Organic Annulohypoxylon Stygium
Also known as: Annulohypoxylon stygium, white-rot filamentous fungus
Overview
Annulohypoxylon stygium is a white-rot fungus belonging to the family Xylariaceae, frequently found in both natural and artificial environments. It is often observed in a symbiotic relationship with the edible mushroom Tremella fuciformis. This fungus plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling due to its ability to degrade lignin and carbohydrates. A. stygium is recognized for producing a variety of secondary metabolites, including melanin, compounds that confer resistance to oxidative stress, glycohydrolases, and volatile organic compounds such as 2-phenylethanol and 1,8-cineole. These metabolites are of interest for their potential bioactive properties. Current research on A. stygium is primarily focused on its microbiological and biochemical characteristics, with growing interest in its metabolites for potential applications in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial sectors. However, it is important to note that there are no systematic reviews or meta-analyses specifically on A. stygium as a supplement ingredient, and its use in this context is not established.
Benefits
Research on Annulohypoxylon stygium primarily highlights its potential for producing various bioactive compounds, rather than direct human health benefits as a supplement. The fungus is known to produce 2-phenylethanol (2-PE), a compound valued for its fragrance and antimicrobial properties, with optimized fungal biosynthesis demonstrating high-efficiency production. Another significant metabolite is 1,8-cineole, a monoterpene with known pest control, medicinal, and biofuel additive properties, observed in closely related Annulohypoxylon species. Furthermore, crude extracts and fractions from A. stygium have shown α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects by inhibiting carbohydrate digestion enzymes. IC50 values for purified compounds were reported around 676 µg/mL, indicating moderate potency. However, it is crucial to emphasize that all these findings are based on in vitro studies and fungal metabolite profiles; there are no clinical trials or human studies available to support these benefits in humans. Therefore, the clinical significance and effect sizes for human populations are currently unknown, and any potential benefits are inferred from laboratory-based bioactivity assays.
How it works
Annulohypoxylon stygium exerts its potential effects through the production of various secondary metabolites. These compounds are synthesized via complex biosynthetic gene clusters within the fungus, including pathways for phenolic compounds and terpenes. For instance, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity observed in A. stygium extracts is likely due to phenolic compounds interfering with carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, thereby potentially reducing glucose absorption. The fungus also produces 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) through metabolic pathways that convert amino acids into aromatic alcohols. Volatile compounds like 1,8-cineole, identified in related species, are believed to act as biofumigants and nematicides by disrupting the physiological processes of pests. However, the exact mechanisms of absorption and bioavailability of these fungal metabolites in humans are currently unknown, as no pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted.
Side effects
Currently, there is no human safety data or clinical trials available for Annulohypoxylon stygium or its extracts when used as supplements. Consequently, there are no reported side effects or toxicity data in humans. As a source of fungal metabolites, the potential for allergenicity or the presence of mycotoxins cannot be definitively excluded, although such issues have not been documented in the limited research available. Due to the complete absence of clinical use data, there are no known drug interactions or contraindications associated with A. stygium. Consumers should exercise extreme caution, as the safety profile for human consumption is entirely unestablished. Without comprehensive toxicological studies and human trials, any use of A. stygium or its derivatives as a supplement carries unknown risks. It is not recommended for human consumption until rigorous safety assessments are conducted.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for Annulohypoxylon stygium or its extracts for use as supplements. All current research is limited to in vitro studies, which do not provide information translatable to human dosage. For example, effective concentrations for α-glucosidase inhibition were observed in the high microgram per milliliter range in laboratory settings, but how this translates to an effective or safe human dose is entirely unknown. There is no data available regarding optimal dosage, maximum safe dose, appropriate timing of administration, or suitable formulation for human consumption. Without any clinical trials or pharmacokinetic studies, any attempt to determine a dosage would be purely speculative and potentially unsafe. Therefore, no recommendations for dosage can be provided.
FAQs
Is Organic Annulohypoxylon stygium safe for human consumption?
No, there is no clinical safety data available for Annulohypoxylon stygium. Its use as a supplement is not established, and its safety for human consumption is currently unknown.
What benefits can be expected from Annulohypoxylon stygium?
Based on in vitro studies, potential benefits include antimicrobial, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. However, these are not clinically proven benefits in humans.
How should Annulohypoxylon stygium be taken?
There are no established dosing or administration guidelines for Annulohypoxylon stygium. Its use as a supplement is not supported by research, and no recommendations can be made.
Is Annulohypoxylon stygium supported by clinical research?
No, there are no randomized controlled trials, human studies, or meta-analyses available to support the efficacy or safety of Annulohypoxylon stygium as a supplement.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11180157/ – This experimental study focused on optimizing the biosynthesis of 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) by Annulohypoxylon stygium. It demonstrated the fungus's high-efficiency production of 2-PE, suggesting a potential sustainable method for industrial production of this compound. The study is valuable for understanding the fungus's metabolic capabilities but does not provide clinical data.
- https://www.maxapress.com/article/id/62a97417ce60b93cd0ce64dc – This experimental bioactivity assay investigated the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of crude extracts and fractions from Annulohypoxylon stygium. It identified phenolic compounds with moderate inhibitory activity (IC50 ~676 µg/mL), indicating potential antidiabetic properties. The study provides good chemical characterization but is limited to in vitro findings with no human data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11556029/ – This research involved genomic analysis and volatile compound profiling of an Annulohypoxylon species closely related to A. stygium. It identified the production of 1,8-cineole, a compound with nematicidal activity. While valuable for understanding the biochemical potential of related fungi, this study does not directly examine A. stygium or provide clinical evidence.
- https://imafungus.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.5598/imafungus.2018.09.01.13 – This source provides taxonomic and ecological information about Annulohypoxylon stygium, including its classification and association with Tremella fuciformis. It contributes to the general understanding of the fungus's characteristics and natural habitat, serving as foundational knowledge for further research.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00922 – This study, while not directly about A. stygium, provides context on the biosynthetic gene clusters in fungi for producing secondary metabolites. It helps explain the underlying mechanisms by which fungi like A. stygium might synthesize compounds with potential bioactivity, contributing to the 'how it works' section.