In-vitro STUDY ON ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI- INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF Heterodermia boryi

Lichens have been shown to exhibit various biological properties including antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, photoprotective effects etc.Heterodermia boryi is an unexplored lichen species. The objective of this study is to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of Heterodermia boryi isolated from the hills of Kodaikanal, India. The antioxidant properties of Heterodermia boryi have been evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of albumin denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization method and the antimicrobial properties was assessed in gram positive and gram- negative microorganisms and fungi by well diffusion method. Heterodermia boryi exhibited significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The unexplored properties of Heterodermia boryi and its metabolites should be further analysed before it can be used clinically against various diseases.