Lasiosphaera fenzlii

Lasiosphaera fenzlii (Puffball Mushroom / Ma Bo): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity, Taxonomy, and Natural Source

1.1 Scientific Nomenclature and Classification

Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich. is a macrofungus (large fungus) belonging to the order Agaricales, family Lycoperdaceae (puffball fungi). Lasiosphaera fenzlii belongs to Agaricomycetidae, Agaricales, Lycoperdaceae, and is a large-type fungus widely distributed throughout China. It was first named Eriosphaera fenzlii Reichardt in the Verhandlungen der Zoologisch Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien in 1866, before Kreisel revised its generic assignment. The name Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich., as cited in the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, was published by Reichardt in Plantae Novarae Austriacae in 1870; the epithet fenzlii is an eponym honoring the Austrian botanist Eduard Fenzl.

In Chinese medicine and pharmacopoeial texts, the drug derived from L. fenzlii and two closely related species is collectively known as Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia (馬勃, Ma Bo). Three source species are listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2025): Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich., Calvatia gigantea (Batsch ex Pers.) Lloyd., and Calvatia lilacina (Mont. et Berk.) Lloyd.

1.2 Morphology

Lasiosphaera fenzlii is oblate or spherical, approximately 15–20 cm in diameter, with no base. Its peridium is gray-brown, papery, and often broken off in blocks or flakes. The body is light brown to brown, compact, and flexible, with gray-brown cottony filaments when shredded; its spores are easily released and appear as dust.

1.3 Medicinal Part and Common Preparations

The medicinal substance known as Ma Bo is the fruiting body (sporocarp) of the puffball mushroom Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich. The fruiting bodies are harvested when ripe in late summer or early autumn; the hard skin is peeled off, and the material is then cut into cubes and pounded into powder for medicinal use. The drug is gathered in autumn, and after removal of the skin it is sliced or ground. Standard preparations include:

• Dried powder: The drug is often used to treat traumatic bleeding in the form of powder.
• Decoction: The spores of Lasiosphaera fenzlii have been applied topically or used in decoctions, reflecting longstanding interest in its medicinal properties.
• Topical dressings: In traditional medicine, one of the most common uses is as a wound dressing, with the sporogenous tissue demonstrating effective hemostatic properties.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

The dry fruiting bodies of Lasiosphaera fenzlii and related species have been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with the tradition documented in the Mingyi Bielu; its traditional medicinal properties encompass clearing heat, detoxification, reducing swelling, and stopping bleeding.

In TCM, Ma Bo clears Lung Fire and benefits the throat, and stops bleeding when applied externally. It belongs to the category of "Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity." The drug is classified as pungent in flavor and neutral in property, and is considered to act on the Lung channel; it clears pathogenic Heat from the Lung, soothes sore throat, and arrests bleeding.

Specific classical therapeutic applications included:

• For cough, hoarseness, and sore throat due to Excessive Heat in the Lung, it is used alone or with Radix Scrophulariae (Xuan Shen) and Radix Isatidis (Ban Lan Gen), or with Mirabilitum (Mang Xiao), Rhizoma Belamcandae (She Gan), and Rhizoma Cimicifugae (Sheng Ma) in "The Rhizoma Belamcandae Decoction" (Shegan Tang).
• For hematemesis and epistaxis due to Excess Heat in the Blood, it is used alone or with other herbs, both orally and externally.
• Ma Bo clears heat-toxins from the upper body to benefit the lungs and throat; it is used in cases where sore throat and loss of voice are accompanied by cough with blood, and can be used internally or topically to stop bleeding caused by excess heat.

Ancient books and modern clinical records have found that Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia has the effect of treating chronic refractory wounds.

2.2 Hemostatic Use in Surgery and Clinical Practice

Pharmacological study has shown that Lasiosphaera fenzlii contains sodium phosphate, which has mechanical hemostatic properties; it has been used for oral cavity hemostasis and has been found to be no less effective than starch sponge or gelfoam for oral hemorrhagic conditions, and is also effective for epistaxis. In external hemostasis, it has also been made into an ointment to treat chilblains, furuncles, and joint swelling. The infusion of Lasiosphaera fenzlii has inhibitory action against Microsporon audouini and rust microsphere magnesium fungus; its decoction in in vitro tests has inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus pyocyaneus, and Bacillus proteus, with some inhibitory action also on certain pathogenic fungi.

