1
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Gao X, Campasino K, Yourick MR, Cao Y, Yourick JJ, Sprando RL. Oxidative DNA damage contributes to usnic acid-induced toxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:1329-1346. [PMID: 38724177 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Dietary supplements containing usnic acid have been increasingly marketed for weight loss over the past decades, even though incidences of severe hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure due to their overuse have been reported. To date, the toxic mechanism of usnic acid-induced liver injury at the molecular level still remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we conducted a transcriptomic study on usnic acid using a novel in vitro hepatotoxicity model employing human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes. Treatment with 20 μM usnic acid for 24 h caused 4272 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) based on the DEGs and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using the whole transcriptome expression data concordantly revealed several signaling pathways and biological processes that, when taken together, suggest that usnic acid caused oxidative stress and DNA damage in the cells, which further led to cell cycle arrest and eventually resulted in cell death through apoptosis. These transcriptomic findings were subsequently corroborated by a variety of cellular assays, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and glutathione (GSH) depletion, DNA damage (pH2AX detection and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OH-dg] assay), cell cycle analysis, and caspase 3/7 activity. Collectively, the results of the current study accord with previous in vivo and in vitro findings, provide further evidence that oxidative stress-caused DNA damage contributes to usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, shed new light on molecular mechanisms of usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, and demonstrate the usefulness of iPSC-derived hepatocytes as an in vitro model for hepatotoxicity testing and prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiugong Gao
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Kayla Campasino
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Miranda R Yourick
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Yu Cao
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Staff, Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Yourick
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert L Sprando
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
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2
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Kofler L, Grundmann L, Gerhalter M, Prattes M, Merl-Pham J, Zisser G, Grishkovskaya I, Hodirnau VV, Vareka M, Breinbauer R, Hauck SM, Haselbach D, Bergler H. The novel ribosome biogenesis inhibitor usnic acid blocks nucleolar pre-60S maturation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7511. [PMID: 39209816 PMCID: PMC11362459 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The formation of new ribosomes is tightly coordinated with cell growth and proliferation. In eukaryotes, the correct assembly of all ribosomal proteins and RNAs follows an intricate scheme of maturation and rearrangement steps across three cellular compartments: the nucleolus, nucleoplasm, and cytoplasm. We demonstrate that usnic acid, a lichen secondary metabolite, inhibits the maturation of the large ribosomal subunit in yeast. We combine biochemical characterization of pre-ribosomal particles with a quantitative single-particle cryo-EM approach to monitor changes in nucleolar particle populations upon drug treatment. Usnic acid rapidly blocks the transition from nucleolar state B to C of Nsa1-associated pre-ribosomes, depleting key maturation factors such as Dbp10 and hindering pre-rRNA processing. This primary nucleolar block rapidly rebounds on earlier stages of the pathway which highlights the regulatory linkages between different steps. In summary, we provide an in-depth characterization of the effect of usnic acid on ribosome biogenesis, which may have implications for its reported anti-cancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kofler
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Lorenz Grundmann
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, 1030, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Prattes
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Juliane Merl-Pham
- Core Facility Metabolomics and Proteomics (CF-MPC), Helmholtz Center Munich, German Center for Environmental Health GmbH, D-80939, Munich, Germany
| | - Gertrude Zisser
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Irina Grishkovskaya
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | | | - Martin Vareka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Rolf Breinbauer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Core Facility Metabolomics and Proteomics (CF-MPC), Helmholtz Center Munich, German Center for Environmental Health GmbH, D-80939, Munich, Germany
| | - David Haselbach
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, 1030, Austria.
| | - Helmut Bergler
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria.
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3
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Furmanek Ł, Czarnota P, Tekiela A, Kapusta I, Seaward MRD. A spectrophotometric analysis of extracted water-soluble phenolic metabolites of lichens. PLANTA 2024; 260:40. [PMID: 38954049 PMCID: PMC11219455 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04474-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Rainwater most probably constitutes a relatively effective solvent for lichen substances in nature which have the potential to provide for human and environmental needs in the future. The aims were (i) to test the hypothesis on the potential solubility of lichen phenolic compounds using rainwater under conditions that partly reflect the natural environment and (ii) to propose new and effective methods for the water extraction of lichen substances. The results of spectrophotometric analyses of total phenolic metabolites in rainwater-based extracts from epigeic and epiphytic lichens, employing the Folin-Ciocalteu (F.-C.) method, are presented. The water solvent was tested at three pH levels: natural, 3, and 9. Extraction methods were undertaken from two perspectives: the partial imitation of natural environmental conditions and the potential use of extraction for economic purposes. From an ecological perspective, room-temperature water extraction ('cold' method) was used for 10-, 60-, and 120-min extraction periods. A variant of water extraction at analogous time intervals was an 'insolation' with a 100W light bulb to simulate the heat energy of the sun. For economic purposes, the water extraction method used the Soxhlet apparatus and its modified version, the 'tea-extraction' method ('hot' ones). The results showed that those extractions without an external heat source were almost ineffective, but insolation over 60- and 120-min periods proved to be more effective. Both tested 'hot' methods also proved to be effective, especially the 'tea-extraction' one. Generally, an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in water extracts resulted from an increasing solvent pH. The results show the probable involvement of lichen substances in biogeochemical processes in nature and their promising use for a variety of human necessities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Furmanek
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 4 Street, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland.
- Unit for Assessment of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Documentation, Department for Assessment of Medicinal Products Documentation, The Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paweł Czarnota
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 4 Street, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Agata Tekiela
- Department of Agroecology and Forest Utilization, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A Street, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Kapusta
- Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1 Street, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mark R D Seaward
- School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
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4
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Đukić V, Usman M, Khalid AN, Manojlović A, Zarić M, Čanović P, Živković-Zarić R, Manojlović N. Phytochemical composition and antitumor activity of a new arctic lichen Anamylopsora pakistanica. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38907658 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2365444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
For the first-time, chemical composition and in vitro antitumor activity was investigated of a newly described lichen Anamylopsora pakistanica Usman & Khalid from the second highest plateau of the world (Deosai Plains, Pakistan). HPLC-UV method was used for identification of secondary metabolites and the acetone extract had higher values of TPC (41.90 mg GA/g) and TFC (75.37 mg RE/g) as compared to methanol extract. As chemical constituents 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methylphthalide, haematommic acid and alectorialic acid, were identified as major compounds. Atranol, alectorialin, gyrophoric acid and usnic acid were detected as minor substances. Acetone and methanol extracts induced a dose-dependent and time-dependent decrease in the viability of three types of tumour cells HeLa, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231. This lichen extract can induce S phase arrest in HeLa as compared to the untreated cells. Extract of this unique lichen, A. pakistanica, can be used safely as a significant source of biologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojislav Đukić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Fungal Biology and Systematics Research Laboratory, Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Nasir Khalid
- Fungal Biology and Systematics Research Laboratory, Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anja Manojlović
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milan Zarić
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Petar Čanović
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Radica Živković-Zarić
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nedeljko Manojlović
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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5
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Rosa L, Cutone A, Galla R, Uberti F, Valenti P. Neutralizing activity of Usnic acid and β-cyclodextrins complex against SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus. Nat Prod Res 2024; 38:2129-2134. [PMID: 37436919 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2235715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its infection severity require an urgent development of antiviral agents. In this respect, Usnic acid (UA), a natural dibenzofuran derivative, exerts antiviral activity against several viruses, though presenting very low solubility and high cytotoxicity. Here, UA was complexed with β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs), a pharmaceutical excipient used to improve drug solubility. The cytotoxic activity, tested on Vero E6 cells, revealed no effect for β-CDs alone whereas significant cytotoxicity for the UA/β-CDs complex was recorded at concentrations ≥ 0.05%. The neutralizing activity towards the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Pseudovirus showed no effects for β-CDs alone whereas the UA/β-CDs complex, when pre-incubated with the viral particles, efficiently inhibited the Pseudoviral fusion of about 90 and 82% at non-cytotoxic concentrations of 0.03 and 0.01%, respectively. In conclusion, although further evidences are needed to clarify the exact inhibition mechanism, UA/β-CDs complex could be useful in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Rebecca Galla
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Noivita srls, spin-off, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesca Uberti
