Modifying the tumor effects in the lungs of laboratory mice with lichen extracts

The anti-tumor properties of common lichens of Belarus: Hypogymnia physodes, Ramalina pollinaria, Cladonia arbuscula, Evernia prunastri were studied using the models of spontaneous and induced carcinogenesis in mice Af lungs. Without exposing to a carcinogen in 20 weeks after taking aqueous lichen extracts (1 g/l) of 4 species for 28 days, only C. arbuscula showed the pro-carcinogenic properties almost doubling the average number of pulmonary adenomas per mouse. R. pollinaria and E. prunastri did not provoke spontaneous carcinogenesis and had a corrective effect significantly reducing the number of adenomas per mouse by 21 and 45 %, respectively. To carry out induced carcinogenesis, after 2 weeks of taking aqueous extracts, mice were injected intraperitoneally with urethane (1 g/kg). The analysis of the total number of adenomas per mouse showed a pro-tumor tendency for C. arbuscula, and the analysis of the number of adenomas of 1 mm and more showed that for H. physodes. The extracts do not affect the proportion of urethane adenomas of various sizes in their total number, but increase the incidence of high-yield adenomas of various sizes; at the same time, H. physodes has a much greater pro-carcinogenic activity according to the incidence of high-yield adenomas of 1 mm or more. The analysis of the total number of urethane adenomas per mouse, as well as adenomas of 1 mm showed an anti-tumor tendency for R. pollinaria and a pro-tumor tendency for E. prunastri. Taking E. prunastri increased the incidence of high-yield adenomas of various sizes, along with a notable increase in the incidence of low-yield adenomas. In the case of R. pollinaria, the increase in the incidence of low-yield adenomas was supplemented by a sharp decrease in the incidence of high-yield adenomas. As a result of the experiment, E. prunastri has exhibited both the pro-carcinogenic activity and the anti-tumor properties, but R. pollinaria has revealed a pronounced anti-tumor potential.

Assessment of Lichens as Biomonitors of Heavy Metal Pollution in Selected Mining Area, Slovakia

Lichens have widely been used as bioindicators to reflect the quality of the environment. The present study was conducted to investigate the lichens diversity that grows on the surface of waste heaps from an abandoned old copper mine in Mlynky, Slovakia. In spite of the heavy metalcontaminated environment, we documented twenty species of lichens in the selected site. Taxonomically the most numerous group were represented by Cladonia with seven species, as well other species; namely, Acarospora fuscata, Cetraria islandica, Dermatocarpon miniatum, Hypogymnia physodes, Hypogymnia tubulosa, Lecanora subaurea, Lepraria incana, Physcia aipolia, Porpidia macrocarpa, Pseudevernia furfuracea, Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria parietina. The content of selected heavy metals (Cu, Fe, and Zn) in the predominant lichens Cetraria islandica, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia pyxidata, Hypogymnia physodes and Pseudevernia furfuracea were analyzed. The highest content of Cu, Fe, and Zn was found in Cladonia pyxidata collected from mine-spoil heaps with concentration 46 ± 4.4, 82.5 ± 22.6, 4.8 ± 1.6 mg/kg, respectively. Interestingly, Cladonia pyxidata collected from the forest surrounding the location showed 15 times lower concentration for Cu. Additionally, similar results were found for Fe and Zn.

The comparison of population structure and distribution of thalli Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. along the trunk of Tilia cordata in a shaded floodplain lime-tree forest for 2008-2017

The research was carried out in shaded flooded lime-tree forest on the territory of the Mari El Republic. Population density, ontogenetic structure of populations and thalli vitality of E . prunastri were explored on 19 marked trees of heart-leaved linden on different tree trunk heights (0-0,5 m, 0,5-1 m, 1-1,5 m, 1,5-2 m) and on different expositions (north, east, south, west). For the period from 2008 to 2017 an increase in the population density of E . prunastri was founded. These differences appear at the trunk height of 1,5-2 m. Thalli were not founded at the height of 0-0,5 m. No changes in the distribution of thalli by exposure in different years were revealed. The most of E . prunastri thalli grow on the northern exposure. In 2017 in the population the specimens share of v₁, v₂ and g₂v of ontogenetic states increases and the specimens share of g₁v decreases. The average vitality of E . prunastri thalli decreases, the deterioration of vitality is more pronounced among individuals in g₁v-ss ontogenetic states. An increase in the population density, a decrease in the size of the E . prunastri thalli and Hypogymnia physodes , a rejuvenation of the ontogenetic structure of the E . prunastri thalli were shown earlier for the illuminated floodplain lime forest. Similar processes in different environmental conditions and in different species indicate regular changes in the populations of epiphytic lichens, which can be caused by climate warming.