A PubMed-indexed report documents the clinical application of hemostasis with Lasiosphaera fenzlii powder in prostatectomy.

2.3 Topical and Wound Applications

Historical records, particularly from East Asian herbal medicine, document the use of puffball fungi in wound healing, hemostasis, and as a general tonic. The sterile powder, or bacterial filament sponge prepared from Ma Bo cut into cubes after removing its coating, or bandage or gauze soaked in a suspension of the powder, has been applied and pressed on wounds to treat operative bleeding, socket bleeding, and nasal bleeding.

3. Key Chemical Constituents

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 from puffball fungi. Among these, sterols (particularly ergosterol derivatives), polysaccharides, and polypeptides are considered the major bioactive constituents.

A review of the active material basis and pharmacological mechanisms of Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia in wound treatment identified more than 100 types of chemical constituents, including steroids, proteins and peptides, amino acids, fatty acids and esters, sugars, and volatile components; the main pharmacological effects reported include hemostasis, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and antibacterial action.

3.1 Specific Constituents Identified in Lasiosphaera fenzlii

• Ergosterol and ergosterol derivatives: Column chromatography of the fungal methanol extract resulted in the isolation of six compounds identified as 5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (1), 5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3β-ol (2), 5α-ergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol (3), 5α-ergosta-7,22-dien-3-one (4), ergosta-7,22-dien-3β,5α,6β-triol (5), and 6-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-one (6).
• Isoindolones: Two new isoindolones, plus one known isoindolone, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Lasiosphaera fenzlii; their structures were determined as 4,6-dihydroxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (1), 4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-one (2), and clitocybin A (3).
• White-line-inducing principle (WLIP): WLIP, a lipodepsipeptide isolated from Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich., has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity.
• Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides contained in Lasiosphaera calvatia (the collective group including L. fenzlii) have attracted increasing attention due to their functions of protecting the liver and scavenging superoxide free radicals.
• Amino acids and nitrogen-containing compounds: Key constituents of Lasiosphaera fenzlii include leucine, tyrosine, urea, ergosterol, lipoids, calvacin, sodium phosphate, and silicic acid.

4. Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action

4.1 Hemostasis

Analysis has shown that Lasiosphaera fenzlii contains sodium phosphate, which exerts mechanical hemostatic activity, enabling its use for oral cavity hemostasis and epistaxis. The drug has a long record of topical application to bleeding wounds. It can stop bleeding by oral or topical administration, with topical use being more effective. Because of its slightly cold property, it is particularly suited for treating hemorrhage syndromes caused by blood heat such as hematemesis, hemoptysis, and epistaxis.

4.2 Antimicrobial Activity

WLIP, a lipodepsipeptide isolated from Lasiosphaera fenzlii, has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity. In vitro testing of the decoction has demonstrated inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus pyocyaneus, and Bacillus proteus, along with some activity against pathogenic fungi including Microsporon audouini. The strength of this evidence is limited to in vitro testing; no controlled human trials on antimicrobial endpoints have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

4.3 Anticancer / Cytotoxic Activity

The fruit body of Lasiosphaera fenzlii was found to show cytotoxicity on cancer cells in preliminary screening. Two ergosterol peroxide compounds isolated from the methanol extract showed cytotoxic activity, with compound 1 (5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol) being selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells and synergizing the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel on HeLa cells by increasing intracellular accumulation of paclitaxel in cancer cells but not in normal cells.

Bioactivity assays of the three isoindolones isolated from the ethyl acetate extract revealed that while none exhibited significant cytotoxicity against tumor cells directly, compound 1 (4,6-dihydroxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione) exhibited potent antiangiogenic activity by inhibiting the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in A549 cells.

Regarding the lipodepsipeptide WLIP: In vitro study reported the anti-cancer effects of WLIP on K562 cells. The results showed that WLIP exerted a strong anti-proliferative effect on K562 cells; WLIP increased apoptosis and induced G0/G1 arrest. Molecular docking modeling suggested that PPAR-γ might be the potential anti-tumor target of WLIP, a finding confirmed by WLIP increasing PPAR-γ activity in luciferase reporter assay and in Western blot; additionally, WLIP was able to down-regulate the expression of Bcl-xL and Cyclin-D1 in K562 cells.

All anticancer evidence to date is strictly in vitro (cell-line-based). No animal tumor models or human clinical trials on L. fenzlii specifically have been identified in peer-reviewed sources.