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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6
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Roney M, Singh G, Huq AKMM, Forid MS, Ishak WMBW, Rullah K, Aluwi MFFM, Tajuddin SN. Identification of Pyrazole Derivatives of Usnic Acid as Novel Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Through Virtual Screening Approaches. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:696-706. [PMID: 36752937 PMCID: PMC9907211 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00667-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The infection produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a significant health crisis worldwide. The lack of specific medications for COVID-19 necessitates a concerted effort to find the much-desired therapies for this condition. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a promising target, vital for virus replication and transcription. In this study, fifty pyrazole derivatives were tested for their pharmacokinetics and drugability, resulting in eight hit compounds. Subsequent molecular docking simulations on SARS-CoV-2 main protease afforded two lead compounds with strong affinity at the active site. Additionally, the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lead compounds (17 and 39), along with binding free energy calculations, were accomplished to validate the stability of the docked complexes and the binding poses achieved in docking experiments. Based on these findings, compound 17 and 39, with their favorable projected pharmacokinetics and pharmacological characteristics, are the proposed potential antiviral candidates which require further investigation to be used as anti-SARS-CoV-2 medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miah Roney
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
- Bio Aromatic Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Section of Microbiology, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - A K M Moyeenul Huq
- Bio Aromatic Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, 74/A, Green Road, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Shaekh Forid
- Faculty of Chemical and Processing Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Maznah Binti Wan Ishak
- Faculty of Chemical and Processing Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - Kamal Rullah
- Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd Aluwi
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
- Bio Aromatic Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
| | - Saiful Nizam Tajuddin
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
- Bio Aromatic Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
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7
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Yu XH, Dong J, Fan CP, Chen MX, Li M, Zheng BF, Hu YF, Lin HY, Yang GF. Discovery and Development of 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase as a Novel Crop Fungicide Target. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:19396-19407. [PMID: 38035573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi pose a significant threat to crop yields and quality, and the emergence of fungicide resistance has further exacerbated the problem in agriculture. Therefore, there is an urgent need for efficient and environmentally friendly fungicides. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of (+)-Usnic acid and its inhibitory effect on crop pathogenic fungal 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenases (HPPDs) and determined the structure of Zymoseptoria tritici HPPD (ZtHPPD)-(+)-Usnic acid complex. Thus, the antifungal target of (+)-Usnic acid and its inhibitory basis toward HPPD were uncovered. Additionally, we discovered a potential lead fungicide possessing a novel scaffold that displayed remarkable antifungal activities. Furthermore, our molecular docking analysis revealed the unique binding mode of this compound with ZtHPPD, explaining its high inhibitory effect. We concluded that HPPD represents a promising target for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, and the new compound serves as a novel starting point for the development of fungicides and dual-purpose pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-He Yu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Jin Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Cheng-Peng Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Xi Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Min Li
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Bai-Feng Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Fang Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Yan Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Guang-Fu Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
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8
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Guddeti DK, Kolukula A, Siva B, Jadav SS, Tiwari AK, Komati A, Andugulapati SB, Ramalingam V, Katragadda SB. Synthesis of aminomethyl linked (+)-usnic acid derivatives via the Mannich reaction and evaluation of their biological activities. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37812197 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2263900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
(+)-Usnic acid (UA), a natural dibenzofuran derivative, abundantly produced by lichens and possess wide number of biomedical applications including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anticancer activities. In the present study, as series of usnic acid derivatives (3a-3i) were synthesised using Mannich reaction assessed for their antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and anticancer activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity showed that compound 3d displayed potent antioxidant activity by scavenging the activities of DPPH and ABTS+. The compounds 3d and 3e showed potent cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cancer cells by arresting the cell cycle at S phase and regulating the Bax/BcL2 expression and subsequently induce the apoptosis. Overall, the results clearly indicated that (+)-usnic acid derivatives bearing secondary amines are useful scaffolds for the development of drug candidates for treatment of oxidative stress mediated cancer and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep Kumar Guddeti
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ashwini Kolukula
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Bandi Siva
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Surender Singh Jadav
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ashok K Tiwari
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Anusha Komati
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sai Balaji Andugulapati
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vaikundamoorthy Ramalingam
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Suresh Babu Katragadda
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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9
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Gimła M, Pyrczak-Felczykowska A, Malinowska M, Hać A, Narajczyk M, Bylińska I, Reekie TA, Herman-Antosiewicz A. The pyrazole derivative of usnic acid inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:210. [PMID: 37743482 PMCID: PMC10518105 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03054-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in Western societies. Its late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapies result in a high mortality rate; thus, the development of more effective therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer is strongly warranted. Usnic acid (UA) is a secondary metabolite of lichens that shows modest antiproliferative activity toward cancer cells. Recently, we reported the synthesis of a UA pyrazole derivative, named 5, which was more active than the parent compound toward cervical cancer cells. Here, its anticancer potential has been evaluated in detail in other cancer cells, particularly pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS The impact of UA and derivative 5 on cell viability, morphology, cell cycle, and death was assessed using the MTT test, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and immunoblotting, respectively. The calcium ions level was detected fluorometrically. In vivo, the anticancer activity of 5 was evaluated in a murine xenograft model. RESULTS Derivative 5 inhibited the viability of different cancer cells. Noncancerous cells were less sensitive. It induced the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER stress, which was manifested by cell vacuolization. It was accompanied by G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and cell death of pancreatic cancer cells. When applied to nude mice with xenografted pancreatic cancer cells, 5 inhibited tumor growth, with no signs of kidney or liver toxicity. CONCLUSIONS UA derivative 5 is superior to UA inhibiting the growth and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. ER stress exaggeration is a mechanism underlying the activity of derivative 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariola Gimła
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Marcelina Malinowska
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Hać
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Electron Microscopy Section, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Irena Bylińska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tristan A Reekie
- School of Science, University of New South Wales Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, 2600, Australia
| | - Anna Herman-Antosiewicz
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
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10
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Zhang H, Li X, Liu X, Ji X, Ma X, Chen J, Bao Y, Zhang Y, Xu L, Yang L, Wei X. The usnic acid derivative peziculone targets cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria revealed by high-throughput CRISPRi-seq analysis. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106876. [PMID: 37276892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Usnic acid, a representative dibenzofuran metabolite, is known to have antimicrobial properties. However, despite considerable interest as an antimicrobial agent, the mechanism by which usnic acid and its derivatives exert their action is not fully characterized. This article describes the synthesis of peziculone, a 5:1 equilibrium mixture of two inseparable usnic acid derivatives: peziculone A and peziculone B. The antibacterial activity of peziculone against several Gram-positive bacterial pathogens was found to be significantly better compared with usnic acid. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference sequencing analysis and membrane fluorescent staining were used to demonstrate that peziculone destabilizes the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, peziculone 2.5 and 3.5 µg/mL impaired cell surface appendages and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. Taken together, these data demonstrate that peziculone, a derivative compound of usnic acid, has significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria by targeting the cell walls; this provides a platform for development of novel antibacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Huizhou University, Huizhou, People's Republic of China; School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- School of Life Sciences, Huizhou University, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Centre, International Cancer Centre, Shenzhen University Health Science Centre, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Ji
- School of Life Sciences, Huizhou University, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Ma
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Chen
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanmin Bao
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingdan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangxiong Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Huizhou University, Huizhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoyi Wei
- Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement / Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Botanical Garden and Public Science, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Wang H, Xuan M, Diao J, Xu N, Li M, Huang C, Wang C. Metabolism and toxicity of usnic acid and barbatic acid based on microsomes, S9 fraction, and 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro combined with a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1207928. [PMID: 37397492 PMCID: PMC10308081 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1207928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Usnic acid (UA) and barbatic acid (BA), two typical dibenzofurans and depsides in lichen, have a wide range of pharmacological activities and hepatotoxicity concerns. This study aimed to clarify the metabolic pathway of UA and BA and illuminate the relationship between metabolism and toxicity. Methods: An UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method was developed for metabolite identification of UA and BA in human liver microsomes (HLMs), rat liver microsomes (RLMs), and S9 fraction (RS9). The key metabolic enzymes responsible for UA and BA were identified by enzyme inhibitors combined with recombinant human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. The cytotoxicity and metabolic toxicity mechanism of UA and BA were determined by the combination model of human primary hepatocytes and mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. Results: The hydroxylation, methylation, and glucuronidation reactions were involved in the metabolic profiles of UA and BA in RLMs, HLMs, and RS9. CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and UGT1A1 are key metabolic enzymes responsible for metabolites of UA and CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP1A1, UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10 for metabolites of BA. UA and BA did not display evident cytotoxicity in human primary hepatocytes at concentrations of 0.01-25 and 0.01-100 µM, respectively, but showed potential cytotoxicity to mouse 3T3 fibroblasts with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 7.40 and 60.2 µM. Discussion: In conclusion, the attenuated cytotoxicity of BA is associated with metabolism, and UGTs may be the key metabolic detoxification enzymes. The cytotoxicity of UA may be associated with chronic toxicity. The present results provide important insights into the understanding of the biotransformation behavior and metabolic detoxification of UA and BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxue Wang
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Xuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Juanjuan Diao
- Analysis and Testing Center, Xinjiang Medical University (Xuelanshan Campus), Urumqi, China
| | - Nan Xu
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Manlin Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Gunawan GA, Gimła M, Gardiner MG, Herman-Antosiewicz A, Reekie TA. Divergent reactivity of usnic acid and evaluation of its derivatives for antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 79:117157. [PMID: 36652792 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural products continue to be an inspiration for new drugs to treat debilitating diseases such as cancer. Usnic acid is a secondary metabolite isolated predominately from lichen species and has been shown to exhibit antiproliferative properties, however its application is limited by poor drug-like properties and low specificity. We report our work on investigating the reactivity of usnic acid for incorporating heterocyclic rings and the divergent reactivity that can be obtained by simply altering the reaction solvent and temperature. The synthesised derivatives were then tested against HeLa cancer cells for their antiproliferative properties. A number of promising compounds were obtained including 4, 5 and 9 that showed an IC50 of 878, 311 and 116 nM, respectively, against HeLa cancer cells after 48 h of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Gunawan
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, 2600 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Mariola Gimła
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Michael G Gardiner
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, 2600 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Anna Herman-Antosiewicz
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tristan A Reekie
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, 2600 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; School of Science, University of New South Wales Canberra, 2600 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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13
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Hao YM, Yan YC, Zhang Q, Liu BQ, Wu CS, Wang LN. Phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activities, and cholinesterase inhibitory properties of the lichen Usnea diffracta Vain. Front Chem 2023; 10:1063645. [PMID: 36688056 PMCID: PMC9853987 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1063645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are important sources of versatile bioactive compounds. Two new dibenzofurans (1-2), a multi-substituted single benzene ring (3), and two organic acid compounds (4-5) along with 25 known compounds (6-30) were isolated from the lichen Usnea diffracta Vain. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. Compounds 1-30 were tested for inhibitory activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans by the disk diffusion method and microdilution assay respectively. Compound 3 showed moderate inhibitory activities against S. aureus and E. coli with the inhibition zone (IZ) of 6.2 mm and 6.3 mm, respectively. Depside 10 exhibited good activity against S.aureus and C. albicans with 6.6 mm and 32 μg/ml, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of compounds 1, 2, and 6-8 with the characteristic dibenzofuran scaffold were evaluated var anti-AChE assay and a molecular docking study. Compound 2 could better inhibit AChE at the concentration of 0.3 μmol/ml with a value of 61.07 ± 0.85%. The molecular docking study also demonstrated that compound 2 had the strongest binding affinity among the five dibenzofurans, and the "-CDOCKER Energy" value was 14.4513 kcal/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Meng Hao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan-Cong Yan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing-Qian Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Chang-Sheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Li-Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,*Correspondence: Li-Ning Wang,
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14
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Demir Y, Ceylan H, Türkeş C, Beydemir Ş. Molecular docking and inhibition studies of vulpinic, carnosic and usnic acids on polyol pathway enzymes. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:12008-12021. [PMID: 34424822 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1967195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) are important enzymes of the polyol pathway. In the current study, inhibitory effects of vulpinic acid (VA) carnosic acid (CA) and usnic acid (UA) on purified AR and SDH enzymes were determined. These enzymes inhibition could be essential to prevent diabetic complications. AR and SDH enzymes were purified from sheep kidney. Then, VA, CA and UA were tested in various concentrations against these enzymes activity in vitro. KI values were found to be as 1.46 ± 0.04, 5.13 ± 0.25 and 11.71 ± 0.27 μΜ for VA, CA and UA, respectively, for AR. KI constants were found to be as 15.32 ± 0.34, 145.60 ± 2.17 and 213.40 ± 2.64 μΜ VA, CA and UA, respectively, for SDH. These findings indicate that VA, CA and UA could be useful in the treatment of diabetic complications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeliz Demir
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Nihat Delibalta Göle Vocational High School, Ardahan University, Ardahan, Turkey
| | - Hamid Ceylan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Cüneyt Türkeş
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Erzincan, Turkey
| | - Şükrü Beydemir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey.,The Rectorate of Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey
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15
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Usnic Acid-Mediated Exchange of Protons for Divalent Metal Cations across Lipid Membranes: Relevance to Mitochondrial Uncoupling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416203. [PMID: 36555847 PMCID: PMC9783568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Usnic acid (UA), a unique lichen metabolite, is a protonophoric uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, widely known as a weight-loss dietary supplement. In contrast to conventional proton-shuttling mitochondrial uncouplers, UA was found to carry protons across lipid membranes via the induction of an electrogenic proton exchange for calcium or magnesium cations. Here, we evaluated the ability of various divalent metal cations to stimulate a proton transport through both planar and vesicular bilayer lipid membranes by measuring the transmembrane electrical current and fluorescence-detected pH gradient dissipation in pyranine-loaded liposomes, respectively. Thus, we obtained the following selectivity series of calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and copper cations: Zn2+ > Mn2+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ >> Cu2+. Remarkably, Cu2+ appeared to suppress the UA-mediated proton transport in both lipid membrane systems. The data on the divalent metal cation/proton exchange were supported by circular dichroism spectroscopy of UA in the presence of the corresponding cations.
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Adenubi OT, Famuyide IM, McGaw LJ, Eloff JN. Lichens: An update on their ethnopharmacological uses and potential as sources of drug leads. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 298:115657. [PMID: 36007717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Lichens, a unique symbiotic association between an alga/cyanobacterium and a fungus, produce secondary metabolites that are a promising source of novel drug leads. The beauty and importance of lichens have not been adequately explored despite their manifold biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antiparasitic. AIM OF THE STUDY The present review collates and discusses the available knowledge on secondary metabolites and biological activities of lichens (in vitro and in vivo). MATERIALS AND METHODS Using relevant keywords (lichens, secondary metabolites, bioactivity, pharmacological activities), five electronic databases, namely ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Recent Literature on Lichens, were searched for past and current scientific contributions up until May 2022. Literature focusing broadly on the bioactivity of lichens including their secondary metabolites were identified and summarized. RESULTS A total of 50 review articles and 189 research articles were searched. Information related to antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and insecticidal activities of 90 lichen species (from 13 families) and 12 isolated metabolites are reported. Over 90% of the studies comprised in vitro investigations, such as bioassays evaluating radical scavenging properties, lipid peroxidation inhibition and reducing power, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial bioassays of lichen species and constituents. In vivo studies were scarce and available only in fish and rats. Most of the studies were done by research groups in Brazil, France, Serbia, India and Turkey. There were relatively few reports from Asia and Africa despite the ubiquitous nature of lichens and the high occurrence in these continents. CONCLUSION Secondary metabolites from lichens are worthy of further investigation in terms of their potential therapeutic applicability, including better understanding of their mechanism(s) of action. This would be of great importance in the search for novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubukola Tolulope Adenubi
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
| | - Ibukun Michael Famuyide
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Lyndy Joy McGaw
