Lichens are complex organisms formed by the symbiosis of (at least) one fungus and one or more populations of photosynthetic algae that thrive in extreme environments such as Antarctica. In addition to this amazing ability, national researchers have discovered that these lichens can be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The project of the National Antarctic Science Program (Procien) funded by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) “Secondary metabolites isolated from Antarctic lichens as inhibitors and stabilizers of cytoskeletons in tauopathies” is led by Alberto Cornejo Mora, academic and researcher at the CATEM Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of the Andrés Bello University (UNAB).
This team, in collaboration with the natural products group led by Carlos Areche, from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Chile, has managed to identify a series of secondary metabolites that are synthesized by the fungus and that could have promising pharmacological properties.
Neurodegenerative diseases represent a significant public health burden globally, and their incidence is expected to triple by 2040 due to population ageing. In addition, many patients have other health conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis that worsen their condition.
Cornejo points out that current medications only treat the symptoms and cannot reverse the disease. “From a therapeutic point of view, the treatment for both diseases is oriented towards the symptoms and is focused on the treatment of dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease and on the restitution of L-DOPA in the case of Parkinson’s. But it is well known that the medications prescribed to treat cases of dementia (Donepezil) and motor symptoms (Levodopa) are not capable of reversing them,” he points out.
The team led by Cornejo has managed to isolate several compounds from lichens that may have inhibitory properties on the formation of toxic aggregates in proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Notable among them is fumarprotocetraric acid, isolated from the lichen Cladonia cariosa in Fildes Bay on King George Island.
Fumaroptocetranic acid has been shown to inhibit the formation of aggregates of both the tau protein and alpha-synuclein protein, which are associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s respectively. These findings represent a significant advance in the search for effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
The results of this research, which have been published in specialist journals, open up new perspectives in the field of medicine and offer hope to millions of people affected by neurodegenerative diseases around the world.
INACH is a technical body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with full autonomy in all matters related to Antarctic matters of a scientific, technological and dissemination nature. INACH complies with the National Antarctic Policy by encouraging the development of research excellence, effectively participating in the Antarctic Treaty System and related forums, strengthening Magallanes as a gateway to the White Continent and carrying out actions to disseminate Antarctic knowledge to the public.
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