Lichens as source of versatile bioactive compounds

Abstract

Lichens represent unique symbiosis of fungi (mycobionts) and algae (photobionts). Living in extreme conditions they developed various compounds to survive. Many of these original compounds have proven biological activities (antibiotic, antimycotic, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, etc) . This paper is synthesis of currently known data about lichens extracts and their potential use in pharmaceutics and medicine.