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Jacobus Nicolaas Eloff
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
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17
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Urbanska N, Simko P, Leskanicova A, Karasova M, Jendzelovska Z, Jendzelovsky R, Rucova D, Kolesarova M, Goga M, Backor M, Kiskova T. Atranorin, a Secondary Metabolite of Lichens, Exhibited Anxiolytic/Antidepressant Activity in Wistar Rats. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111850. [PMID: 36430984 PMCID: PMC9697363 DOI: 10.3390/life12111850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Atranorin (ATR) is one of lichens' many known secondary metabolites. Most current studies have investigated the various effects of ATR in vitro and only sporadically in vivo. The latest data indicate that ATR may have anxiolytic/antidepressive effects. This study aimed to analyze the potential of ATR in a depression-like state in male Wistar rats. Pregnant females were stressed by restricting their mobility in the final week of pregnancy three times a day for 45 min each, for three following days. After birth, progeny aged 60 days was stressed repeatedly. The male progeny was divided into three groups as follows: CTR group as a healthy control (n = 10), DEP group as a progeny of restricted mothers (n = 10), and ATR group as a progeny of restricted mothers, treated daily for one month with ATR (n = 10; 10 mg/kg of body weight, p.o.). Our results show that ATR acts as an antioxidant and markedly changes animal behavior. Concomitantly, hippocampal neurogenesis increases in the hilus and subgranular zone, together with the number of NeuN mature neurons in the hilus and CA1 regions. Our results indicate a potential antidepressant/anxiolytic effect of ATR. However, further studies in this area are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicol Urbanska
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Patrik Simko
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Leskanicova
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martina Karasova
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 04180 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Jendzelovska
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Rastislav Jendzelovsky
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Dajana Rucova
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Mariana Kolesarova
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Michal Goga
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Backor
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Terezia Kiskova
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04154 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
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18
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Wang H, Xuan M, Huang C, Wang C. Advances in Research on Bioactivity, Toxicity, Metabolism, and Pharmacokinetics of Usnic Acid In Vitro and In Vivo. Molecules 2022; 27:7469. [PMID: 36364296 PMCID: PMC9657990 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are among the most widely distributed plants on earth and have the longest growth cycle. Usnic acid is an abundant characteristic secondary metabolite of lichens and the earliest lichen compound used commercially. It has diverse pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, and photoprotective effects, and promotes wound healing. It is widely used in dietary supplements, daily chemical products (fodder, dyes, food, perfumery, and cosmetics), and medicine. However, some studies have found that usnic acid can cause allergic dermatitis and drug-induced liver injury. In this paper, the bioactivity, toxicity, in vivo and in vitro metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of usnic acid were summarized. The aims were to develop and utilize usnic acid and provide reference for its future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxue Wang
- Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Min Xuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, 84 Fengshan Road, Qingdao 266121, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for TCM Complex Prescription, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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19
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Egbert S, Hoffman JR, McMullin RT, Lendemer JC, Sorensen JL. Unraveling usnic acid: a comparison of biosynthetic gene clusters between two reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina and C. uncialis). Fungal Biol 2022; 126:697-706. [PMID: 36517138 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Lichenized fungi are known for their production of a diversity of secondary metabolites, many of which have broad biological and pharmacological applications. By far the most well-studied of these metabolites is usnic acid. While this metabolite has been well-known and researched for decades, the gene cluster responsible for its production was only recently identified from the species Cladonia uncialis. Usnic acid production varies considerably in the genus Cladonia, even among closely related taxa, and many species, such as C. rangiferina, have been inferred to be incapable of producing the metabolite based on analysis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). We sequenced and examined the usnic acid biosynthetic gene clusters, or lack thereof, from four closely related Cladonia species (C. oricola, C. rangiferina, C. stygia, and C. subtenuis), and compare them against those of C. uncialis. We complement this comparison with tiered chemical profile analyses to confirm the presence or absence of usnic acid in select samples, using both HPLC and LC-MS. Despite long-standing reporting that C. rangiferina lacks the ability to produce usnic acid, we observed functional gene clusters from the species and detected usnic acid when extracts were examined by LC-MS. By contrast, C. stygia and C. oricola, have been previously described as lacking the ability to produce usnic acid, lacked the gene cluster entirely, and no usnic acid could be detected in C. oricola extracts via HPLC or LC-MS. This work suggests that chemical profiles attained through inexpensive and low-sensitivity methods like TLC may fail to detect low abundance metabolites that can be taxonomically informative. This study also bolsters understanding of the usnic acid gene cluster in lichens, revealing differences among domains of the polyketide synthase which may explain observed differences in expression. These results reinforce the need for comprehensive characterization of lichen secondary metabolite profiles with sensitive LC-MS methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Egbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jordan R Hoffman
- Department of Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, The New York, USA; Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA
| | - R Troy McMullin
- Research and Collections, Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4, Canada
| | - James C Lendemer
- Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA.
| | - John L Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
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Impacts of Cd Pollution on the Vitality, Anatomy and Physiology of Two Morphologically Different Lichen Species of the Genera Parmotrema and Usnea, Evaluated under Experimental Conditions. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The heavy metal Cd accumulates in trophic chains, constituting a toxic element for photosynthesizing organisms, including the algal photobionts of lichen. Thus, as lichens respond differently to heavy metal toxicity, we hypothesized that the species Parmotrema tinctorum and Usnea barbata, commonly sampled in the Cerrado ecoregion, could be sensitive to Cd and, therefore, be used to biomonitor the dispersion of this metal. We also aimed to indicate the responsiveness of biological markers to Cd in these species by exposing the thalli to simulated rainfall with increasing metal concentrations. We observed that both lichen species are responsive to Cd stress; however, different pathways are accessed. The synthesis of carotenoids by P. tinctorum and the production of antioxidant enzymes by U. barbata seem to constitute relevant response strategies to Cd-induced stress. The lichen morphoanatomy, cell viability, photobiont vitality index, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and chlorophyll a synthesis were efficient biomarkers for the effects of increasing Cd exposure in P. tinctorum, being the variables primarily associated with damage to the photobiont. For U. barbata, the lichen morphoanatomy, photochemistry, and antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) were essential to reflect Cd toxicity. However, the species P. tinctorum was characterized as the most sensitive to Cd toxicity, constituting a good bioindicator for the presence of this metal. It can be used in the diagnosis of air quality in urban and industrial areas or even in forest areas influenced by Cd in phosphate fertilizers.
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Petrová K, Bačkorová M, Demčišáková Z, Petrovová E, Goga M, Vilková M, Frenák R, Bačkor M, Mojžiš J, Kello M. Usnic Acid Isolated from Usnea antarctica (Du Rietz) Reduced In Vitro Angiogenesis in VEGF- and bFGF-Stimulated HUVECs and Ex Ovo in Quail Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091444. [PMID: 36143480 PMCID: PMC9503005 DOI: 10.3390/life12091444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anti-angiogenic therapy, a promising strategy against cancer progression, is limited by drug resistance. Natural plants, such as secondary metabolites of lichens, may represent an appropriate strategy to increase the effectiveness of conventional therapies and overcome resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy if combined with existing chemotherapy. Accordingly, our study was designed to determine the potential anti-angiogenic effect of usnic acid, a secondary metabolite of lichens, on VEGF- and bFGF-stimulated HUVECs as well as in quail chorioallantoic membrane assays, which were supplemented by histological sections of CAM-affected layers. Abstract Natural products include a diverse set of compounds of drug discovery that are currently being actively used to target tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-angiogenic activities of secondary metabolite usnic acid isolated from Usena antarctica. We investigated the in vitro effects on proliferation, migration, and tube formation of VEGF- and bFGF-stimulated HUVECs. Ex ovo anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated using the CAM assay. Our findings demonstrated that usnic acid in the concentration of 33.57 µM inhibited VEGF (25 ng/mL) and bFGF (30 ng/mL)-induced HUVECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The ex ovo CAM model was used to confirm the results obtained from in vitro studies. VEGF- and bFGF-induced vessel formation was inhibited by usnic acid after 72 h in over 2-fold higher concentrations compared to in vitro. Subsequently, histological sections of affected chorioallantoic membranes were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and alcian blue to determine the number and diameter of vessels as well as the thickness of the individual CAM layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm). Usnic acid was able to suppress the formation of VEGF- and bFGF-induced vessels with a diameter of less than 100 μm, which was demonstrated by the reduction of mesoderm thickness as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Petrová
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Miriam Bačkorová
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Demčišáková
- Department of Morphological Disciplines, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Eva Petrovová
- Department of Morphological Disciplines, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Michal Goga
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Mária Vilková
- NMR Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Richard Frenák
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bačkor
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Košice, Slovakia
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Ján Mojžiš
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (K.P.); (M.K.)
