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Anticancer Activity of Lichen Metabolites and Their Mechanisms at the Molecular Level

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Recent Advances in Lichenology

Abstract

As a result of symbiotic associations between mycobiont and photobiont, lichens can produce distinct and unique metabolites. Moreover, lichens are occasionally subjected to protect themselves from harsh environmental conditions during the growth. Therefore, lichen metabolites are expected to have various biological activities including antineoplastic action, for which it should suppress more than one of characteristics of the tumor progression. Here, we reviewed anticancer activity of lichen metabolites with molecular mechanisms by exerting cytotoxicity through regulation of cell cycle or induction of cell death, and by modulation of immune activity, angiogenesis, or energy metabolism. Alongside with these points, research will be expanded to yet unexplored areas by targeting cancer-specific signaling pathways.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea

    Hangun Kim

  2. Medical Research Center for Gene Regulation, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

    Kyung Keun Kim

  3. Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Seoun Hur

Authors
  1. Hangun Kim
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  2. Kyung Keun Kim
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  3. Jae-Seoun Hur
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jae-Seoun Hur .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Dalip Kumar Upreti

  2. Departmento de Biologia Vegetal II Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Pradeep K. Divakar

  3. Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Vertika Shukla

  4. Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Rajesh Bajpai

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Kim, H., Kim, K.K., Hur, JS. (2015). Anticancer Activity of Lichen Metabolites and Their Mechanisms at the Molecular Level. In: Upreti, D., Divakar, P., Shukla, V., Bajpai, R. (eds) Recent Advances in Lichenology. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2235-4_11

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