Lichens as a source of chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract

SummarySymptoms of inflammation accompany a number of diseases. In order to mitigate them, folk medicine has used a variety of medicinal substances, including herbs and mushrooms. Lichens are less known organisms, containing specific secondary metabolites with interesting biological properties. One of their biological actions is the anti-inflammatory activity that has been confirmed by in vitro and animal studies. It has been proven that compounds and extracts from lichens inhibit the enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. The following paper is a review of research on the little-known anti-inflammatory properties of lichens.

In Vitro Antigenotoxic, Antihelminthic and Antioxidant Potentials Based on the Extracted Metabolites from Lichen, Candelariella vitellina

“…Consequently, many literature studies showed a positive correlation between the number of phenolic compounds and the DPPH free radical scavenging effect [88]. Other antioxidant compounds, in a previous study, such as the polyketide, 3-O-(α-d-Ribofuranosyl)-questin, and the terpene, ceriporic acid B were reported in C. vitellina extract [54]. In the current study, evaluating the cytotoxicity of C. vitellina extract against normal human peripheral lymphocytes (HPBL) using MTT assay resulted in very low cytotoxic impact (IC 50 > 1000 µg/mL) towards normal HPBL.…”

“…The Japanese originated lichen, Candelariella vitellina, is a promising lichen that has previously exhibited significant therapeutic capabilities [54,55], which encouraged further investigations to explore additional biological activities of this pharmaceutically important species. Chemical analysis of the hydromethanolic extract (80%) of C. vitellina, using GC-MS and qualitative HPLC, revealed its richness with primary and secondary metabolites such as sugars, alcohols, different phenolic acids, and light flavonoids.…”

“…Several herbal extracts showed promising potent scolicidal and antischistosomal effects [42,43]. The herbs' protective potentials against various toxic agents [44][45][46][47], anticancer activities towards many types of cancers and anti-inflammatory properties [48][49][50][51][52][53][54] were also reported in vivo and in vitro.…”

Permeability of Hypogymnia physodes Extract Component—Physodic Acid through the Blood–Brain Barrier as an Important Argument for Its Anticancer and Neuroprotective Activity within the Central Nervous System

“…Even though lichens have been used in traditional medicine for ages, the molecular mechanisms responsible for their cellular actions have only recently been evaluated and understood. In this regard, it has been shown that lichen-derived secondary metabolites can act as e.g., anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant agents [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 42 ]. H. physodes is an especially interesting lichen, since it is widely distributed worldwide, providing a powerful natural source of compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.…”

“…Lichens are an important source of bioactive compounds with interesting and little-known biological activities. The antimicrobial activity of lichens, their antioxidant, enzyme-inhibiting, and anti-inflammatory properties were studied [ 18 , 19 ]. Their antitumor activity was also proved and tested in cancer cell lines and animal cancer models [ 20 ].…”