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Yang A, Liu W, Li X, Wu W, Kou X, Shen R. Study on the novel usnic acid derivatives: Design, synthesis, X-Ray crystal structure of Cu(II) complex and anti-AD activities. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kocovic A, Jeremic J, Bradic J, Sovrlic M, Tomovic J, Vasiljevic P, Andjic M, Draginic N, Grujovic M, Mladenovic K, Baskic D, Popovic S, Matic S, Zivkovic V, Jeremic N, Jakovljevic V, Manojlovic N. Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Activity of Different Extracts of Xanthoparmelia stenophylla Lichen from Stara Planina, Serbia. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:1624. [PMID: 35807576 PMCID: PMC9269301 DOI: 10.3390/plants11131624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify some of the secondary metabolites present in acetonic, methanolic, and hexanic extracts of lichen Xanthoparmelia stenophylla and to examine their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity. Compounds of the depsid structure of lecanoric acid, obtusic acid, and atranorin as well as usnic acid with a dibenzofuran structure were identified in the extracts by HPLC. The acetone extract was shown to have the highest total phenolic (167.03 ± 1.12 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (178.84 ± 0.93 mg QE/g) as well as the best antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 81.22 ± 0.54). However, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm tests showed the best activity of hexanic extract, especially against strains of B. cereus, B. subtilis, and S. aureus (MIC < 0.08, and 0.3125 mg/mL, respectively). Additionally, by using the MTT method, the acetonic extract was reported to exhibit a strong cytotoxic effect on the HeLa and HCT-116 cell lines, especially after 72 h (IC50 = 21.17 ± 1.85 and IC50 = 21.48 ± 3.55, respectively). The promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects of Xanthoparmelia stenophylla extracts shown in the current study should be further investigated in vivo and under clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Kocovic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Jovana Jeremic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Jovana Bradic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Miroslav Sovrlic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Jovica Tomovic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Perica Vasiljevic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia;
| | - Marijana Andjic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Nevena Draginic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
- Department of Human Pathology, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Mirjana Grujovic
- Department of Science, Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.G.); (K.M.)
| | - Katarina Mladenovic
- Department of Science, Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.G.); (K.M.)
| | - Dejan Baskic
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (D.B.); (S.P.)
- Institute of Public Health Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Suzana Popovic
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (D.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Sanja Matic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
| | - Vladimir Zivkovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Nevena Jeremic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Jakovljevic
- Department of Human Pathology, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Nedeljko Manojlovic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (A.K.); (J.B.); (M.S.); (J.T.); (M.A.); (N.D.); (S.M.); (N.J.); (N.M.)
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Burt SR, Harper JK, Cool LG. A new depsidone from the neotricone-rich chemotype of the lichenised fungus Usnea fulvoreagens. Nat Prod Res 2022:1-7. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2038594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott R. Burt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - James K. Harper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Laurence G. Cool
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
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The Isoxazole Derivative of Usnic Acid Induces an ER Stress Response in Breast Cancer Cells That Leads to Paraptosis-like Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031802. [PMID: 35163724 PMCID: PMC8837022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Derivatives of usnic acid (UA), a secondary metabolite from lichens, were synthesized to improve its anticancer activity and selectivity. Recently we reported the synthesis and activity of an UA isoxazole derivative, named 2b, against cancer cells of different origins. Herein, the molecular mechanisms underlying its activity and efficacy in vivo were tested. The viability of breast cancer or normal cells has been tested using an MTT assay. Cell and organelle morphology was analyzed using light, electron and fluorescence microscopy. Gene expression was evaluated by RNAseq and protein levels were evaluated by Western blotting. In vivo anticancer activity was evaluated in a mice xenograft model. We found that 2b induced massive vacuolization which originated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER stress markers were upregulated both at the mRNA and protein levels. ER stress was caused by the release of Ca2+ ions from the ER by IP3R channels which was mediated, at least partly, by phospholipase C (PLC)-synthetized 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate (IP3). ER stress led to cell death with features of apoptosis and paraptosis. When applied to nude mice with xenografted breast cancer cells, 2b stopped tumour growth. In mice treated with 2b, vacuolization was observed in tumour cells, but not in other organs. This study shows that the antiproliferative activity of 2b relates to the induction of ER stress in cancer, not in healthy, cells and it leads to breast cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo.
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Santos-Aberturas J, Vior NM. Beyond Soil-Dwelling Actinobacteria: Fantastic Antibiotics and Where to Find Them. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:195. [PMID: 35203798 PMCID: PMC8868522 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secondary metabolites represent an invaluable source of bioactive molecules for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Although screening campaigns for the discovery of new compounds have traditionally been strongly biased towards the study of soil-dwelling Actinobacteria, the current antibiotic resistance and discovery crisis has brought a considerable amount of attention to the study of previously neglected bacterial sources of secondary metabolites. The development and application of new screening, sequencing, genetic manipulation, cultivation and bioinformatic techniques have revealed several other groups of bacteria as producers of striking chemical novelty. Biosynthetic machineries evolved from independent taxonomic origins and under completely different ecological requirements and selective pressures are responsible for these structural innovations. In this review, we summarize the most important discoveries related to secondary metabolites from alternative bacterial sources, trying to provide the reader with a broad perspective on how technical novelties have facilitated the access to the bacterial metabolic dark matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia M. Vior
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR7 4UH, UK
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Falakaflaki M, Varshosaz J, Mirian M. Local delivery of usnic acid loaded Rhamnolipid vesicles by gelatin / tragacanth gum / montmorillonite/ vanillin cryogel scaffold for expression of osteogenic biomarkers and antimicrobial activity. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Two New Fumarprotocetraric Acid Lactones Identified and Characterized by UHPLC-PDA/ESI/ORBITRAP/MS/MS from the Antarctic Lichen Cladonia metacorallifera. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic organisms between algae and fungi, which are makers of secondary compounds named as lichen substances. Hyphenated techniques have significantly helped natural product chemistry, especially UHPLC/ESI/MS/MS in the identification, separation, and tentative characterization of secondary metabolites from natural sources. Twenty-five compounds were detected from the Antarctic lichen Cladonia metacorallifera for the first time using UHPLC-PDA/ESI/Orbitrap/MS/MS. Compounds 5 and 7 are reported as new compounds, based on their MS/MS fragmentation routes, and considered as fumarprotocetraric acid derivatives. Besides, ten known phenolic identified as orsellinic acid, ethyl 4-carboxyorsellinate, psoromic acid isomer, succinprotocetraric acid, siphulellic acid, connorstictic acid, cryptostictic acid, lecanoric acid, lobaric acid and gyrophoric acid are noticed for the first time in the Cladonia genus.
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Roney M, Huq AKMM, Rullah K, Hamid HA, Imran S, Islam MA, Mohd Aluwi MFF. Virtual Screening-Based Identification of Potent DENV-3 RdRp Protease Inhibitors via In-House Usnic Acid Derivative Database. JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOPHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s2737416521500496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic disease and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), transmitted predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions by Aedes aegypti. It infects millions of people and causes thousands of deaths each year, but there is no antiviral drug against DENV. Usnic acid lately piqued the interest of researchers for extraordinary biological characteristics, including antiviral activity. Based on high larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti, this study aims to search usnic acid derivatives as novel anti-DENV agents through a combination of ligand-based and pharmacophore-based virtual screening. One hundred and sixteen (116) usnic acid derivatives were obtained from a database of 428 in-house usnic acid derivatives through pharmacophore filtering steps. Subsequent docking simulation on DENV-3 NS-5 RdRp afforded 41 compounds with a strong binding affinity towards the enzyme. The pharmacokinetics and drug likeness prediction resulted in seven hit compounds, which eventually undergo cytochrome P450 enzyme screening to obtain the lead compound, labelled as 362. In addition, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation of lead compound 362 was performed to verify the stability of the docked complex and the binding posture acquired in docking experiments. Overall, the lead compounds have shown a high fit value of pharmacophore, strong binding affinity towards RdRp enzyme, good pharmacokinetics, and drug likeness properties. The discovery of a new usnic acid derivative as a novel anti-DENV agent targeting RdRp could lead to further drug development and optimization to treat dengue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miah Roney
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
- Centre for Bio-Aromatic Research, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - AKM Moyeenul Huq
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, 74/A, Green Road, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Kamal Rullah
- Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Hazrulrizawati Abd Hamid
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
| | - Syahrul Imran
- Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery, UiTM Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Malaysia
| | - Md. Alimul Islam
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd Aluwi
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
- Centre for Bio-Aromatic Research, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
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Yoo KH, Kim DH, Oh S, Park MS, Kim H, Ha HH, Cho SH, Chung IJ, Bae WK. Transcriptome analysis upon potassium usnate exposure reveals ATF3-induced apoptosis in human gastric and colon cancer cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 91:153655. [PMID: 34388563 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potassium usnate (KU), a water-soluble form of usnic acid, shows anticancer activity. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE We aimed to identify the pathways involved in anticancer effects of KU in human gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) based transcriptome analysis. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed the cytotoxic effects of KU to identify the common molecular events in GC and CRC cells upon KU exposure using unbiased approaches. METHODS Cell viability assays and western blot experiments were used to examine apoptotic changes, cell cycle arrest, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced cellular responses in KU-treated cells. Total RNA from KU-treated human GC and CRC cells was prepared for RNA-seq analysis. Gene ontology term and gene set enrichment analyses were used to identify the key mediators of the cytotoxic effects of KU. The expression of ER stress-induced apoptotic markers was evaluated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and western blot analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays for ATF3 and H3K27ac, and ATF3 knockdown were employed to verify the underlying molecular mechanisms. The inhibitory effect of KU on tumor growth in vivo was validated with metastatic tumor nodule formations in a mouse liver model. RESULTS KU exerted cytotoxicity in human GC and CRC cells through the activation of the ER stress-induced apoptotic pathway. KU stimulated ATF3 expression, an important mediator of molecular events of apoptosis. ATF3 binds to the promoter region of ATF3, CHOP, GADD34, GADD45A, DR5, and PUMA genes and subsequently promoted apoptotic events. Knockdown of ATF3 significantly reduced the expression of ATF3 target genes and the cytotoxic effects of KU. The intraperitoneal injection of KU induced ATF3 and the apoptosis of implanted colon cancer cells, resulting in reduced metastatic tumor growth in the mouse livers. CONCLUSION KU exerts cytotoxic effects in human GC and CRC cells by triggering ER stress-induced apoptosis via an ATF3 dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hyun Yoo
- Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hwan Kim
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumin Oh
- Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myong-Suk Park
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Ho Ha
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hee Cho
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik-Joo Chung
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea; Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC Center, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea; Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Kyun Bae
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea; Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC Center, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea.
