A Note on the Action of Usnic Acid on Anaesthetized Cats.

Objective: Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. A common treatment strategy for BC is still not available because of its molecular heterogeneity and resistance is developed in most of the patients through the course of treatment. Therefore, alternative medicine resources as being novel treatment options are needed to be used for the treatment of BC. Usnic Acid (UA) that is one of the secondary metabolites of lichens used for different purposes in the field of medicine and its anti-proliferative effect has been shown in certain cancer types, suggesting its potential use for the treatment. Methods: Anti-proliferative effect of UA in BC cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, BT-474) was identified through MTT analysis. Microarray analysis was performed in cells treated with the effective concentration of UA and UA-responsive miRNAs were detected. Their targets and the pathways that they involve were determined using a miRNA target prediction tool. Results: Microarray experiments showed that 67 miRNAs were specifically responsive to UA in MDA-MB-231 cells while 15 and 8 were specific to BT-474 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The miRNA targets were mostly found to play role in Hedgehog signaling pathway. TGF-Beta, MAPK and apoptosis pathways were also the prominent ones according to the miRNA enrichment analysis. Conclusion: The current study is important as being the first study in the literature which aimed to explore the UA related miRNAs, their targets and molecular pathways that may have roles in the BC. The results of pathway enrichment analysis and anti-proliferative effects of UA support the idea that UA might be used as a potential alternative therapeutic agent for BC treatment.

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Promising nanogels loaded with usnic acid for oral ulcer treatment: development, characterization, and in vivo evaluation in rabbits

Pharmaceutical Development and Technology ◽

10.1080/10837450.2021.1885441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 431-443

Author(s):

Nesrin Coşkunmeriç ◽

Neslihan Üstündağ Okur ◽

Mehmet Evren Okur ◽

Şule Ayla ◽

Ayşegül Yoltaş ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Usnic Acid ◽

Oral Ulcer ◽

In Vivo Evaluation ◽

Treatment Development ◽

Ulcer Treatment

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Contributions to the Knowledge of the Lichen Flora of the Himalayas III. On Lecanora Somervellii Paulson (Lichenized Ascomycotina, Lecanoraceae)

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s0024282900500036 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 111-117

Author(s):

W. Obermayer ◽

J. Poelt

Keyword(s):

Usnic Acid ◽

Type Material ◽

Lemon Yellow ◽

High Altitudes ◽

Yellow Colour ◽

Alpine Species ◽

The Alps ◽

High Himalayas ◽

Very High ◽

Lichen Flora

Abstract The lichen Lecanora somervellii Paulson, first described from the northern slopes of Mt Everest in Tibet, has been collected at four other localities in the High Himalayas, at altitudes between 3750 and 5540 m. As the type material appears to be missing, a neotype is designated here. The species has an unusual lemon yellow colour due to the pigment calycin; this compound is in addition to usnic acid, which is widespread in Lecanora. Lecanora somervellii is otherwise very similar in essential characters to the complex including Lecanora concolor Ram. and L. orbicularis (Schaerer) Vainio, high alpine species well-known, for example, from the Alps. It is supposed, that L. somervellii is derived from this aggregate by the production of calycin (in addition to usnic acid), which acts as an additional protective pigment at these very high altitudes.

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