Nucleosides, a valuable chemical marker for quality control in traditional Chinese medicine Cordyceps

Cordyceps, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is an endoparasitic and/or symbiotic macrofungus in the body of insect and other arthropod, and has received increasing attention worldwide due to its rarity and outstanding curative effects for different diseases. Recent years, however, the counterfeits and mimics of Cordyceps are frequently found in markets because of its scarce in nature and high in price. Therefore, quality control of Cordyceps and its bioproducts is very important to ensure their safety and efficacy. Nucleoside is recognized as a major active component of Cordyceps, and even is used as chemical marker for quality control of Cordyceps. In this present review, recent studies and associated patents, with regard to the chemical marker nucleosides for quality control of Cordyceps and its bioproducts, including nucleoside components, pharmacological activities, and analytical methods were reviewed and discussed thereof. Also, developing trends in the field have been appraised.