An investigation on the cardioprotective potential of lichen compound protocetraric acid by HO-induced toxicity in H9c2 rat heart cells through in vitro and in silico analysis.

Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and require treatment and prevention. Lichens are symbiotic organisms that are known to produce unique secondary metabolites and have been used as folk medicines. The aim of the study is to emphasize the importance of lichens in improving heart health, with the objective of investigating protocetraric acid, a lichen metabolite, for its antioxidant and cardioprotective potential by using in vitro and in silico techniques.

In Vitro and in Silico Studies of Lichen Compounds Atranorin and Salazinic Acid as Potential Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents.

Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up of alga/cyanobacterium and fungus. We investigated antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties of two lichen compounds, atranorin and salazinic acid, and five lichen species: Heterodermia boryi, Heterodermia diademata, Heterodermia hypocaesia, Parmotrema reticulatum, and Stereocaulon foliolosum. Free radical scavenging, Ferric reducing potential, Nitric oxide scavenging, and Trolox equivalent capacity were used to measure antioxidant activity.