Hypogymnia physodes – A lichen with interesting medicinal potential and ecological properties

Publication date: Available online 28 May 2019Source: Journal of Herbal MedicineAuthor(s): Elżbieta Studzińska-Sroka, Daria Zarabska-BożjewiczAbstractHypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. is a lichenized fungus within the Parmeliaceae family that commonly occurs in Europe and in many other parts of the world. As a result of the specific relationship between a heterotrophic fungus and an autotrophic photobiont - algae or cyanobacteria among others - some secondary compounds not found among plants are produced. So far the presence of depsidones: physodalic acid, physodic acid, 3-hydroxyphysodic acid, 2′-O-methylphysodic acid, and protocetraric acid as well as depsides: atranorin and chloroatranorin, has been confirmed in H. physodes. Studies revealed interesting biological properties of depsidones and the extracts from H. physodes. The literature data has proved their antibacterial and antioxidant activity as well as cancer cell cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on enzymes. Depsidones from H. physodes also influenced the cells of the immune system. Moreover, this lichen is often used in bioindicator and biomonitoring studies that enable the assessment of environmental conditions as well as air pollution.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Herbal Medicine - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research