Searching for lichen indicator species: the application of self-organizing maps in air quality assessment-a case study from Balkan area (Serbia).

The subject of this paper is the possibility of using self-organizing map (SOM) in the biomonitoring studies. We used lichens as biomonitors to indicate different degrees of air quality. This research included all of 88 lichen species that was collected at 75 investigated points. These lichen species showed the different responses to air pollution. The air quality was assessed by IAP (index of atmospheric pollution) values. The IAP values were calculated for all of investigated points on the territory of four natural and one urban ecosystem. Calculated IAP values were in range of 10 to 75. On the basis of the lichen data and IAP values, we have employed SOM analysis that distinguished three clusters (A, B, and C). It presented lichen indicator species for each cluster: 16 species for cluster A, 18 species for cluster B, and two species for cluster C. This paper presents a useful method to find indicator species.

Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activity of Dehydrozingerone based Cyclopropyl Derivatives.

A small series of 1-acetyl-2-(4-alkoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropanes was prepared, starting from dehydrozingerone (4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one) and its O-alkyl derivatives. Their microbiological activities toward some strains of bacteria and fungi were tested, as well as their in vitro cytotoxic activity against some cancer cell lines (HeLa, LS174 and A549). All synthesized compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity and expressed cytotoxic activity against tested carcinoma cell lines, but they showed no significant influence on normal cell line (MRC5). Butyl derivative is the most active on HeLa cells (IC50 = 8.63 µm), while benzyl one is active against LS174 and A549 cell lines (IC50 = 10.17 and 12.15 µm, respectively).

Phytochemical study and antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities of Melanelia subaurifera and Melanelia fuliginosa lichens.

The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancerous activity of Melanelia subaurifera and Melanelia fuliginosa. The phytochemical analysis was determined by HPLC-UV method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and reducing power assay while antimicrobial activity was determined by minimal inhibitory concentration. The cytotoxic activity was tested using MTT method. The method for quantification of 2'-O-methyl anziaic acid and lecanoric acid in these lichens using RF-HPLC was also developed and validated. The depsides (lecanoric acid, gyrophoric acid, atranorin, anziaic acid and 2'-O-methyl anziaic acid), and dibenzofurane (usnic acid) were identified in these lichens. The antioxidant activity (IC50) of lichens extracts ranged from 121.52 to 424.51 µg/ml. 2'-O-Methyl anziaic acid showed the highest antimicrobial activity with MIC ranging from 0.0625 to 1 mg/ml. M. subaurifera extract showed the highest cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines (IC50 = 9.88 to 31.64 µg/ml).

Biological potential of marine macroalgae of the genus Cystoseira.

In the present investigation the acetone extracts of three macroalgae, Cystoseira amentacea, Cystoseira barbata and Cystoseira compressa, were tested for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential. As a result of the study, C. amentacea extract had more potent free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 409.81 µg/mL) than C. barbata and C. compressa extracts. For reducing power, measured values of absorbance varied from 0.0352 to 0.8873. The IC50 values for superoxide anion scavenging activity for different extracts were 521.45-976.62 µg/mL. Total phenol and flavonoid contents in extracts were 39.96-81.28 µg PE/mg and 20.85-64.58 µg RE/mg respectively. Further, all three Cystoseira species exhibited a similar antimicrobial activity. The lowest MIC value (0.312 mg/mL) was shown in the extract obtained from C. compressa against Bacillus subtilis. Finally, extract of C. amentacea expressed the strongest cytotoxic activity toward tested cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 94.72 to 186.55 µg/mL. Based on these results, it can be stated that the tested macroalgae can be used as potential natural antioxidants and antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.

Phytochemical composition, biological activity and anti-inflammatory potential of acetone extract from the lichen Platismatia glauca (L.) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb.

This investigation examined the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities of the acetone extract of the lichen Platismatia glauca (L.) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. (PGAE). The phytochemical study of PGAE showed presence of seven compounds: salazinic acid, ß-orcinol carboxylic acid, 3-hydroxyphysodalic acid, physodalic acid, physodic acid, atranorin, and chloroatranorin. The antimicrobial potential was determined by microdilution which showed that S. aureus was most sensitive to the effect of PGAE with MIC value 0.312 mg/ml. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using DPPH method. The obtained IC50 value for PGAE was 194.30 ± 3.32 µg/ml. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was evaluated by MTT test and the strongest activity was towards human epithelial carcinoma cells with IC50 value of 59.10 ± 0.46 µg/ml. The findings revealed that the application of lichen extracts decreased the paw edoema in a dose-dependent manner at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h following carrageenan administration.

