Ethnomycological relevance, ecology, and bioactive potential of Stereum hirsutum: a review with emphasis on Central Asia

Abstract

Background: Stereum hirsutum is a widespread wood-inhabiting fungus whose ethnomycological significance remains fragmented and insufficiently synthesized, particularly in relation to Central Asia. Although the species is visually conspicuous and ecologically common, direct documentation of its traditional medicinal relevance remains limited compared with the expanding literature on its chemistry, bioactivity, and applied potential.

Methods: Published literature, taxonomic databases, and regional specimen-based records were critically reviewed to compile data on nomenclature, morphology, ecology, host associations, distribution, ethnomycological relevance, mycochemical diversity, and reported biological and biotechnological properties of S. hirsutum, with particular emphasis on Central Asia.

Results: Stereum hirsutum is broadly distributed and has been documented in Uzbekistan on multiple woody hosts, indicating substantial ecological plasticity. The available ethnomycological evidence suggests limited but credible traditional-use associations, especially in East Asia, whereas direct documentation from Central Asia remains scarce. In contrast, modern studies identify S. hirsutum as a chemically rich species producing sesquiterpenoids, benzoate- and depside-related aromatics, sterols, phenolics, organic acids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, minerals, and additional inducible metabolites revealed through strain-specific and co-culture approaches. These metabolites and extracts have been associated with antimicrobial, α-glucosidase-inhibitory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase-related, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies further extend the relevance of the species to ginsenoside biotransformation, lignocellulosic degradation, and symbiotic fungal systems.

Conclusions: Stereum hirsutum represents an ecologically widespread, chemically rich, pharmacologically promising, and biotechnologically relevant fungal resource whose ethnomycological importance remains under documented, particularly in Central Asia. Future voucher-supported field studies integrated with chemical profiling and bioactivity assessment are needed to connect ecological occurrence, local knowledge, and experimentally supported functions within a single regional framework.