Vol. 6, Issue 9 (2017)

Author(s):
Ashutosh Pathak

Abstract:
Lichens are used traditionally all over the world. Two of such lichens viz. Thamnolia vermicularis and T. subuliformis used ethnically as tea by the folks of Yunnan, China. Thamnolic acid a compound produced by the thallus of aforementioned lichen species was investigated in present study for its binding affinity with the aggregative adherence fimbria protein of pathogenic bacteria of human intestine. Aggregative adherence fimbria protein is responsible for the recognition and adhesion of pathogen and causes the infection. The binding affinity was evaluated via AutoDock Vina and further visualized by Chimera. The successful docking of thamnolic acid within the binding sites of targeted protein provides the insight into the potential of thamnolic acid against intestinal infection. Thus, the ethnically used tea of lichen might be helpful against the pathogenic intestine infection of humans.