4.4 Anti-inflammatory Activity

Some in vitro and animal studies suggest potential for anti-inflammatory activities; extracts from related puffball mushrooms have demonstrated free radical scavenging ability and modulation of immune cell function in laboratory settings. The 2026 MDPI systematic review of the Lasiosphaera calvatia complex identifies anti-inflammatory pharmacological activity as one of the main documented effects across the group, though this remains at the preclinical stage for L. fenzlii specifically.

4.5 Antioxidant Activity

Polysaccharides from Lasiosphaera calvatia (including L. fenzlii) have attracted increasing attention for their functions including scavenging of superoxide free radicals. Initial analyses have identified the presence of polysaccharides, sterols, and other bioactive compounds which may contribute to antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. These findings are currently limited to laboratory-level assays.

4.6 Wound Healing

Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia has the effects of detumescence, hemostasis, and detoxification, and is used to treat traumatic bleeding in the form of powder. Ancient books and modern clinical records confirm the effect of treating chronic refractory wounds. Modern applications documented in the 2026 review include promoting wound healing, though rigorous randomized clinical trials dedicated to wound healing outcomes specifically in humans remain lacking in the identified literature.

4.7 Other Reported Activities

Other modern applications investigated across the Lasiosphaera calvatia group include anti-cancer therapy, lowering blood sugar, relieving coughs, and combating HIV. In a drug-screening study, fractions of Lasiosphaera fenzlii extract were identified as showing binding to GRP78 (a hepatitis B virus-relevant protein target) on herbochip screens, prompting further investigation; although L. fenzlii extract itself was not found to be cytotoxic to liver cells in that work, its binding characteristics were noted. These areas require further investigation; none have reached confirmed human clinical evidence.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Hemostasis — Evidence Assessment

Type of evidence: Clinical case series, traditional pharmacopoeia documentation, in vitro.

The hemostatic application is the best-supported use of L. fenzlii in clinical settings. A PubMed-listed clinical study documents the application of Lasiosphaera fenzlii powder for hemostasis in prostatectomy. Pharmacological review indicates it has demonstrated hemostatic effectiveness for oral cavity hemorrhagic conditions that is comparable to starch sponge or gelfoam, and that it is also effective for epistaxis and traumatic hemorrhage from incised, damp, and stab wounds. Specific formulations tested include the sterile powder applied directly, as well as gauze or bandage soaked in the powder suspension. Evidence strength: Moderate (traditional use well-documented, some clinical case data, pharmacopoeia recognition), but no large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been identified.

5.2 Throat and Respiratory Conditions — Evidence Assessment

Type of evidence: Traditional use documentation, in vitro antimicrobial data.

In TCM, the puffball mushroom is commonly used to treat swollen and sore throats. Medicinal uses have included nosebleeds, hemorrhaging, swollen and sore throats, fungal infections, bacterial infections including Staphylococcus aureus, coughs, and gingivitis. Evidence strength: The evidence for throat and respiratory applications is primarily traditional and historical. No prospective controlled human trials on these endpoints have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

5.3 Anticancer Activity — Evidence Assessment

Type of evidence: In vitro (cell lines) only.

The fruit body of Lasiosphaera fenzlii was found to show cytotoxicity on cancer cells in preliminary screening. Two ergosterol peroxide compounds isolated from the methanol extract showed cytotoxic activity, with compound 1 selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells and synergizing the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel on HeLa cells. A study reported anti-cancer effects of WLIP on K562 leukemia cells, demonstrating strong anti-proliferative effect, increased apoptosis, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest mediated through the PPAR-γ activation pathway, with down-regulation of Bcl-xL and Cyclin-D1. The study concluded WLIP might have potential implications in cancer prevention and treatment. An isoindolone fraction exhibited potent antiangiogenic activity by inhibiting VEGF secretion in A549 lung cancer cells in vitro. Evidence strength: Preliminary (in vitro only). All current anticancer data derives from cell-line experiments. No animal models specific to L. fenzlii and no human clinical trials have been identified.

5.4 Antimicrobial — Evidence Assessment

Type of evidence: In vitro.

In vitro testing has shown that the decoction of Lasiosphaera fenzlii has inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus pyocyaneus, and Bacillus proteus, as well as against certain pathogenic fungi. Evidence strength: Preliminary (in vitro only). No human infection trials have been identified.

5.5 Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory — Evidence Assessment

Type of evidence: In vitro and, for the broader group, some animal studies.

