Though it has ugly appearance, its scientific name is Xylaria nigripes (Klotzsch) Cooke, and locals also call it O Linh ginseng.
In medicine, it is a medicinal herb that has sedative effects, treats insomnia, stops bleeding, reduces blood pressure, burns…
Additionally, it can also help improve memory, protect the brain, nourish the kidneys…
For people after surgery, after giving birth or during breastfeeding, this is a miraculous medicinal herb.
Xylaria nigripes (XN) is a medicinal fungus traditionally used for treating insomnia, trauma, and as a nerve tonic. Scientific studies have shown that XN has a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. It also shows promise in improving insulin sensitivity, combating tumors, and preventing memory impairment. Additionally, XN has been studied for its antidepressant effects, particularly in patients with epilepsy.
These bioactivities of XN are attributed to different chemical compounds reported in XN such as intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides, adenosine, total polyphenols, and triterpenoids in mycelia.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can increase oxidative stress and induce apoptosis by initiating mitochondrial dysfunctions in PC12 cells. In the present study, PC12 cells treated with H2O2 were used as the cell model and XN mycelia extracts produced from mycelia by submerged fermentation were evaluated for their protective effects on neural cells affected by oxidative damage.