BACKGROUND: Lichens provide a large array of compounds with the potential for pharmaceutical development. In the present study, extracts from three previously undescribed North American lichen species were examined for antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities. RESULTS: The results from this study demonstrated the following: (i) Acarospora socialis ethanol extract exhibited significant DPPH antioxidant scavenging activities, which were concentration dependent; (ii) acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of Xanthoparmelia mexicana inhibited Gram-positive bacteria but had no effect on Gram-negative bacteria; X. mexicana acetone extract yielded a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20.9 µg mL-1 against Staphylococcus aureus, and 41.9 µg mL-1 against Enterococcus faecalis; (iii) acetone extract of Lobothallia alphoplaca inhibited growth of cultured breast cancer MCF-7 cells with an effective concentration (EC50 ) of 87 µg mL-1 ; the MCF-7 cell cycle appears arrested in the G2 phase, whereas the DNA synthesis cell cycle (S) may be inhibited. CONCLUSION: New lichen species that possess strong biological activities have been identified. These lichens comprise secondary metabolites that possess antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents analysis pharmacology MeSH
- Antioxidants analysis pharmacology MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents analysis pharmacology MeSH
- Gram-Negative Bacteria drug effects MeSH
- Gram-Positive Bacteria drug effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lichens chemistry metabolism MeSH
- MCF-7 Cells MeSH
- Cell Proliferation drug effects MeSH
- Plant Extracts pharmacology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- North America MeSH