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A Comparative Survey of Anti-Melanoma and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Usnic Acid Enantiomers-A Comprehensive In Vitro Approach. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090945. [PMID: 34577645 PMCID: PMC8470841 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Usnic acid (UA) is a chiral lichen metabolite with an interesting pharmacological profile. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-melanoma effect of (+)-UA and (−)-UA in an in vitro model by studying their impact on the cells as well as the processes associated with cancer progression. The effect of UA enantiomers on the viability, proliferation, and invasive potential of three melanoma cell lines (HTB140, A375, WM793) was evaluated. Their interaction with a chemotherapeutic drug—doxorubicin was assessed by isobolographic analysis. Anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase properties of (+)-UA and (−)-UA were also examined. Both UA enantiomers dose- and time-dependently decreased the viability of all three melanoma cell lines. Their synergistic effect with doxorubicin was observed on A375 cells. (+)-Usnic acid at a sub-cytotoxic dose strongly inhibited melanoma cells migration. Both UA enantiomers decreased the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. The cytotoxic effect of (+)-UA and (−)-UA depends greatly on the melanoma cell type; however, the overall anti-melanoma potential is perspective. Our results indicate that the strategy of combining usnic acid enantiomers with cytostatic drugs may be an interesting option to consider in combating melanoma; however, further studies are required.
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Kikowska M, Thiem B, Jafernik K, Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Studzińska-Sroka E, Ekiert H, Szopa A. Effect of Elicitation with (+)-Usnic Acid on Accumulation of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Agitated Microshoots of Eryngium alpinum L. Molecules 2021; 26:5532. [PMID: 34577004 PMCID: PMC8465747 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work was aimed at studying the potential of elicitation on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in in vitro shoot cultures of Eryngium alpinum L., a protected plant from the Apiaceae family. The study examined the influence of (+)-usnic acid on the biomass growth as well as on the biosynthesis of the desired flavonoids and phenolic acids in the cultured microshoots. The phenolic compound content was determined by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoid of the highest concentration was isoquercetin, and the phenolic acids of the highest amount were rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, both in the non-elicited and elicited biomass. Isoquercetin accumulation was efficiently increased by a longer elicitation with a lower concentration of lichenic compound (107.17 ± 4.67 mg/100 g DW) or a shorter elicitation with a higher concentration of acid (127.54 ± 11.34 and 108.37 ± 12.1 mg/100 g DW). Rosmarinic acid production generally remained high in all elicited and non-elicited microshoots. The highest content of this acid was recorded at 24 h of elicitation with 3.125 µM usnic acid (512.69 ± 4.89 mg/100 g DW). The process of elicitation with (+)-usnic acid, a well-known lichenic compound with allelopathic nature, may therefore be an effective technique of enhancing phenolic compound accumulation in alpine eryngo microshoot biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Kikowska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, 14 Św. Marii Magdaleny St., 61-861 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Barbara Thiem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, 14 Św. Marii Magdaleny St., 61-861 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Karolina Jafernik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (K.J.); (M.K.-S.); (H.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Marta Klimek-Szczykutowicz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (K.J.); (M.K.-S.); (H.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Elżbieta Studzińska-Sroka
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, 4 Święcickiego St., 61-781 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Halina Ekiert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (K.J.); (M.K.-S.); (H.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (K.J.); (M.K.-S.); (H.E.); (A.S.)
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(+)-Usnic Acid as a Promising Candidate for a Safe and Stable Topical Photoprotective Agent. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175224. [PMID: 34500657 PMCID: PMC8433837 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to examine whether usnic acid—a lichen compound with UV-absorbing properties—can be considered as a prospective photoprotective agent in cosmetic products. Moreover, a comparison of two usnic acid enantiomers was performed to preselect the more effective compound. To meet this aim, an in vitro model was created, comprising the determination of skin-penetrating properties via skin-PAMPA assay, safety assessment to normal human skin cells (keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts), and examination of photostability and photoprotective properties. Both enantiomers revealed comparable good skin-penetrating properties. Left-handed usnic acid was slightly more toxic to keratinocytes (IC50 80.82 and 40.12 µg/mL, after 48 and 72 h, respectively) than its right-handed counterpart. The latter enantiomer, in a cosmetic formulation, was characterized by good photoprotective properties and photostability, comparable to the UV filter octocrylene. Perhaps most interestingly, (+)-usnic acid combined with octocrylene in one formulation revealed enhanced photoprotection and photostability. Thus, the strategy can be considered for the potential use of (+)-usnic acid as a UV filter in cosmetic products. Moreover, the proposed model may be useful for the evaluation of candidates for UV filters.
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Lima Salviano T, Dos Santos Macedo DC, de Siqueira Ferraz Carvalho R, Pereira MA, de Arruda Barbosa VS, Dos Santos Aguiar J, Souto FO, Carvalho da Silva MDP, Lapa Montenegro Pimentel LM, Correia de Sousa LDÂ, Costa Silva BS, da Silva TG, da Silva Góes AJ, Santos Magalhães NS, Cajubá de Britto Lira Nogueira M. Fucoidan-Coated Liposomes: A Target System to Deliver the Antimicrobial Drug Usnic Acid to Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2021; 17:1699-1710. [PMID: 34544546 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2021.3139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study describes the use of fucoidan, a negative sulfated polysaccharide, as a coating material for the development of liposomes targeted to macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. First, fucoidan was chemically modified to obtain a hydrophobized-fucoidan derivative (cholesteryl-fucoidan) using a two-step microwave-assisted (μW) method. The total reaction time was decreased from 14 hours to 1 hour while maintaining the overall yield. Cholesterylfucoidan was then used to prepare surface-modified liposomes containing usnic acid (UA-LipoFuc), an antimicrobial lichen derivative. UA-LipoFuc was evaluated for mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface charge (ζ), and UA encapsulation efficiency. In addition, a cytotoxicity study, competition assay and an evaluation of antimycobacterial activity against macrophages infected with M. tuberculosis (H37Ra) were performed. When the amount of fucoidan was increased (from 5 to 20 mg), vesicle size increased (from 168 ± 2.82 nm to 1.18 ± 0.01 μm). Changes in from +20 ± 0.41 mV for uncoated liposomes to -5.41 ± 0.23 mV for UA-LipoFuc suggested that the fucoidan was placed on the surface of the liposomes. UA-LipoFuc exhibited a lower IC50 (8.26 ± 1.11 μM) than uncoated liposomes (18.37 ± 3.34 μM), probably due to its higher uptake. UA-LipoFuc5 was internalized through the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain of the cell membrane. Finally, usnic acid, both in its free form and encapsulated in fucoidan-coated liposomes (UA-LipoFuc5), was effective against infected macrophages. Hence, this preliminary investigation suggests that encapsulated usnic acid will aid in further studies related to infected macrophages and may be a potential option for tuberculosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taciana Lima Salviano
- Keizo Asami Immunopathology Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcela Araújo Pereira
- Keizo Asami Immunopathology Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fabrício Oliveira Souto
- Keizo Asami Immunopathology Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Bezerra Sidicleia Costa Silva
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Hybrid Interface and Colloid Compound Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
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Usnic Acid and Usnea barbata (L.) F.H. Wigg. Dry Extracts Promote Apoptosis and DNA Damage in Human Blood Cells through Enhancing ROS Levels. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081171. [PMID: 34439420 PMCID: PMC8388874 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, numerous biomedical studies performed on natural compounds and plant extracts aim to obtain highly selective pharmacological activities without unwanted toxic effects. In the big world of medicinal plants, Usnea barbata (L) F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) and usnic acid (UA) are well-known for their therapeutical properties. One of the most studied properties is their cytotoxicity on various tumor cells. This work aims to evaluate their cytotoxic potential on normal blood cells. Three dry U. barbata extracts in various solvents: ethyl acetate (UBEA), acetone (UBA), and ethanol (UBE) were prepared. From UBEA we isolated usnic acid with high purity by semipreparative chromatography. Then, UA, UBA, and UBE dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diluted in four concentrations were tested for their toxicity on human blood cells. The blood samples were collected from a healthy non-smoker donor; the obtained blood cell cultures were treated with the tested samples. After 24 h, the cytotoxic effect was analyzed through the mechanisms that can cause cell death: early and late apoptosis, caspase 3/7 activity, nuclear apoptosis, autophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA damage. Generally, the cytotoxic effect was directly proportional to the increase of concentrations, usnic acid inducing the most significant response. At high concentrations, usnic acid and U. barbata extracts induced apoptosis and DNA damage in human blood cells, increasing ROS levels. Our study reveals the importance of prior natural products toxicity evaluation on normal cells to anticipate their limits and benefits as potential anticancer drugs.