Biological activities of Toninia candida and Usnea barbata together with their norstictic acid and usnic acid constituents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of acetone extracts of the lichens Toninia candida and Usnea barbata and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities of these extracts together with some of their major metabolites. The chemical composition of T. candida and U. barbata extracts was determined using HPLC-UV analysis. The major phenolic compounds in these extracts were norstictic acid (T. candida) and usnic acid (U. barbata). Antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power and determination of total phenolic compounds. Results of the study proved that norstictic acid had the largest antioxidant activity. The total content of phenols in the extracts was determined as the pyrocatechol equivalent. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration using the broth microdilution method. The most active was usnic acid with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.0008 to 0.5 mg/mL. Anticancer activity was tested against FemX (human melanoma) and LS174 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines using the microculture tetrazolium test. Usnic acid was found to have the strongest anticancer activity towards both cell lines with IC(50) values of 12.72 and 15.66 µg/mL.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities of three Parmelia species.

BACKGROUND: Lichens are symbiotic organisms consisting of algae and fungi. They are used for human and animal nutrition and in the production of colours, perfumes and alcohol. Lichens have also been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as jaundice, pulmonary, stomach and cranial diseases. In this study the acetone extracts of three lichens, Parmelia caperata, Parmelia sulcata and Parmelia saxatilis, were tested for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer potential. RESULTS: Of the lichens tested, P. saxatilis had the highest free radical-scavenging activity (55.3% inhibition). Moreover, all tested extracts showed effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant effects of the tested extracts were observed. The extract of P. sulcata was most active in terms of antimicrobial ability, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.78 to 12.5 mg L⁻¹. All extracts were found to have strong anticancer activity, with IC50 values ranging from 9.55 to 22.95 µg mL⁻¹. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the tested lichen extracts exhibited strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. This suggests that lichens may be used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Synthesis, antitumor activity and QSAR studies of some 4-aminomethylidene derivatives of edaravone.

A series of aminomethylidene derivatives obtained from 4-formyledaravone were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. All the compounds were screened for their antitumor activity. The compound containing 5-phenylpyrazole moiety (3q) exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in in vitro assays, especially against human breast cancer MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-453 cell lines. The most important whole-molecule descriptors for antitumor activity on MDA-MB-453 cells belong to the group of quantum-chemical descriptors.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the lichens Cladonia furcata, Lecanora atra and Lecanora muralis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the acetone extracts of the lichens Cladonia furcata, Lecanora atra and Lecanora muralis. METHODS: Antioxidant activity was evaluated by five separate methods: free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, determination of total phenolic compounds and determination of total flavonoid content. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration by the broth microdilution method against six species of bacteria and ten species of fungi. Anticancer activity was tested against FemX (human melanoma) and LS174 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines using MTT method. RESULTS: Of the lichens tested, Lecanora atra had largest free radical scavenging activity (94.7% inhibition), which was greater than the standard antioxidants. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. The strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant effect of tested extracts were observed. Extract of Cladonia furcata was the most active antimicrobial agent with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.78 to 25 mg/mL. All extracts were found to be strong anticancer activity toward both cell lines with IC(50) values ranging from 8.51 to 40.22 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that tested lichen extracts demonstrated a strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. That suggest that lichens may be used as as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents to control various human, animal and plant diseases.

Antioxidant properties of some lichen species.

Antioxidant activity of the acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the lichens Cladonia furcata, Hypogymnia physodes, Lasallia pustulata, Parmelia caperata and Parmelia sulcata has been screened in vitro by using different methods (DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, determination of total phenolic compounds and determination of total flavonoid content). Of the lichens tested, Lasallia pustulata had powerful antioxidant activities. Acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of this lichen showed 90.93, 69.87 and 65.08% DPPH radical scavenging activities. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Those various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and α-tocopherol. In addition, total content of phenol and flavonoid in extracts were determined as pyrocatechol equivalent, and as rutin equivalent, respectively. The strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidative activities of tested extracts suggest that these compounds play important role in antioxidant activity. The present stady shows that tested lichen species demonstrated a strong antioxidant activity and can be considered as good sources of natural antioxidants.

