Studies on Proximate Composition, Antifungal and Anthelmintic activity of a macrolichen Ramalina hossei H. Magn & G. Awasthi

Lichens and lichen products have been used in traditional medicines for centuries. The present study describes the proximate composition, antifungal and anthelmintic activity of the macrolichen Ramalina hossei H. Magn & G. Awasthi (Ramalinaceae) collected from forest area of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka, India. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and thin layer chromatography showed the presence of Usnic acid and sekikaic acid aggregates, tannins and terpenoids. Among solvent extracts, methanol extract was found to produce marked inhibition of test fungi followed by other extracts. Overall, A. niger was shown to be more sensitive than A. fumigatus. The solvent extracts exhibited marked anthelmintic activity in terms of causing paralysis and death of worms in dose dependent manner. Among extracts, potent anthelmintic activity was observed in case of methanol extract followed by other extracts. At 5% concentration, all the extracts except petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts showed greater activity than the standard drug piperazine citrate. Proximate analysis revealed high crude fibre (10.8%), appreciable amount of carbohydrate (59.9%) and nutritive value of 348.2 cal/100g. Concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was found to be 10358, 34.7, 32.8 and 180 ppm respectively. The results of the present study suggest that the lichen extracts could be used in the control of opportunistic fungal and helminthic infections. The results also highlighted the importance of the macrolichen studied in terms of its rich carbohydrate, protein, crude fibre and mineral composition and justify their possible use in reducing problems associated with malnourishment.