Phytochemical analysis and biological activity of extracts of lichen Physcia Semipinnata: As a new source of pharmacologically active compounds

Abstract

© 2018, Romanian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved. The present study provides new data concerning chemical characterization and biological activity of acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the lichen Physcia semipinnata. Chemical profiling of the extracts was done by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a UV detector (HPLC-UV) analysis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring total anti-oxidative capacity, reducing capacity, inhibition lipid peroxidation and scavenging capacity on 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH) radicals. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Lecanoric acid, methyl-β-orcinol carboxylate, ethyl haematommate, evernic acid, obtusic acid and atranorin were identified from this lichen. As a result of the study of the antioxidant activity, the acetone and the methanol extracts of P. semipinnata was found to have the better antioxidant activity than aqueous extract. Total phenolics and flavonoids in the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically, with the varied amount from 20.11 to 59.20 mg GA/g and from 5.48 to 19.27 mg RU/g, respectively. The results of the viability and proliferation study of HeLa, LS174 and A549 cells after the treatment with the extracts showed that the best cytotoxic/cytostatic activity was exhibited by the acetone extract of P. semipinnata. Investigated extracts can be used as natural antioxidant agents and as a significant source of biological active compounds.