The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine ISPUB.COM Volume 5 Number 2 Lichens- Role in Traditional Medicine and Drug Discovery S Malhotra, R Subban, A Singh Citation S Malhotra, R Subban, A Singh. Lichens- Role in Traditional Medicine and Drug Discovery. The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. 2007 Volume 5 Number 2. Abstract Lichens represent a unique division in the plant kingdom. They have been used in Traditional systems of medicine including Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Homeopathic and Western Medical Herbals. Lichens have been used in the treatment of diverse diseases like arthritis, alopecia, constipation, kidney diseases, leprosy, pharyngitis rabies, infection, worm and infestation. The medicinal utility of lichens is regarded to presence of secondary compounds like of usnic acid and atranorin. Animal investigations on lichens have demonstrated antimicrobial, antitumor and immunomodulaor activity. One of the reasons for exploring biological compounds in lichens is the potential for medical use. However, much work remains to link medical effects with specific lichen species. INTRODUCTION or (Parmeliaceae) was first used as a drug (Launert, 1981). The Lichen Division is comprised of at least 8 orders, 45 Some lichens were claimed to be good for coughs, jaundice, families, and 6,000 species. Information on the edible and rabies and restoring lost hair (Pereira, 1853). Herbal medicinal uses of the lichens is scattered (Chevallier, 1996). medicine texts included account of several species of lichens Many lichens are known to have potent antibiotic properties, including Cladonia, Evernia, Lobaria, Parmelia, Peltigera, and many are edible. However, some lichens do contain Pertusaria, Physica, Rocella, Usnea and Xanthoria (Llano, toxic substances, so you should not graze randomly on them 1944 b). During the middle age, lichens figured prominently (Agelet & Joan, 2003). in the herbals used by practitioners. LICHENS IN FOLK AND TRADITIONAL Peltigera sp., mixed with 2 drachms of black pepper, for MEDICINE four-days, in half-pint of warm milk, was used for rabies or hydrophobia. Linnaeus named Peltigera, in 1753 as Lichen “Doctrine of Signatures” written in the 15th century stated caninus (the Dog Lichen) as it has rhizines on the lower “A plant could treat a diseases it most looked like” This surface that resembles teeth, hence specific epithet of canina. formed the basis of phyto-therapeutics in traditional systems In traditional medicine, Peltigera canina (L.) Willd is used as of medicines like Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) or liver tonic and laxative. In Ireland, Peltigera aphthosa (L.) Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Wiild. was used as vermifuge. Western Medical Herbalism (Bown, 2001). Interestingly enough, the word lichen is derived from Greek word People of Northern California used Letharia vulpina (L.) ‘Leprous' and refers to use of lichens in treating skin Hue. (Parmeliaceae) in stomach diseases. A novel species of diseases due to their peeling-skin appearance. Lichen like Dictyonema was used by the Waorani as hallucinogen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. (Stictacea) and Parmelia (Davis & Yost, 1983). In Arabian medicine, Alectoria sulcata Taylor (Parmeliaceae) have been used in the usneoides was used in the treatment of splenomegaly treatment of pulmonary and cranial diseases, respectively (enlarged spleen). (Rizzini, 1952). Similarly, Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fries (Lobariaceae), being yellow, was used to cure jaundice In China, Usnea diffracta Vain (Parmeliaceae) was used in (Bown, 2001). medicine around 500 A.D. (Strickmann,). Hippocrates prescribed Usnea barbata for uterine ailments. In Sweden, Medicinal uses of lichens are linked with folklore. The Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach. is used to treat warts. In China, medicinal use of lichens can be traced back to the 18th Lethariella cashmeriana Krog-Wei, L. sernanderi (Motyka) dynasty (1700-1800 BC) when Evernia furfuracea (L.) Mann Obermayer, L. sinensis J. C. Wei & Jiang (Parmeliaceae) 1 of 6 Lichens- Role in Traditional Medicine and Drug Discovery and Thamnolia vermicularis Hytter i Norden Danske drug chharila, which is used as aphrodisiac (Lal & Upreti, (Icmadophilaceae) are used as medicated teas (Wang, et al. 1995; Kumar & Upreti, 2001). In India Parmelia chinense is 2001). used as diuretic and as liniment for headache and powder to help wounds heal. Parmelia sancti-angeli is used in Central Usnea sp. are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), India to treat Tinea (ringworm) like disease. Ash of the Homeopathic system of medicine and traditional medicine in lichen, mixed with mustard or linseed oil, is applied to the Pacific islands and New Zealand. Usnea sp are valuded for affected area. Parmelia