OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Cordyceps militaris in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS The COPD model was established using C57 mice by combining cigarette smoke exposure and intranasal lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Lung-function indexes were used as the pharmacological indicators. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the mechanism of Cordyceps militaris in improving COPD. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to verify the related mechanism in lung tissues.

RESULTS Cordyceps militaris significantly improved several lung function data such as peak inspiratory flow rate (PIF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), tidal volume (TV), mid-respiratory flow rate (EF50), inspiratory capacity (IC), and respiratory system compliance (Crs) of COPD mice (P<0.05). Network pharmacology studies suggested that the improvement of COPD by Cordyceps militaris might be related to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The results of PCR and Western blot showed that Cordyceps militaris significantly reduced the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-12 mRNA and protein in lung tissue (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION Cordyceps militaris could improve six lung functions of mice, including PIF, PEF, EF50, TV, IC, and Crs, by reducing the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-12, thus achieving the therapeutic effect on COPD.