Lichens as possible sources of antioxidants.

Acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the lichen Cetraria islandica, Lecanora atra, Parmelia pertusa, Pseudoevernia furfuraceae and Umbilicaria cylindrica were investigated for antioxidant activity by five different methods: DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, determination of total phenolic compounds and determination of total flavonoid content. Different antioxidant activities of the tested extracts were studied in comparison to known antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and α-tocopherol. The tested extracts had strong antioxidant activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity ranging from 32.68-94.70%. For reducing power, measured values of absorbance varied from 0.016 to 0.109. The superoxide anion scavenging activity for different extracts was 7.31-84.51%. In addition, the high contents of total phenolic compounds (12-76.42 µg of pyrocatechol equivalent) and total flavonoids (1.37-54.77 µg of rutin equivalent) suggests that phenols and flavonoids might be the major antioxidant compounds in studied extracts. Tested lichen species were found to possess effective antioxidant activities and can be used as good natural sources of antioxidants.

Evaluation of metal concentration and antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer potentials of two edible mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera.

This study is designed for the determination of metal concentrations, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer potential of two edible mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera. Concentrations of nine metals are determined and all metals are present in the allowable concentrations in the tested mushrooms except Cd in M. procera. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging and reducing power. M. procera extract had more potent free radical scavenging activity (IC50=311.40 µg/mL) than L. deliciosus extract. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power. The total content of phenol in the extracts was examined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and obtained values expressed as pyrocatechol equivalents. Further, the antimicrobial potential was determined with a microdilution method on 15 microorganisms. Among the tested species, extract of L. deliciosus showed a better antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 2.5 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. Finally, the cytotoxic activity was tested using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method on human epithelial carcinoma HeLa cells, human lung carcinoma A549 cells, and human colon carcinoma LS174 cells. Extract of both mushrooms expressed similar cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 19.01 µg/mL to 80.27 µg/mL.

Species of Genus Ganoderma (Agaricomycetes) Fermentation Broth: A Novel Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agent.

The bioactivity of Ganoderma lucidum basidiocarps has been well documented, but there are no data on the medicinal properties of its submerged cultivation broth nor on the other species of the genus Ganoderma. Thus the aim of this study was to test the potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of fermentation broth obtained after submerged cultivation of G. applanatum, G. carnosum, and G. lucidum. DPPH· scavenging ability, total phenols, and flavonoid contents were measured to determine the antioxidative potential of Ganoderma spp. fermentation filtrates, whereas their antimicrobial potential was studied using the microdilution method. DPPH· scavenging activity of G. lucidum fermentation filtrates was significantly higher than that of G. applanatum and G. carnosum, with the maximum (39.67%) obtained from strain BEOFB 432. This filtrate also contained the highest concentrations of phenols (134.89 µg gallic acid equivalents/mL) and flavonoids (42.20 µg quercetin equivalent/mL). High correlations between the activity and phenol content in the extracts showed that these compounds were active components of the antioxidative activity. G. lucidum strain BEOFB 432 was the most effective antibacterial agent, whereas strain BEOFB 434 has proven to be the most effective antifungal agent. The study showed that Ganoderma spp. fermentation filtrates are novel potent antioxidative and antimicrobial agents that could be obtained more quickly and cheaper than basidiocarps.

Lasallia pustulata lichen as possible natural antigenotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agent.

The methanol extract of the lichen Lasallia pustulata was tested for genotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. We did this using a cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assay on peripheral blood lymphocytes, by measuring free radical and superoxide anion scavenging activity, reducing power, determining of total phenolic compounds and determining the total flavonoid content, measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration by the broth microdilution method against five species of bacteria and five species of fungi and by using the microculture tetrazolium test on FemX (human melanoma) and LS174 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines. As a result of this study, we found that the methanol extract of L. pustulata did not modify the frequency of the MN and nuclear division index in comparison to untreated cells (p > 0.05). These results revealed that the methanol extract had moderate free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 395.56 µg/mL. Moreover, the extract tested had effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. The values of the minimum inhibitory concentration against the tested microorganisms ranged from 0.625 to 20 mg/mL. In addition, the extract tested had strong anticancer activity against both cell lines with IC50 values of 46.67 and 71.71 µg/mL.

