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Lichens as a potential natural source of bioactive compounds: a review

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Abstract

Biological activity of material whether known in folk medicine or observed in planned screening program has been the starting point in the drug research. The general pattern is the isolation of active principles, elucidation their structures, followed by attempts for modulation of its activity potential by chemical modification. Lichens are valuable plant resources and are used as medicine, food, fodder, perfume, spice, dyes and for miscellaneous purposes throughout the world. Lichens are well known for the diversity of secondary metabolites that they produce. Compounds isolated from various lichen species have been reported to display diverse biological activities. Here we review the medicinal efficacy of lichen substances, which intends to explore the pharmaceutical potential of lichen substances.

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Acknowledgments

Author (V.S.) wish to thanks Scientific and Engineering Research Council, D.S.T., New Delhi for the financial support vide project no. SR/FT/LS-028/2008.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareily Road, Lucknow, UP, 226 025, India

    Vertika Shukla

  2. Department of Chemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Post Box 63, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246 174, India

    Geeta Pant Joshi & M. S. M. Rawat

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  1. Vertika Shukla
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Shukla, V., Joshi, G.P. & Rawat, M.S.M. Lichens as a potential natural source of bioactive compounds: a review. Phytochem Rev 9, 303–314 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-010-9189-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-010-9189-6

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