# A Review on the Botany, Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities, Toxicology, and Quality Control of the Medicinal Fungus Lasiosphaera calvatia

## TL;DR

This review summarizes the medicinal uses, chemical composition, and safety of Lasiosphaera calvatia, a traditional Chinese medicine fungus.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of LC's phytochemistry and pharmacology, highlighting its bioactive compounds and potential for further research.

## Key findings

- LC contains bioactive compounds like sterols, polysaccharides, and polypeptides with low side effects.
- Traditional uses of LC align with modern pharmacological findings such as wound healing and anti-cancer properties.
- The review supports LC's potential for pediatric use and future scientific exploration.

## Abstract

Lasiosphaera calvatia (LC), referring to the dry fruiting bodies of certain puffball fungi, has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Documented in the Mingyi Bielu, its traditional medicinal properties encompass clearing heat, detoxification, reducing swelling, and stopping bleeding. Modern applications include promoting wound healing, anti-cancer therapy, lowering blood sugar, relieving coughs, and combating HIV, among others. This comprehensive review explores the evolving scientific understanding of LC, covering its botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control. A wide range of chemical components, including steroids, phenolics, volatile compounds, amino acids, polysaccharides, and polypeptides, have been isolated and identified using diverse analytical techniques. Among these, sterols (particularly ergosterol derivatives), polysaccharides, and polypeptides are considered the major bioactive constituents. The active ingredients of LC are associated with relatively few side effects, a characteristic that supports its use in pediatric populations and underscores its significant research potential. These findings validate the traditional uses of LC and lay the groundwork for further scientific exploration. The sources utilized in this study encompass Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI site, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and doctoral and master’s theses.