Studies on antioxidant properties of lichen secondary metabolites

Abstract

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015. At the present time, it is suspected that much used synthetic antioxidants have toxic and carcinogenic effects. Consequently, there is a growing interest towards finding new antioxidants of natural resources without any undesirable effect. Numerous in vitro studies on plants, micro- and macroalgae, macromycetes and lichens strongly support the fact that their constituents with antioxidant capacity are capable of exerting protective effects against oxidative stress in biological systems. Therefore, it is of prime importance to utilise natural antioxidants for their protective effect against oxidative stress and physiological dysfunctions. In the quest for novel natural antioxidant sources, our prime interest has focused on lichens. In recent time, numerous studies point to the importance of lichens in the neutralisation of free radicals. Lichens are rich in the secondary metabolites, primarily phenols, which are well known for its antioxidant properties. Because of that, the present chapter focuses on the role of lichens and their secondary metabolites in combating danger posed by overproduced free radicals.