Noteworthy lichenicolous fungi and lichens from Russia

Notes are presented on seven species of lichenicolous, non-lichenized and lichenized fungi found in the Asian part of Russia. Endococcus pseudocarpus is reported for the first time for Northern Asia as well as for the Irkutsk Region of Russia. Plectocarpon hypogymniae and P. nephromeum are reported new to the Irkutsk Region, Taeniolella diploschistis new to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Steinia geophana new to Chukotka Autonomous Area, and Epigloea soleiformis new to the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory of Russia. Hypogymnia physodes is reported as a new host species for Plectocarpon hypogymniae.

Permeability of Hypogymnia physodes Extract Component—Physodic Acid through the Blood–Brain Barrier as an Important Argument for Its Anticancer and Neuroprotective Activity within the Central Nervous System

Lichen secondary metabolites are characterized by huge pharmacological potential. Our research focused on assessing the anticancer and neuroprotective activity of Hypogymnia physodes acetone extract (HP extract) and physodic acid, its major component. The antitumor properties were evaluated by cytotoxicity analysis using A-172, T98G, and U-138 MG glioblastoma cell lines and by hyaluronidase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. The neuroprotective potential was examined using COX-2, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity tests. Moreover, the antioxidant potential of the tested substances was examined, and the chemical composition of the extract was analyzed. For physodic acid, the permeability through the blood–brain barrier using Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay for the Blood–Brain Barrier assay (PAMPA-BBB) was assessed. Our study shows that the tested substances strongly inhibited glioblastoma cell proliferation and hyaluronidase activity. Besides, HP extract diminished COX-2 and tyrosinase activity. However, the AChE and BChE inhibitory activity of HP extract and physodic acid were mild. The examined substances exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Importantly, we proved that physodic acid crosses the blood–brain barrier. We conclude that physodic acid and H. physodes should be regarded as promising agents with anticancer, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective activities, especially regarding the central nervous system diseases.

PHOTOPROTECTIVE, CYTOTOXIC AND PHOTOMODIFYING ACTIVITY OF LICHEN BIOMASS NON-POLAR FRACTIONS AGAINST HUMAN KERATINOCYTE (HaCAT)

In vitro, the photoprotective, cytotoxic and photomodifying properties of hexane and benzene extracts from the widely distributed in Belarus lichens Cladonia arbuscula, Evernia prunastri, Hypogymnia physodes, Ramalina pollinaria and Xanthoria parietina in the culture of human keratinocytes (HaCAT), are estimated. It was found that these extracts are not photoprotective, they have a photomodifying effect upon irradiation of keratinocyte cultures with ultraviolet light. Hexane extract of E. prunastri and benzene extracts of R. pollinaria and H. physodes at a concentration of 2.5 μg/ml are photoprotectors that weaken the effect of ultraviolet radiation by 1.6 ÷ 1.8 times. Extracts of C. arbuscula and X. parietina are photosensitizers – they increase the toxic effect of ultraviolet radiation by 10 or more times, regardless of the concentration of the extract in the nutrient medium. Hexane and benzene extracts of C. arbuscula and H. physodes lichens are cytotoxic to the HaCAT culture. With an increase in the dose of ultraviolet irradiation of keratinocytes from zero to lethal values, the benzene extract of R. pollinaria acted as a photoprotector at a concentration of 2.5 μg / ml, and as a photosensitizer at higher concentrations. The hexane and benzene extracts of E. prunastri and H. physodes exhibited sensitizing properties that increased with an increase in the concentration of lichen extracts. C. arbuscula hexane extract and X. parietina benzene extract were the most potent photosensitizers.