Polysaccharides from Lasiosphaera calvatia have been evaluated for functions including liver protection and superoxide free radical scavenging. Evidence strength: Preliminary. Findings are at the laboratory level with no confirmed human clinical data.

5.6 Blood Sugar Lowering and Anti-HIV — Evidence Assessment

The 2026 systematic review on the Lasiosphaera calvatia group identifies lowering blood sugar and combating HIV as areas of modern investigation. No human clinical trial evidence on either of these endpoints for L. fenzlii has been identified in peer-reviewed literature. These represent highly preliminary areas requiring validation in animal and human studies.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Lasiosphaera fenzlii

• Respiratory system / upper airways: Clears Lung Fire and benefits the throat. Used for sore throat, cough, and hoarse voice in TCM.
• Hemostatic / cardiovascular system: Used for hemostasis (stopping bleeding) and detumescence, often in powdered form applied to wounds.
• Integumentary system / wound healing: The sporogenous tissue demonstrates effective hemostatic and wound-dressing properties.
• Immune system / anti-infective: In Chinese medicine, puffball fungi are included in formulas to clear heat and toxins from the body.
• Oncology (preclinical): In vitro evidence for cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, including HeLa cells and K562 leukemia cells.
• Antioxidant / hepatoprotective (preclinical): Polysaccharides have been evaluated for liver-protective and free radical scavenging activities.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

The following dosages appear in traditional and reference sources. These are reported as found in those sources and reflect traditional and pharmacopoeial ranges.

• TCM oral decoction: Decoct 3–6 g.
• TCM standard oral range: 1–4 g (as reported in TCM databases).
• Topical powder (surgical hemostasis): Applied directly as a sterile powder to wound surfaces; specific quantities are not standardized across identified sources.
• Traditional oral powder for bleeding during pregnancy: Take 1.5 g as a powder and wash down with rice congee (for nosebleeds or hemoptysis during pregnancy).

No dose-ranging clinical pharmacokinetic studies for L. fenzlii have been identified in the current peer-reviewed literature. The preparation of isolated compounds (WLIP, ergosterol peroxides, isoindolones) for potential pharmaceutical use remains at the research stage, with no approved dosage regimens established outside of traditional use contexts.

8. Safety Considerations

8.1 General Safety Profile

Puffball mushrooms appear to be safe when consumed in food amounts. There is not enough information to determine whether the mushroom is safe to take by mouth in the larger amounts typically used as medicine.

8.2 Spore Inhalation: Lycoperdonosis

The most well-documented safety risk associated with puffball fungi is the inhalation of large quantities of spores. Inhaling puffball spores can lead to a respiratory illness called lycoperdonosis. Nausea and vomiting often appear within a few hours of inhalation. Within 3–7 days, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, fever, aches, and pneumonia may occur; cases can be mild and resolve with corticosteroid treatment, while some individuals require hospitalization and even intubation.

Lycoperdonosis is a syndrome resulting from massive exposure to spores of Lycoperdon spp. or Calvatia spp. mushrooms. Puffball mushrooms are widely distributed in North America and Europe and form fruiting bodies in late summer through fall. Lycoperdonosis is an extrinsic hypersensitivity alveolitis caused by inhalation, insufflation, or ingestion of spores released by puffballs; puffballs release spores when they dry, decay, and rupture, or when forcibly crushed, causing the spores to become aerosolized.

A case series from 1994 reported by clinical toxicologists illustrates the severity: Eight teenagers who inhaled and chewed puffball mushrooms at a party subsequently developed nausea and vomiting within 6–12 hours of exposure. All developed cough, fever (maximum 38.9°C), dyspnea, myalgia, and fatigue within 3–7 days. Two patients had a history of asthma. Five patients were hospitalized, and two required endotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation; chest radiographs of all five hospitalized patients demonstrated bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates.

Individuals with underlying pulmonary disease such as asthma are at particular risk for respiratory failure and may require mechanical ventilation.

Inhaling puff ball spores can cause side effects including breathing problems, pneumonia-like symptoms, and chest X-ray changes. When handling dried powdered L. fenzlii material, the material is extremely dusty and handling with a mask is recommended.

8.3 Pregnancy and Lactation

Not enough is known about the use of puff ball during pregnancy and breast-feeding to characterize safety in these populations. Traditional sources mention use for hemoptysis during pregnancy at very low doses (see Section 7) but no controlled data are available.