Biopharmaceutical Potential of Two Ramalina Lichens and their Metabolites.

This paper studies the phytochemical analysis of the acetone extracts of the Ramalina fraxinea and Ramalina fastigiata lichens and the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumour activities of these species and their constituents. The phytochemical analysis of two Ramalina species was evaluated using HPLC-UV test. The depsides (evernic acid, obtusatic acid, sekikaic acid and atranorin), depsidones (protocetraric acid) and dibenzofurane (usnic acid) were identified from these lichens. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay, reducing power assay and by measuring the amounts of total phenolics in extracts. Antimicrobial activity was tested towards five bacterial and 10 fungal species, using broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Cytotoxic activity was tested using MTT method on the human epithelial carcinoma (Hela), human lung carcinoma (A549) and human colon carcinoma (LS174) cells. As a result of the study, tested samples showed strong free radical scavenging activity with I50 values within the range of 285.45-423.51 µg/mL. Absorbance for reducing power was found to be from 0.0043 to 0.1747. The total amount of phenol concentrations in extracts of Ramalina fraxinea and Ramalina fastigiata was 32.63 and 33.49 µg PE/mg, respectively. Methyl evernate showed the strongest antimicrobial properties with the least measured MIC value being 0.125 mg/mL. In addition, all samples exhibited strong anticancer activities against tested cells (I50 values were between 24.63 and 161.37 µg/mL). These results indicate that lichen appears to be a possible natural biopharmaceutical.

Synthesis, characterization, biological activity, DNA and BSA binding study: novel copper(ii) complexes with 2-hydroxy-4-aryl-4-oxo-2-butenoate.

A serie of novel square pyramidal copper(ii) complexes [Cu(L)2H2O] (3a-d) with O,O-bidentate ligands [L = ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-aryl-4-oxo-2-butenoate; aryl = 3-methoxyphenyl-2a, (E)-2-phenylvinyl-2b, (E)-2-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)vinyl-2c, 3-nitrophenyl-2d, 2-thienyl-2e] were synthesized and characterized by spectral (UV-Vis, IR, ESI-MS and EPR), elemental and X-ray analysis. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth microdilution method. The most active antibacterial compounds were 3c and 3d, while the best antifungal activity was showed by complexes 3b and 3e. The lowest MIC value (0.048 mg mL-1) was measured for 3c against Proteus mirabilis. The cytotoxic activity was tested using the MTT method on human epithelial carcinoma HeLa cells, human lung carcinoma A549 cells and human colon carcinoma LS174 cells. All complexes showed extremely better cytotoxic activity compared to cisplatin at all tested concentrations. Compound 3d expressed the best activity against all tested cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 7.45 to 7.91 µg mL-1. The type of cell death and the impact on the cell cycle for 3d and 3e were evaluated by flow cytometry. Both compounds induced apoptosis and S phase cell cycle arrest. The interactions between selected complexes (3d and 3e) and CT-DNA or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by the fluorescence spectroscopic method. Competitive experiments with ethidium bromide (EB) indicated that 3d and 3e have a propensity to displace EB from the EB-DNA complex through intercalation suggesting strong competition with EB [Ksv = (1.4 ± 0.2) and (2.9 ± 0.1) × 104 M-1, respectively]. Ksv values indicate that these complexes bind to DNA covalently and non-covalently. The achieved results in the fluorescence titration of BSA with 3d and 3e [Ka = (2.9 ± 0.2) × 106 and (2.5 ± 0.2) × 105 M, respectively] showed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA is a result of the formation of the 3d- and 3e-BSA complexes. The obtained Ka values are high enough to ensure that a significant amount of 3d and 3e gets transported and distributed through the cells.

Five Serbian reservoirs contain different fungal propagules.