АККУМУЛЯЦИЯ 137Cs ЛИШАЙНИКОМ HYPOGYMNIA PHYSODES (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ГОМЕЛЬСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ)

The paper presents the results of determining the 137Cs content in the biomass of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, which growing in pine forests on the territory of the Gomel region with various levels of radioactive contamination.The research was carried out both in conditionally clean and radioactively contaminated areas with 137Cs soil contamination density from 37 to 1488 kBq m-2. The high accumulating capacity of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes in relation to 137Cs was shown, as well as an increase in the concentration of the radionuclide in the lichens biomass with an increase in the density of soil contamination. Differences in 137Cs accumulation by the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, growing in uneven-aged pine stands, were noted. The lowest concentrations of 137Cs were noted in the samples growing in mature pine forests, while thalli sampled from young pine stands contain significant amounts of the radionuclide.

Техногенный ландшафт как средоточие разнообразия редких видов лишайников в Центральном Черноземье

Цель – первое лихенологическое обследование техногенных отвалов Михайловского горно-обогатительного комбината (Железногорский район, Курская область) с прилегающими природными и урбанизированными территориями. Материалы и методы. Сборы материалов проводились маршрутным методом в течение 2017 и 2019-2020 годов, камеральная обработка осуществлялась с применением общепринятых лихенологических методик. Идентифицированные образцы хранятся в гербариях Центрально-Черноземного заповедника им. проф. В. В. Алехина и Станции юных натуралистов г. Железногорска. Результаты и обсуждение. Выявленная лихенобиота включает 88 видов (преимущественно макролишайников, вследствие методики сбора) из 38 родов, 18 семейств. Наиболее распространенные, металл-толерантные виды: геоплезные Cladonia fimbriata, C. coniocraea, эпигеидные C. rei, C. mitis, C. cornuta, C. furcata, C. phyllophora и C. gracilis, эпифито-эпиксильные Evernia prunastri, Parmelia sulcata, Xanthoria parietina, Hypogymnia physodes и Physcia adscendens. Составлен аннотированный список в различной степени редких видов, среди которых 4 новых для Центрального Черноземья (Cladonia cervicornis, Dibaeis baeomyces, Usnea dasopoga, U. lapponica); 5 новых для Курской области (Bryoria fuscescens, Cladonia carneola, C. deformis, Melanohalea septentrionalis, Peltigera extenuata); 6 занесенных в Красную книгу Курской области (Cladonia subrangiformis, C. subulata, Peltigera praetextata, Platismatia glauca, Pseudevernia furfuracea и Usnea subfloridana); еще 5 редки в области или на более обширных территориях (Acarospora veronensis, Protoparmeliopsis muralis, Ramalina pollinaria, Trapelia coarctata, Usnea hirta). Сосредоточение значительного числа редких видов в техногенных ландшафтах, по-видимому, обусловлено рядом причин: наличием крупных выходов редкого в области и Центральном Черноземье субстрата (ожелезненного песчаника); слабой конкуренцией со стороны сосудистых растений на бедных и обогащенных металлами почвах и грунтах; ботанико-географическим положением территории; спецификой локального загрязнения среды, представленного преимущественно «кислыми» поллютантами и частицами металлов. Заключение. Отмечена приуроченность регионально редких кустистых и листоватых эпифитов из экологической группы ацидофилов к насаждениям березы в изученных техногенных ландшафтах. Предложены некоторые меры охраны выявленных редких видов лишайников.

Spider Webs and Lichens as Bioindicators of Heavy Metals: A Comparison Study in the Vicinity of a Copper Smelter (Poland)

This paper presents the comparison of heavy metals accumulation in spider webs from Agelenidae family (Eratigena atrica and Agelena labyrinthica) and lichens Hypogymnia physodes, exposed to pollution for two months. Webs were obtained from the laboratory-reared spiders and stretched on Petri dish while lichens were transplanted from Stobrawa Landscape Park into the study area. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and As were determined in both biomonitors and the elevated values indicated the impact of the copper smelter and surrounding roads. Our study revealed that webs were more sensitive than lichens to emissions of pollutants, and for all of the studied elements, the determined concentrations were much higher for spider webs. The results of similarity tests showed a clear difference among the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ni and As in lichens and spider webs, with the exception of Pb, suggesting that this element could be accumulated in a similar way by both bioindicators. These differences are probably due to their morphological and ecological dissimilarities suggesting that spider webs should be favorably applied where the use of lichens is improper due to the drought, which is an unfavorable condition for accumulation of elements in lichens, or their limited uptake of elements.