ABSTRACT
Fungi are capable of producing an array of compounds and their derivatives which are useful as potential medicines to treat several human ailments. Metabolites produced by different fungi are of significant value in traditional as well as modern medicinal products. This chapter deals with various aspects of medicinal properties of entomopathogenic Cordyceps and allied fungi, including their metabolites, biological activities and biotechnological applications. Cordyceps belongs to the division Ascomycotina, Class Sordariomycetes, Order Hypocrales and Family Cordycipitaceae. Diversity in Cordyceps is well known with respect to morphological features and pharmacological compounds. The diversity in Cordyceps is highly complex and the prototype species is actually Ophiocordyceps.
