Ethnobiology, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Usnea Longissima: A Review

Bharti Sharma¹ , Mamta Bhat²

Section:Review Paper, Product Type: Isroset-Journal
Vol.6 , Issue.1 , pp.263-269, Feb-2019

CrossRef-DOI:   https://doi.org/10.26438/ijsrbs/v6i1.263269

Online published on Feb 28, 2019

Copyright © Bharti Sharma , Mamta Bhat . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
Lichenized fungi or lichens are believed to be one of the most inconspicuous living forms on the earth. The traditional knowledge of numerous benefits which lichens possess has been transcended over the centuries within and among the humans. All the different growth forms of lichens have been used by man in one way or the other. These find their use as source of different medicines, food, fodder, dye and as ingredients in perfumery. They are pioneers in ecological succession and also serve as indicators of pollution. Usnea longissima is a fruticose form of lichen that has been used as a traditional medicine for centuries. Scientific studies have proved that the pharmacological properties of the species are due to presence of several important secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites possess antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial activity and thus can be used for the control and treatment of several diseases. The present communication gives a review of the multifarious benefits associated with Usnea longissima along with the emphasis on its pharmacological properties.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Usnea longissima, Diffractaic acid, Usnic acid, phytochemistry, ethnobotany

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