Lichenomics: Exploring bioactive compounds with anti-tumor potential in colon cancer cell lines

Abstract

Lichens, a diverse group of Ascomycetes within the major fungal phylum Lecanorales, include various forms such as Crustose, Foliose, Squamulose, and Fruticose, with the latter being the most common photobionts. This study aims to provide novel in-sights into the extraction and acquisition of bioactive compounds from lichens, emphasizing their potential for future advancements in analytical techniques. This research highlights the pharmaceutical potential of secondary metabolites from lichens, with a focus on GC-MS analysis, which identified 80 compounds belonging to various functional groups. Many lichens have demonstrated bioactive properties, including novel drug candidates such as Falcarinol, Oleic Acid methyl ester, Benzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyl, Glycerol 1-palmitate, Guanosine, 2(3 H)-Furanone, 3-butyldihydro, Eudesma-5,11(13)-dien-8,12-olide, Phthalic acid butyl undecyl ester, Phthalic acid ethyl pentadecyl ester, Tridecanoic acid 12-methyl methyl ester, Undecanoic acid 10-methyl methyl ester, Aromandendrene, Dodecahydroacenaphthylene, 3-Bromo-7-methyl-1-adamantanecarboxylic acid, Estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ol, 3-Methoxy-5-propylphenol, and Phenol. Consequently, P. aurata and P. reticulatum exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, effectively inhibiting bacterial strains such as E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus, particularly in terms of zones of inhibition. Additionally, the lichen extracts showed notable anti-tumor effects against HT-29 colon cancer cells, demonstrating a clear dose-dependent response for (10 mg/mL). Novel scientific methodologies involving biological entities have significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of lichenology. The research hypotheses are: (a) the collection of higher fungi, selective isolation of lichens, in vitro culture, and conservation; (b) extraction of lichen secondary metabolites and GC-MS analysis using innovative bioactive techniques.