Parietinic acid
Parietinic acid is a secondary metabolite predominantly found in lichens, particularly within the Parmeliaceae family. It is a type of lichen acid, a group of compounds that play a crucial role in protecting lichens from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, microbial infection, and herbivory. Parietinic acid, with its distinctive yellow to orange color, contributes significantly to the coloration of lichens in which it is present.
Chemistry[edit | edit source]
Parietinic acid is an anthraquinone derivative, characterized by its polycyclic structure that includes a quinone moiety. This chemical structure is responsible for its bioactive properties, including its role as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and UV-protectant. The compound's ability to absorb UV light helps to shield the lichen's photosynthetic components, such as algae or cyanobacteria, from harmful radiation.
Biosynthesis[edit | edit source]
The biosynthesis of parietinic acid in lichens involves the polyketide pathway, which is a common biochemical pathway for the production of secondary metabolites in fungi. This pathway involves the iterative condensation of acetyl-CoA units to form complex polyketides, which are then modified through various enzymatic reactions to produce the final product, parietinic acid.
Ecological Role[edit | edit source]
Parietinic acid plays a significant ecological role in the survival and proliferation of lichens. By absorbing UV radiation, it protects the lichen's symbiotic partners from DNA damage, thereby ensuring the lichen's longevity and reproductive success. Additionally, its antimicrobial properties help to defend against pathogenic microorganisms, while its bitter taste deters herbivores.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Research into parietinic acid has indicated potential applications in pharmacology and cosmetics. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties suggest it could be useful in developing treatments for oxidative stress-related diseases and infections. Furthermore, its ability to absorb UV light could make it a valuable ingredient in sunscreen and other skincare products designed to protect the skin from UV damage.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
