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Anticancer activities of selected species of North American lichen extracts
Gajendra Shrestha1, Atif M El-Naggar, Larry L St Clair
1Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; M. L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
Abstract:
Cancer is the second leading cause of human deaths in the USA. Despite continuous efforts to treat cancer over the past 50 years, human mortality rates have not decreased significantly. Natural products, such as lichens, have been good sources of anticancer drugs. This study reports the cytotoxic activity of crude extracts of 17 lichen species against Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji) cells. Out of the 17 lichen species, extracts from 14 species showed cytotoxicity against Raji cells. On the basis of IC50 values, we selected Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa and Tuckermannopsis ciliaris to study the mechanism of cell death. Viability of normal lymphocytes was not affected by the extracts of X. chlorochroa and T. ciliaris. We found that extracts from both lichens decreased proliferation, accumulated cells at the G0 /G1 stage, and caused apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Both lichen extracts also caused upregulation of p53. The T. ciliaris extract upregulated the expression of TK1 but X. chlorochroa did not. We also found that usnic, salazinic, constictic, and norstictic acids were present in the extract of X. chlorochroa, whereas protolichesterinic acid in T. ciliaris extracts. Our data demonstrate that lichen extracts merit further research as a potential source of anticancer drugs.
Insights
Lichens show promise as a natural source for cancer drugs. Extracts from 14 of 17 species killed Burkitt
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with limited success in reducing mortality rates despite extensive research.
- Natural products, particularly lichens, represent a promising avenue for novel anticancer drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic activity of various lichen extracts against Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji) cells.
- To explore the mechanisms of cell death induced by potent lichen extracts.
- To identify potential anticancer compounds within selected lichen species.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 17 lichen species extracts for cytotoxicity against Raji cells.
- Determination of IC50 values to identify potent extracts.
- Analysis of cell cycle progression, apoptosis induction, and p53/TK1 expression.
- Chemical profiling of active lichen extracts for key compounds.
Main Results:
- Extracts from 14 out of 17 lichen species exhibited significant cytotoxicity against Raji cells.
- Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa and Tuckermannopsis ciliaris extracts demonstrated dose-dependent apoptosis induction and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest without affecting normal lymphocytes.
- Both extracts upregulated p53 expression; T. ciliaris also upregulated TK1.
- Key compounds identified include usnic, salazinic, constictic, and norstictic acids in X. chlorochroa, and protolichesterinic acid in T. ciliaris.
Conclusions:
- Lichen extracts possess significant anticancer potential against Burkitt's lymphoma.
- X. chlorochroa and T. ciliaris extracts induce cancer cell death through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
- Further research into these lichen extracts is warranted for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.
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