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In Vitro Anticancer Activity and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Status Determined by Usnea barbata (L.) F.H. Wigg. Dry Extracts. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071141. [PMID: 34356377 PMCID: PMC8301184 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichens represent an important resource for common traditional medicines due to their numerous metabolites that can exert diverse pharmacological activities including anticancer effects. To find new anticancer compounds with fewer side effects and low tumor resistance, a bioprospective study of Usnea barbata (L.) F.H. Wigg. (U. barbata), a lichen from the Călimani Mountains (Suceava county, Romania) was performed. The aim of this research was to investigate the anticancer potential, morphologic changes, wound healing property, clonogenesis, and oxidative stress biomarker status of four extracts of U. barbata in different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate), and also of usnic acid (UA) as a positive control on the CAL-27 (ATCC® CRL-2095™) oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) cell line and V79 (ATCC® CCL-93™) lung fibroblasts as normal cells. Using the MTT assay and according to IC50 values, it was found that the most potent anticancer property was displayed by acetone and ethyl acetate extracts. All U. barbata extracts determined morphological modifications (losing adhesion capacity, membrane shrinkage, formation of abnormal cellular wrinkles, and vacuolization) with higher intensity in tumor cells than in normal ones. The most intense anti-migration effect was established in the acetone extract treatment. The clonogenic assay showed that some U. barbata extracts decreased the ability of cancer cells to form colonies compared to untreated cells, suggesting a potential anti-tumorigenic property of the tested extracts. Therefore, all the U. barbata extracts manifest anticancer activity of different intensity, based, at least partially, on an imbalance in antioxidant defense mechanisms, causing oxidative stress.
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Shcherbakova A, Strömstedt AA, Göransson U, Gnezdilov O, Turanov A, Boldbaatar D, Kochkin D, Ulrich-Merzenich G, Koptina A. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Evernia prunastri extracts and their isolates. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:129. [PMID: 34232401 PMCID: PMC8263414 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03099-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic organisms formed by a fungus and one or more photosynthetic partners which are usually alga or cyanobacterium. Their diverse and scarcely studied metabolites facilitate adaptability to extreme living conditions. We investigated Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach., a widely distributed lichen, for its antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. E. prunastri was sequentially extracted by hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM) and acetonitrile (ACN) that were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial (against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) activities. The Hex extract possessed the highest antioxidant capacity (87 mg ascorbic acid/g extract) corresponding to the highest content of phenols (73 mg gallic acid/g extract). The DCM and Hex extracts were both active against S. aureus (MICs of 4 and 21 µg/ml, respectively) but were less active against Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. The ACN extract exhibited activity on both S. aureus (MIC 14 µg/ml) and C. albicans (MIC 38 µg/ml) and was therefore further fractionated by silica gel column chromatography. The active compound of the most potent fraction was subsequently characterized by 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and identified as evernic acid. Structural similarity analyses were performed between compounds from E. prunastri and known antibiotics from different classes. The structural similarity was not present. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of E. prunastri extracts originate from multiple chemical compounds; besides usnic acid, most notably evernic acid and derivatives thereof. Evernic acid and its derivatives represent possible candidates for a new class of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shcherbakova
- Volga State University of Technology, Lenin Sq., 3, Yoshkar-Ola, Russia, 424000
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
- Medical Clinic III, AG Synergy Research and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - A A Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - U Göransson
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - O Gnezdilov
- FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Zavoisky Physical-Technical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sibirsky Tract, 10/7, Kazan, Russia, 420029
| | - A Turanov
- FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Zavoisky Physical-Technical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sibirsky Tract, 10/7, Kazan, Russia, 420029
| | - D Boldbaatar
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Liver Center, Dalai Tower, Unesco Street 31, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, 14230, Mongolia
| | - D Kochkin
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, 1-12 Leninskiye Gory, Moscow, Russia, 119234
| | - G Ulrich-Merzenich
- Medical Clinic III, AG Synergy Research and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - A Koptina
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Kim W, Liu R, Woo S, Kang KB, Park H, Yu YH, Ha HH, Oh SY, Yang JH, Kim H, Yun SH, Hur JS. Linking a Gene Cluster to Atranorin, a Major Cortical Substance of Lichens, through Genetic Dereplication and Heterologous Expression. mBio 2021; 12:e0111121. [PMID: 34154413 PMCID: PMC8262933 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01111-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The depside and depsidone series compounds of polyketide origin accumulate in the cortical or medullary layers of lichen thalli. Despite the taxonomic and ecological significance of lichen chemistry and its pharmaceutical potentials, there has been no single piece of genetic evidence linking biosynthetic genes to lichen substances. Thus, we systematically analyzed lichen polyketide synthases (PKSs) for categorization and identification of the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) involved in depside/depsidone production. Our in-depth analysis of the interspecies PKS diversity in the genus Cladonia and a related Antarctic lichen, Stereocaulon alpinum, identified 45 BGC families, linking lichen PKSs to 15 previously characterized PKSs in nonlichenized fungi. Among these, we identified highly syntenic BGCs found exclusively in lichens producing atranorin (a depside). Heterologous expression of the putative atranorin PKS gene (coined atr1) yielded 4-O-demethylbarbatic acid, found in many lichens as a precursor compound, indicating an intermolecular cross-linking activity of Atr1 for depside formation. Subsequent introductions of tailoring enzymes into the heterologous host yielded atranorin, one of the most common cortical substances of macrolichens. Phylogenetic analysis of fungal PKS revealed that the Atr1 is in a novel PKS clade that included two conserved lichen-specific PKS families likely involved in biosynthesis of depsides and depsidones. Here, we provide a comprehensive catalog of PKS families of the genus Cladonia and functionally characterize a biosynthetic gene cluster from lichens, establishing a cornerstone for studying the genetics and chemical evolution of diverse lichen substances. IMPORTANCE Lichens play significant roles in ecosystem function and comprise about 20% of all known fungi. Polyketide-derived natural products accumulate in the cortical and medullary layers of lichen thalli, some of which play key roles in protection from biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., herbivore attacks and UV irradiation). To date, however, no single lichen product has been linked to respective biosynthetic genes with genetic evidence. Here, we identified a gene cluster family responsible for biosynthesis of atranorin, a cortical substance found in diverse lichen species, by categorizing lichen polyketide synthase and reconstructing the atranorin biosynthetic pathway in a heterologous host. This study will help elucidate lichen secondary metabolism, harnessing the lichen's chemical diversity, hitherto obscured due to limited genetic information on lichens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonyong Kim
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Rundong Liu
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sunmin Woo
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyo Bin Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Park
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Hyun Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyung-Ho Ha
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Yoon Oh
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon, South Korea
| | - Ji Ho Yang
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Yun
- Department of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
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Sepahvand A, Studzińska-Sroka E, Ramak P, Karimian V. Usnea sp.: Antimicrobial potential, bioactive compounds, ethnopharmacological uses and other pharmacological properties; a review article. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 268:113656. [PMID: 33276059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Usnea sp. is a fruticose thalli lichen with interesting medicinal properties. Since ancient times, Usnea sp. has been used in traditional medicine worldwide to treat various diseases. The broad scientific studies on this lichen have proved its multidirectional biological effect, such as antimicrobial activity, which is attributed to its usnic acid content. PURPOSE The main aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the antimicrobial activities of Usnea sp., including the traditional and medicinal uses, and a critical evaluation of the presented data. Also, the mechanism of this type of action will be explained. METHODS To prepare this manuscript, the information was extracted from scientific databases (Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, and Google Scholar), books, and theses. The available scientific information was critically analysed. RESULTS Analysis of the scientific literature regarding traditional uses and bioactivity research showed that Usnea sp. extracts exhibit high antibacterial activity. The Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and aquatic oomycetous fungi were the most sensitive Usnea sp. extracts. Moderate activity against Malassezia furfur and dermatophytes was observed, as well. Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and fungi were more frequently resistant to Usnea sp. extracts (included Escherichia coli, Candida sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus sp.). The antiviral activity of Usnea sp. was limited. CONCLUSION The results show that the use of Usnea sp. in traditional medicine can be scientifically documented. Studies show that usnic acid is the active compound present in Usnea sp. extracts. This compound, which has a high antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, exists in large quantities in low-polarity extracts, and low concentration in these of high-polarity. Usnea sp. extracts contain compounds other than usnic acid as well with biological effects. Usnea barbata is a species that has been employed in modern-day cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. The information presented in the review can be considered as a source of knowledge about the Usnea sp. It presents research on biological properties reported for different species of Usnea genus and thus can facilitate their use in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Sepahvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
| | | | - Parvin Ramak
- Research Division of Natural Resources, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Khorramabad, Iran.