8.4 Misidentification Risk

Young, clearly identified puffball mushrooms are edible and considered safe; similarly, medicines made from clearly identified specimens are also considered safe. The importance of accurate species identification is underscored by the existence of other macrofungi that could superficially resemble immature puffballs.

8.5 Quality Control and Authentication

Quality control for the Lasiosphaera calvatia group has evolved into a model integrating genotypic authentication (e.g., DNA barcoding), phenotypic and chemical profiling (e.g., TLC, fingerprinting), and quantitative analysis of characteristic constituents (e.g., ergosterol), providing a more reliable framework for identification and quality evaluation.

8.6 Drug Interactions

No specific pharmacokinetic drug interaction studies for Lasiosphaera fenzlii as an oral supplement have been identified in the current peer-reviewed literature. The identification of VEGF-inhibiting activity in the isoindolone fraction (potent VEGF suppression in A549 cells in vitro) and paclitaxel-synergizing activity in ergosterol peroxides (compound 1 increased intracellular accumulation of paclitaxel in cancer cells) raises theoretical questions about potential interactions with oncological agents, but no clinical interaction data exist to date.

9. Pharmacopoeial and Regulatory Status

Lasiosphaera fenzlii holds a prominent place in pharmacies in China and is frequently referenced in the medical literature, with the species listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2025). Polysaccharides from Lasiosphaera calvatia are included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition alongside other major fungal medicines such as Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps sinensis, and Poria cocos. No approved monograph from the WHO, European Medicines Agency (EMA), ESCOP, or German Commission E specifically for Lasiosphaera fenzlii as a stand-alone supplement has been identified in the sources reviewed.

10. Summary of Evidence Levels

• Hemostasis (topical): Best-supported use; traditional, pharmacopoeial, and clinical case evidence; absence of RCT data.
• Throat/respiratory (oral): Traditional evidence only; no controlled human trials identified.
• Anticancer: In vitro (cell line) evidence only; preliminary and exploratory.
• Antimicrobial: In vitro evidence only; no human trials identified.
• Antioxidant / immunomodulatory: Laboratory-level evidence only.
• Blood sugar lowering, anti-HIV, anti-HBV: Earliest investigational stage; no confirmatory human data identified.

Robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and most research remains in early exploratory stages. The traditional hemostatic application has the strongest evidence basis among all investigated uses.

References

• MDPI Molecules (2026): "A Review on the Botany, Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities, Toxicology, and Quality Control of the Medicinal Fungus Lasiosphaera calvatia"
• PubMed / Natural Product Research (2016): "Cytotoxic constituents of Lasiosphaera fenzlii on different cell lines and the synergistic effects with paclitaxel"
• PubMed / International Immunopharmacology (2014): "WLIP derived from Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich exhibits anti-tumor activity and induces cell cycle arrest through PPAR-γ associated pathways"
• ResearchGate / Helvetica Chimica Acta (2013): "Isoindolones from Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich. and Their Bioactivities"
• Journal of Nanjing University of TCM (2021): "The Chemical Constituents and Application Prospects on Wound Healing of Lasiosphaera Seu Calvatia"
• PMC / Systematic Review (2023): "A Systematic Review on the Research Progress on Polysaccharides from Fungal Traditional Chinese Medicine"
• PubMed (1986): "Clinical application of hemostasis with Lasiosphaera fenzlii powder in prostatectomy"
• PMC (2016): "Extract of Calvatia gigantea inhibits proliferation of A549 human lung cancer cells"
• PubMed / Chemistry & Biodiversity (2018): "Bioactivity-Guided Isolation of Anti-Inflammatory Constituents of the Rare Mushroom Calvatia nipponica in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages"
• Google Patents: CN102038718A – Fructificatio Lasiosphaerae seu Calvatiae combined drug and applications thereof
• RxList: "Puff Ball: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions"
• Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (2018): "A Puff of Spores" — Lycoperdonosis review
• ALiEM / ACMT Toxicology Visual Pearls: "In 'Spore' Taste" — Lycoperdonosis case discussion
• Chinese Medicine / Springer (2017): "Identification of anti-HBV activities using GRP78 as a drug target on Herbochip® — Lasiosphaera fenzlii included as screened herb"
• Inner Path (TCM Materia Medica): Lasiosphaera fenzlii herb monograph and literature index
• TCM Wiki: Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia — classical uses and dosage
• ePharmacognosy: Puffball (Ma Bo) — Lasiosphaera fenzlii pharmacognosy data