Fructificatio Cyathi Stercorei et Cyathi Striati
Aliases：Bird's Nest Fungus (common name); Dung Bird's Nest Fungus (Cyathus stercoreus); Fluted Bird's Nest Fungus (Cyathus striatus).
Bird's Nest Fungus is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. This product is the fruiting body of the fungi Cyathus stercoreus and Cyathus striatus in the family Nidulariaceae. It is an authenticated variety of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Terminology Standardization and Promotion Project, and is recorded in Chinese Materia Medica, the China Medical Information Query Platform, and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Fortifies the Stomach and relieves pain.
Indications
Stomach Qi pain; indigestion.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Bird's Nest Fungus possesses the following significant pharmacological activities: Antibacterial effect: The secondary metabolite of Bird's Nest Fungus—cyathin—inhibits the growth of certain actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungi. Domestic reports indicate that Cyathus stercoreus and Cyathus striatus markedly inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. The n-butanol extract of the fermentation broth of Nidula niveotomentosa strongly inhibits Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Paecilomyces variotii, and Penicillium sp. Its MIC against Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium funiculosum, and Penicillium chrysogenum is 6.25 mg/mL. Some Bird's Nest Fungi show good control efficacy against Sclerotinia rot of rapeseed. Anti-inflammatory effect: Cyathane diterpenes cyathin I, compound 2, and erinacine I, isolated from the liquid culture of Cyathus hookeri, inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages, with IC₅₀ values of 15.5, 52.3, and 16.8 μM, respectively. Five new cyathane diterpenes, cyathins D–H, isolated from Cyathus africanus, potently inhibit NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, with IC₅₀ values as low as 2.57 μM. Thirty-eight cyathane diterpenes isolated from Cyathus africanus have been investigated for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor active constituents. Stimulation of nerve growth factor synthesis: Cyathane diterpenes possess nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis-stimulating activity. Compounds 1–5 isolated from the culture of Cyathus striatus CBPFE A06 displayed encouraging neurotrophic activity in PC-12 cells at 5 μM while significantly inhibiting NO production. Polyoxygenated cyathane diterpenes isolated from Cyathus africanus possess neurotrophic and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Antitumor effect: Cyathane diterpenes isolated from the solid fermentation products of Cyathus africanus were evaluated for in vitro antitumor activity, and some compounds exhibited antitumor activity. Antioxidant effect: Novel polyketides cyathusals A, B, C and cyathuscavins A, B, C isolated from the fermented mycelium of Cyathus stercoreus possess free radical scavenging activity and protect supercoiled plasmid DNA from Fe²⁺/H₂O₂-induced breakage. Note: Modern pharmacological research on Bird's Nest Fungus has been relatively in-depth. Its cyathane diterpenoids have been confirmed as characteristic active constituents of this genus, possessing multiple bioactivities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, antitumor, and antioxidant effects. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use.
Ingredients
The fruiting body of Bird's Nest Fungus mainly contains the following active constituents: Cyathane diterpenoids (principal active constituents): Cyathin I Cyathins D–H Erinacine I Cyafricanins A–K Stercorins A–C Neocyathin S and T Cyathstines A–K Sesquiterpenoids: Drimane-type sesquiterpenes (stercorins D and E) Sesquiterpenoids with diverse skeletons Polyketides: Cyathusals A, B, and C Cyathuscavins A, B, and C Pulvinatal Others: Striatin A, B, and C Striatal A and B Glochidone, glochidonol, and glochidiol Cyathic acid and striatic acid Cyathadonic acid and epistriatic acid Schizandronol and 7α-hydroxyschizandronol Note: The genus Cyathus is a major source of cyathane diterpenoids. To date, 185 compounds have been reported from fungi of this genus, mainly cyathane diterpenoids, which possess significant antibacterial and anti-neurodegenerative activities.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 9–15 g; or ground into powder, 6–9 g.
Contraindications
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use it under the guidance of a physician. It should not be taken in excessive doses.
Medicinal Parts
Fruiting body.
Selection & Storage
After sun-drying, store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight.
