Xanthomegnin isolated from Penicillium citreo-viride is a mutagenic mycotoxin known as an agent of nephropathy and death in farm animals exposed to food-borne Penicillium (and Aspergillus fungi).
In animals, oral intake of xanthomegnin leads to kidney and liver abnormalities, often first presenting as jaundice. Death may result. The compound has been shown to interfere with cellular respiratory processes and has given positive results in tests for genotoxic potential.
Xanthomegnin was also repeatedly extracted from human nail and skin material infected by Trichophyton rubrum.
Xanthomeginin acts as a strong uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondira.
Detection of xanthomegnin in epidermal materials infected with Trichophyton rubrum, Gupta AK, et al, J. Inves. Derma., 115 (2000)
Simultaneous isolation of Xanhomegnin, viomellein, rubrosulphin, viopurpurin, and brevianamide A by preparative HPLC, C.M.Jansen and K.Dose, Mytotoxin research, vol. 1 (1985)