This paper presents results of a mycological survey conducted in five large reservoirs in Serbia (Sjenica, Barje, Garasi, Meduvrsje and Ovcar-Kablar) that have different hydrobiological and production characteristics. The sampling was conducted in March, June, August and October 2002. Quantitative analysis of fungal communities showed that the average number of colony-forming units in these reservoirs was 1966-5682/L of water. The highest number of CFUs was found in the alpha-mesosaprobic (Class III) Ovcar-Kablar Reservoir and the lowest was in the oligosaprobic (Class I) Sjenica Reservoir. CFUs were higher in samples taken near lake bottoms and in littoral zones rich with macrovegetation than in the middle depths. In these reservoirs 48 species were identified from 720 isolates. The dominant genera were Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Phoma and Verticillium. The autochthonous aquatic fungal community comprised these species: Achlya americana, A. diffusa, A. racemosa, Dictyuchus sterile, Isoachlya toruloides, Leptomitus lacteus, Pythium ultimum, Saprolegnia ferax, S. hypogyna and S. monica. My results indicate that aquatic fungi on the whole are better represented in lakes with a higher trophic status.

Antagonistic activity of a natural fungal population towards pathogenic bacteria. An in vitro study.

In the present work, we performed in vitro testing of 33 species of fungi of the subdivision Deuteromycotina isolated from water and sediment of the Kolubara River for antagonistic action towards 11 species of pathogenic bacteria. Of gram-negative bacteria, the species most sensitive to metabolic fluid of the fungi were Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella sonnei, while the most resistant were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium. Of gram-positive bacteria, the most sensitive species was Staphylococcus aureus, while the most resistant was Enterococcus faecalis. Of the tested fungi, Penicillium canescens, P. simplicissimum, P. thomii, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. ochraceus, and Fusarium culmorum exerted inhibitory action on the greatest number of species of pathogenic bacteria, while Verticillium lateritium, V. tenerum, Phoma humicola, and Botrytis cinerea had an inhibiting effect on the least number of species.

Biological activities of two macroalgae from Adriatic coast of Montenegro.

In the present investigation the acetone extracts of macroalgae Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha intestinalis were tested for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging capacity of tested samples on DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, reducing the power of samples and determination of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in extracts. As a result of the study, U. lactuca extract was found to have a better free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 623.58 µg/ml) than E. intestinalis extract (IC50 = 732.12 µg/ml). Moreover, the tested extracts had effective ferric reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. The total content of phenol in extracts of U. lactuca and E. intestinalis was 58.15 and 40.68 µg PE/mg, while concentrations of flavonoids were 39.58 and 21.74 µg RE/mg, respectively. Furthermore, among the tested species, extracts of U. lactuca showed a better antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.156 to 5 mg/ml, but it was relatively weak in comparison with standard antibiotics. Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus subtilis were the most susceptible to the tested extracts. Contrary to this Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium purpurescens were the most resistant. Finally, cytotoxic activity of tested extracts was evaluated on four human cancer cell lines. Extract of E. intestinalis expressed the stronger cytotoxic activity towards all tested cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 74.73 to 155.39 µg/ml.

Biological activities and chemical composition of lichens from Serbia.

The aim of this study is to investigate chemical composition of acetone extracts of the lichens Parmelia arseneana and Acarospora fuscata and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities of these extracts and gyrophoric acid isolated from A. fuscata. The HPLC-UV method was used for the identification of secondary metabolites. Stictic acid, norstictic acid, gyrophoric acid, usnic acid, atranorin and chloroatranorin were identified in the A. fuscata. In P. arseneana, we detected stictic acid, norstictic acid, usnic acid and atranorin, while gyrophoric acid was not identified. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging capacity of tested samples on DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, reducing the power of samples and determination of total phenolic compounds in extracts. As a result of the study, gyrophoric acid was found to have the largest DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 105.75 µg/ml. Moreover, the tested samples had an effective superoxide anion radical scavenging and reducing power. The total content of phenol in extracts was determined as pyrocatechol equivalent. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration by the broth microdilution method. The most active was also gyrophoric acid, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.019 to 1.25 mg/ml. Anticancer activity was tested against LS174 (human colon carcinoma cell line), A549 (human lung carcinoma cell line), Fem-x (malignant melanoma cell line), and a chronic myelogeneous leukaemia K562 cell line using the MTT method. Extract of P. arseneana expressed the strongest anticancer activity against all cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 11.61 to 47.06 µg/ml.