The lichens are being used as nutraceuticals by different cultures across the world. With this in mind, our attention was drawn towards determination of nutraceutical active lichens. As a result we have evaluated the pharmaceutically active profile of lichens, Graphis ajarekarii and Parmotrema tinctorum. The different extracts from lichens, G. ajarekarii and P. tinctorum were evaluated for their antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radical assays), toxicity (in male albino rats), hypoglycaemic (oral glucose tolerance test in rats) and antidiabetic (Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats) studies. Among all the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate extract from G. ajarekarii (Ga-EA) and P. tinctorum (Pt-EA) were active against free radicals and diabetes. The IC50 values of DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radicals of Ga-EA were found to be 62, 54 and 59 µg/mL, respectively, while Pt-EA were 60, 71 and 60 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the LD50 values of hydroalcoholic extracts from G. ajarekarii and P. tinctorum were found to be ˂2000 mg/kg b.w. Oral administration of Pt-EA and Ga-EA extracts (200 mg/kg b.w) reduced the plasma glucose levels in normal, oral glucose loaded and STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly within 240 and 360 min, respectively. This toxicopharmacological study revealed that the dietary consumption of lichens, G. ajarekarii and P. tinctorum has antidiabetic aptitude in relationship with their antioxidant ability.
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