This fungus grows on insects and devours them. It belongs to a group of fungi commonly called ' vegetable wasps and plant worms'. Specifically, Isaria has been used in chinese medicine for centuries. There are numerous pictures of this fungi posted on the web. Here's one from http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/jun2006.html
I read two pharmacology research papers about Isaria that indicate following information:
1. A chemical compound called FTY720 was extracted from Isaria by a Japanese group in 2000.
2. This FTY720 has been found to be an immunomodulator. This means it has an effect on the immune system (both stimulation or suppression).
3. Experiments have shown that FTY720 makes majority of white blood cells ( mainlyT and B cells) move into the lymph nodes from the general circulation ( this known as 'homing' of WBCs).
4. This action of FTY720 doesn't effect RBcs and other WBCs.
5. T cells ( specially CD4+ types) are one of the main culprits of myelin damage in the Central nervous system.
6. This compound has been put to clinical trials for MS. The phase 2 trial shows that the FTY720 treated MS patients had a lower relapse rate in a year compared with non-treated MS patients. According to that review, FTY720 showed very promising results.
7. There are phase 3 trials being conducted to prove the effectiveness of this compound.
8. Also note that MS patients that took FTY720 showed some side effects like- slowing a heart beat, nausea, headache and an upset stomach.
9. Novartis is going to file for its regulation as an MS drug by end 2009 (www.pharma.us.novartis.com/newsroom/press-release.jsp?...) www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/.../1344775.shtml ).
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