Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and GC/MS-based phytochemical analysis of two traditional Lichen species Trypethellium virens and Phaeographis dendritica

Abstract

Background Lichens are complex plants living in symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae. They are used for human and animal nutrition and are used in folk medicine in many countries over a considerable period of time. In the present study, various solvent extracts of Trypethelslium virens and Phaeographis dendritica were tested for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Results The phytochemical analysis by GC/MS revealed phenolics (1.273%), terpene (0.963%), hydrocarbons (2.081%), benzofurans (2.081%), quinone (1.273%), alkanes (0.963%), and aliphatic aldehydes (0.963%) as the predominant compounds in Trypethellium virens SPTV02, whereas secondary alcohol (1.184%), alkaloids (1.184%), and fatty acids (4.466) were the major constituents in Phaeographis dendritica. The antioxidant property of methanolic extract of T. virens and P. dendritica revealed the presence of total phenolic and terpenoids. The methanolic extracts of both the lichens exhibited encouraging DPPH antiradical activity, with the IC50 of 62.4 ± 0.76 µg/ml for T. virens and 68.48 ± 0.45 µg/ml for P. dendritica. Similarly, ferric reducing power assay result exhibited higher reducing activity. Further, the lichen extracts (methanolic) indicated promising antimicrobial activities against pathogens showing MIC from 62.5 to 500 µg/ml. Conclusion The study results concludes that both the lichens could be used as new natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents which can be exploited for pharmaceutical applications.

Investigation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of some Lichens

“…The lichen species used in our study showed antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms with diameter of the inhibition zone varying between 7-15 mm. There have been many studies examining the antimicrobial activities of lichens 4,8,12,15,21,31]. When all these literature informations are evaluated, inhibition zone diameter sizes in our findings are comparable with other studies.…”

“…When the MIC values obtained in some studies examining the antimicrobial properties of various lichen species are compared, it is understood that our results are at an average level. (8,23,38).…”

“…It is stated that there are approximately 300 genera and 25,000 species of lichens in the world and more than 1800 of them are found in the flora of Turkey [4,7]. Various studies have stated that lichens were used for the treatment of diseases in ancient times [4,8]. Many types of lichens were believed to be effective against external burns, wounds, asthma, colds, tuberculosis, gastritis and other diseases [3,9].…”

“…On the other hand, although synthetic antioxidants have been used instead of natural antioxidants in recent years, their use has been restricted or prohibited based on research results showing that they have been toxic and cancer-causing [2,3,8]. Reasons such as high side effects and multi-drug resistance of pathogenic microorganisms due to excessive use of antibiotics limit the use of synthetic drugs.…”

“…The use of plants for medicinal purposes is in demand all over the world as well as in our country. Among the reasons for this are that, unlike synthetic drugs, herbal medicines have much fewer side effects and are more easily obtainable and have several beneficial effects [5,8,[14][15][16].…”