Antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of three lichens: Ramalina fastigiata, Xanthoria parietina, Aspicilia intermutans

In this study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative and, cytotoxic activities of the lichen species Ramalina fastigiata, Xanthoria parietina and Aspicilia intermutans were investigated. It was determined that Aspicilia intermutans contained higher DPPH radical and ABTS cation radical scavenging activity and total phenolic substance than the other species. It was determined that Ramalina fastigiata had the highest iron (III) ion reducing antioxidant capacity. It was exhibited that Ramalina fastigiata showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC: 312 μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC: 156 μg/mL) strains. In addition, it was determined that Xanthoria parietina showed significant antiproliferative activity on the HeLa cell line. According to the obtained findings, it was determined that none of the three species showed significant toxicity on non-tumoregenic cells. The fact that none of the three species showed toxicity on healthy cell lines suggests that these species can be used for medical purposes.