Inhibitory effect of lichen constituents on mutagenicity induced by heterocyclic amines

Physodic acid, one of the main constituents of Hypogymnia enteromorpha, inhibited the mutagenicity of indirect mutagens, including benzo[a]pyrene and heterocyclic amines in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. In contrast, it was not effective against direct mutagens such as 6-nitropiperonal and adriamycin. Its antimutagenicity was not associated with free-radical scavenging or antioxidative activities. Physodic acid seemed to inhibit the formation of reactive metabolites, such as N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2, by blocking the hepatic microsomal oxidation systems. Another component of H. enteromorpha, physodalic acid, also inhibited mutagenicity of a heterocyclic amine, Trp-P-2, in S. typhimurium TA 98, even though it was reportedly mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA 100.