Isolation, identification, and cytotoxic study of secondary metabolites from Pyxine Coccifera lichen

Background: Lichens are renowned organisms with slow growth rate and are competent to extreme habitats with their bioactive secondary metabolites getting enormous attention owing to their dominant contribution in therapeutics. The present work focuses on the ethanolic extraction of a novel secondary metabolite, 5, 7-dihydroxy-3-(1-oxo-1H-inden-7-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one from Pyxine coccifera lichen. Materials and Methods: The secondary metabolite is isolated using column chromatographic technique. A comprehensive phytochemical analysis of the extract is carried out using various characterization techniques. Results: Using ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared, Thin-layer chromatography High-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry, a detailed phytochemical study of P. coccifera ethanolic extract was performed. The results led to the identification and characterization of 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1-oxo-1H-inden-7-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one based on their precise molecular masses and molecular formula. After dose-dependent treatment with lichen ethanol extract, cell viability analysis measured after 48 h revealed that the morphology of A549 human lung cancer cells had changed. In comparison to monitor cell viability, P. coccifera ethanolic extract (17.50 μg) significantly reduced the spread of A549 human lung cancer cells. Conclusions: The isolated bioactive secondary metabolite has excellent antiproliferative activity against A-549 lung cancer cells.