Determination of biological activities of some species of Ramalina (ACH.) distributed in turkey

In this study, it was aimed to investigate antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects and DNA protective effects of methanol extracts obtanined from R. digitellata (Nyl), R. fastigiata (Ach.), R. polymorpha (Lilja.) Ach and R. fraxine (L.) Ach. species that distributed in Turkey. The amount of usnic acid for four lichen species was determined by HPLC and the highest amount was found in R. digitellata. The highest total phenol content was determined in R. digitellata (144,6 9mgGAE / gextract), and the total amount of flavonoids in R. fastigiata (20,40 mgGAE / gextract). DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzathiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] methods have been used for antioxidant activity, R. fraxinea showed the highest DPPH inhibition and ABTS activity. Disc diffusion method was used to investigate antimicrobial activity, and the best effect was observed in the methanol extract of R. digitellata with a 12.5 mm zone on Proteus mirabilis. Cytotoxic activity was determined by MTT test on human lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell line. R. digitellata (21% viability 1000 µg / mL) on A549 and R. fastigiata (4.05 % viability 1000 µg / mL) showed the best cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-231. At the same time, DNA protective effect was investigated by using pBR322 plasmid DNA and all studied species were found to have DNA protective effects. Key words: Ramalina, Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, pBR322.