In humans, a number of such receptors have been identified, as dectin-1, complement receptor 3, scavenger receptors, lactosylceramide, and toll-like receptors. Among the immune responses initiated by these polymers are the activation of leucocytes, stimulation of phagocytic and cytotoxic activities, and production of pro-inflammatory mediators by cells of the immune system. The antitumor and immunestimulating activities are the most studied effects, although some mushroom extracts have presented anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a beneficial host response to infection and to tissue injury that ultimately leads to the restoration of normal tissue structure and function. A normal inflammatory response is self-limiting, although prolonged inflammation contributes to pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases and to cancer. Some authors demonstrated that 70% ethanolic extracts from Cordyceps militaris showed topical anti-inflammatory activity in the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. The hot water extract from the same mushroom have also presented antiinflammatory effect in vitro, by the reduction of LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-a, and IL-6 secretion by RAW 264.7 cells. The mushroom Cordyceps militaris is vastly appreciated for its medicinal properties, although little is known about the effect of its polysaccharides. Therefore, this study aims to isolate and characterize its b-glucan and evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of its polysaccharide extracts and the purified b-glucan. Ischemic necrosis of the femoral head is a relentless process in which ischemia and subsequent defective bone repair lead to collapse of the femoral head. INFH can lead to permanent deformity of the femoral head, severely compromised hip joint longevity, and production of premature end-stage osteoarthritis as early as the third decade of life. Because total hip replacement is unsuitable for the young, active patient population, the goal of early treatment for INFH is to prevent the development of femoral head deformities. The use of biological agents to preserve the femoral head and avoid joint replacement surgery is currently under investigation. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 promotes the commitment of pluripotent mesenchymal cells to the osteoblast Remdesivir AbMole lineage by producing signals that stimulate the specific transcriptional programs required for bone formation. BMP-2 has been shown to stimulate osteoblast recruitment, new bone formation, and angiogenesis under fracture-healing and spinal fusion conditions. Despite the demonstrated positive effects of BMPs on bone healing, the universal use of recombinant human BMPs is tempered due to high cost and lingering safety concerns including vertebral osteolysis, ectopic bone formation.