## 1 Introduction  
The genus _Cordyceps_, known since 2000 B.C., includes fungi that parasitize insects and are highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for their medicinal properties [1]. Among its species, _Cordyceps militaris_, classified within Ascomycetes, is recognized for its diverse and potent medicinal properties and plays a critical role in herbal medicine, particularly in East Asia [2]. It is extensively utilized both as a traditional tonic and for its therapeutic properties, which are attributed to its bioactive components like cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides, ergosterol, and mannitol (Figure 1) [3]. These compounds contribute to a variety of physiological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunomodulating effects, making _C. militaris_ a valuable medicinal resource [3; 4; 5]. The genus _Cordyceps_ comprises over 400 species of entomopathogenic fungi, and research interest in these fungi has significantly increased, as reflected by the rise in related publications on ScienceDirect, from 34 in 2008 to 199 by 2023. This surge in research activity highlights the growing scientific and commercial interest in these fungi. The study of _C. millitaris_ is widespread, with substantial research output from countries including Australia, China, Germany, and Japan, among others (Figure 2). This global research expansion underscores the potential of _Cordyceps_ in various applications, particularly due to their diverse bioactive compounds [6]. However, the efficacy of these compounds can greatly vary depending on the cultivation conditions and host species, posing challenges for standardization and optimization in medical use [7; 8; 9]. For example, studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of _C. millitaris_ are largely due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which are implicated in aging and various chronic diseases [10]. The anti-inflammatory capabilities of _C. millitaris_ have been demonstrated via its potential to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulate immune responses [11]. Additionally, its anti-cancer properties have been highlighted in studies showing the fungus's ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and inhibit tumor metastasis [12]. However, these effects, while promising, are still under investigation and should be interpreted with caution. Moreover, the immunomododulating properties of _C. millitaris_ have been linked to its polysaccharides, which are known to enhance immune responses by activating macrophages, T-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells [13]. Despite these findings, it is important to note that while _C. millitaris_ exhibits these biological activities, the results from laboratory and clinical studies should be considered as indicative of potential rather than definitive therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, ongoing research is necessary to further elucidate these mechanisms and validate the efficacy of _C. millitaris_ in clinical settings. The life cycle of _C. millitaris_ begins when its spores infect an appropriate insect host, initiating a process where the fungus develops hyphae that consume the host's internal  
Figure 1: Chemical structures of cordycopin and adenosine. Figure 2: Trends in global research interest on _Cordyceps millitaris_ by year (**a**) and by country (**b**) across ScienceDirect and SpringerLink databases. organs, leading to its death and the emergence of a fruit body from the host's remains. Known as the stroma, this fruit body houses the perithecia, which produce spores for reproduction. This intricate development of fruit bodies is significantly influenced by environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and the host's nutritional profile, with optimal conditions ranging from 20 \({}^{\circ}\)C to 25 \({}^{\circ}\)C and relative humidity above 90% [14; 15; 16; 17].