peforatum is medically recognized in demulcent properties and finds use for mild inflammation of Afghanistan (Chandra & Singh, 1971). the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Usnea filipendula Stirt was used in former Soviet Union for cuts and wounds Parmelia nepalense (Talyor) Hale ex Sipman is used in (Chevallier, 1996). Nepal in the treatment of toothache and sore throat (Kumar, Banskota & Manandhar, 1996). In Western Himalayas Spanish folk medicine has documented use of lichens in Thamnolia vermicularis (Schwartz) Ach. (Icmadophilaceae) various medical aliments. Decoction of Pseudoevernia is used as antiseptic (Negi & Kareem, 1996). In Sikkim, furfuracea (L.) Zopf. (Parmeliaceae) is used in Alfacar and Heterodermia diademata (Talyor) D.D. Awas. (Physciaceae) Viznar in respiratory ailments. Ramalina bourgeana Mont. is used for cuts and wounds (Saklani & Upreti, 1992). ex Nyl. (Ramalinaceae) is consumed for diuretic and stone–dissolving (lithontriptic) properties (González -Tejero, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL 1995). Xanthoparmelia scabrosa (Taylor) Hale INVESTIGATIONS (Parmeliaceae) is ingredient of various aphrodisiac Lichen metabolites exert a wide variety of biological actions formulations sold in international market. Tea prepared from including antibiotic, antimycobacterial, antiviral, anti- Flavocetraria nivalis (L.) Kärnefelt & Thell (Parmeliaceae) inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiproliferative and is used in the treatment of motion-sickness and heart attacks cytotoxic effects. Even though these manifold activities of of by natives of Qollahuaya Andeans in Poland (Bastien, lichen metabolites have now been recognized, their 1983). therapeutic potential has not yet been fully explored and thus remains pharmaceutically unexploited (Müller, 2002). The Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. (Parmeliaceae) commonly utility of lichens is due of range of secondary compounds known as Irish moss, is valued folk remedy for lung produced by them (Boustie & Grube, 2005). diseases, kidney and bladder complaints as well as externally for poorly healed wounds (Bown, 2001). Traditionally it is ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY used mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. ANTIBACTERIAL It is also valued in dyspepsia and loss of appetite. In Antibiotic properties of the lichens are of special interest to European folk medicine, it is used in cancer treatment the scientists (Lawrey, 1986). According to one estimate, 50 (Chevallier, 1996). % of all lichens have antibiotic properties (Sharnoff, 1997). Reindeer lichens are important medicinal agents. Cladonia Burkholder (1944) was pioneer initiating research on lichens rangiferina (L.) F. H. Wigg. syn. Cladina rangiferina (L.) as antibacterial agents. He tested 42 lichens for antibiotic Nyl. (Cladoniaceae) is commonly studied Reindeer lichen. property and 27 were reported to inhibit growth of bacteria Northern native people used reindeer lichen in medicinal (Burkholder et al 1944; Bylicka, 1952; Vartia, 1973). teas to treat colds, arthritis, fevers and other problems Parmelia Physodes (L.) Ach. was reported to be antibiotic (Perez- Llano, 1944). Reindeer lichens were also used as a (Mordraksi, 1956). Usnic acid is wide-spectrum antibiotic poultice to relieve the ache of arthritic joints. Reindeer characterized from the lichens (Shibamoto & Wei, 1984, lichens have been taken to treat fever, jaundice constipation, Rowe et al. 1991; Dobrescu et al. 1993; Abo-Khatwa et al. convulsions, coughs, and tuberculosis (Bown, 2001). 1996; Cocchietto, Skert & Nimis, 2002). Vulpinic acid has Cladonia pyxidata (L.) Hoffm. is useful remedy for mild antibiotic property (Lauterwein et al. 1995). Atranorin whooping cough (Chevallier, 1996). has been found to be much less biologically active than usnic Three Parmelia sp. (Parmelia chinense (Osbeck) Hale & acid and vulpinic acid (Lawrey, 1986). Usnic acid, evernic Ahti., syn P. perlata (Huds.) Ach, P. sancti-angeli (Lynge) acid, and vulpinic acid inhibited the growth of gram positive Hale and P. peforatum (Jacq.) A. Massal. are used for Indian bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and 2 of 6 Lichens- Role in Traditional Medicine and Drug Discovery Bacillus megaterium, but the acids had no affect on the gram been reported to be potential antimicrobials (Candan et al negative bacteria Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas 2006). Extracts of Pseudevernia furfuracea and its aeruginosa (Lawrey, 1986). constituents (physodic acid, chloroatranorin, atranorin, and olivetoric acid) have significant antimicrobial activity (Turk Usnic acid isolated from lichens from south Spain has high et al. 2006). Hirtusneanoside isolated from Usnea hirta (L.) activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Rowe et al. 1999). Wigg. (Parmeliaceae)