much about this fungus, its potential impact on the medical world is thought-provoking.
Since the fifth century, Isaria cicadae has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and is known as the "cicada flower".
Ecology and distribution
Isaria cicadae Most of them grow in low altitude areas and like warm and humid environments. They are usually found in bamboo forests, broad-leaf forests, coniferous forests and other areas. The fungus is distributed from China الى Asia, and its influence has spread to Europe and North America, showing its strong adaptability to habitats. This means that the fungus is not solely dependent on one specific geographical area for its survival, but is able to adapt to the challenges of different environments.
Life cycle
The life cycle of this fungus is surprising. When the climate is suitable, the spores of Isaria cicadae will attach to the surface of the cicada larvae and begin to quickly invade the cicada's body and absorb nutrients. This process takes about two to three days, and when the cicada larvae die, the fungus forms a fruit structure that grows out of the soil.
The regeneration of fungi is carried out through asexual reproduction, and the specific reproduction process includes from underground tillers to protruding bacterial structures.
Medical properties
Isaria cicadae has a profound history in traditional Chinese medicine, and its medicinal properties have attracted great attention in the modern medical community. Research shows that it has potential benefits such as pain relief, anti-fatigue, and anti-tumor benefits. Still, the fungus's existence is hampered by factors such as its rarity and slow reproduction rate, which serve as obstacles to further research.
Although certain chemicals such as
oosporeinmay cause problems in some species, in most cases their toxicity is not significant.
Chemical composition
In this fungus, scientists have identified a variety of chemical components, including nucleosides and nucleotides, steroids (such as ergosterol and mannitol), cyclic peptides, polysaccharides, fatty acids, etc. These ingredients not only have extremely high value in traditional medicine, but also exhibit unique pharmacological activities in modern scientific research.
Overview and Outlook
As a "cicada", the story of Isaria cicadae is not only a miracle of biology, but also part of the medical cycle. However, due to the controversial nature of its scientific classification, many potential applications still require further exploration and validation. In the future, this fungus may become a source of inspiration for the development of a wider range of drugs, and even change our understanding of natural medicine. So, are you ready for this change?