| | - Vahid Karimian
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran.
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Inhibition of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by combination of oxacillin and a bioactive compound from Ramalinaroesleri. Microb Pathog 2020; 150:104676. [PMID: 33278518 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lichens are known to be useful and important in ethanopharmacology since ages and still possess substantial interest in alternative medical practices around the world. The intent of this investigation was to evaluate and to understand the antibacterial potential of usnic acid which was isolated from Himalyan fruticose lichen Ramalina roesleri. Usnic acid is predicted for its pharmaceutical properties through in -silico studies. Binding efficiency of usnic acid with Penicillin binding protein-PBP2a, a protein which is responsible for conferring resistance in Staphylococcus aureus was accessed using in-silico interaction assays comparing with oxacillin and ceftaroline. Further, the validation of in-silico modelling was checked by determining the antibacterial potential of usnic acid against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates. In total, 28 clinical isolates collected from hospitals/medical students were included in the study and the anti-Staphylococcal activity was determined using agar plate dilution method followed by time-kill kinetics and synergistic studies. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) pictures were obtained to show the cell wall disruption of MRSA by usnic acid. Docking results clearly indicated the enhanced binding potential of usnic acid (Glide XP G Score: 10.968; Glide energy -64.869) with PBP2a which is better than the energy range of reference compound, oxacillin (Glide XP G Score: 6.596; Glide energy -53.285) and roughly comparable to the co-crystallized ligand ceftaroline (Glide XP G Score: 12.20; Glide energy -70.322). Cefteroline is known to be more active against MRSA compared to oxacillin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of usnic acid against the clinical isolates of MRSA and reference strain (NCTC-6571) were in the range of 32-128 μg/ml. The high affinity of usnic acid to bind with PBP2a which is demonstrated via in-silico studies is further confirmed by the impressive inhibitory activity of usnic acid on MRSA clinical isolates.
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Kwong SP, Wang C. Review: Usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity and cell death. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103493. [PMID: 32961280 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing prevalence of herbal and dietary supplement-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported worldwide. Usnic acid (UA) is a well-known hepatotoxin derived from lichens. Since 2000, more than 20 incident reports have been received by the US Food and Drug Administration after intake of UA containing dietary supplement resulting in severe complications. Scientists and clinicians have been studying the cause, prevention and treatment of UA-induced hepatotoxicity. It is now known that UA decouples oxidative phosphorylation, induces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, decreases glutathione (GSH), and induces oxidative stress markedly leading to lipid peroxidation and organelle stress. In addition, experimental rat liver tissues have shown massive vacuolization associated with cellular swellings. Additionally, various signaling pathways, such as c-JNK N-terminal kinase (JNK), store-operated calcium entry, nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR) pathways are stimulated by UA causing beneficial or harmful effects. Nevertheless, there are controversial issues, such as UA-induced inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses, cytochrome P450 detoxifying UA into non-toxic or transforming UA into reactive metabolites, and unknown mechanism of the formation of vacuolization and membrane pore. This article focused on the previous and latest comprehensive putative mechanistic findings of UA-induced hepatotoxicity and cell death. New insights on controversial issues and future perspectives are also discussed and summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukfan P Kwong
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Cazarin CA, Dalmagro AP, Gonçalves AE, Boeing T, Silva LMD, Corrêa R, Klein-Júnior LC, Pinto BC, Lorenzett TS, Sobrinho TUDC, Fátima ÂD, Lage TCDA, Fernandes SA, Souza MMD. Usnic acid enantiomers restore cognitive deficits and neurochemical alterations induced by Aβ 1-42 in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112945. [PMID: 33022354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia with a complex pathophysiology not fully elucidated but with limited pharmacological treatment. The Usnic acid (UA) is a lichen secondary metabolite found in two enantiomeric forms: (R)-(+)-UA or (S)-(-)-UA, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Thus, given the role of neuroinflammation and oxidative injury in the AD, this study aimed to investigate experimentally the cognitive enhancing and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of UA enantiomers. First, the interactions of UA on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was assessed by molecular docking and its inhibitory capability on AChE was assessed in vitro. In vivo trials investigated the effects of UA enantiomers in mice exposed to Aβ1-42 peptide (400 pmol/mice) intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). For this, mice were treated orally during 24 days with (R)-(+)-UA or (S)-(-)-UA at 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg, vehicle, or donepezil (2 mg/kg). Animals were submitted to the novel object recognized, Morris water maze, and inhibitory-avoidance task to assess the cognitive deficits. Additionally, UA antioxidant capacity and neuroinflammatory biomarkers were measured at the cortex and hippocampus from mice. Our results indicated that UA enantiomers evoked complex-receptor interaction with AChE like galantamine in silico. Also, UA enantiomers improved the learning and memory of the animals and in parallel decreased the myeloperoxidase activity and the lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) on the cortex and hippocampus and reduced the IL-1β levels on the hippocampus. In summary, UA restored the cognitive deficits, as well as the signs of LOOH and neuroinflammation induced by Aβ1-42 administration in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Andre Cazarin
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula Dalmagro
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ana Elisa Gonçalves
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thaise Boeing
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Luísa Mota da Silva
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rogério Corrêa
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Klein-Júnior
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Carlesso Pinto
- School of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thaís Savoldi Lorenzett
- School of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Ângelo de Fátima
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Antonio Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, CEP 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcia Maria de Souza
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Program, Center of Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Chelombitko MA, Firsov AM, Kotova EA, Rokitskaya TI, Khailova LS, Popova LB, Chernyak BV, Antonenko YN. Usnic acid as calcium ionophore and mast cells stimulator. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Venkata Mallavadhani U, Vanga NR, Balabhaskara Rao K, Jain N. Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel (+)- usnic acid analogues. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2020; 22:562-577. [PMID: 31012737 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2019.1603220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Twenty one novel (+)- usnic acid-based analogues belonging to three classes such as enamines, imines, and pyrazoles were synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by their spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and HRMS). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of four human cancer cell lines including HeLa (cervix), MDA-MB-231 (breast), A549 (lung), and MiaPaca (pancreas) by employing SRB cell proliferation assay. Screening results indicated that all synthesized compounds showed enhanced activity than the parent compound. Most significantly, compounds 2e and 4a showed potent antiproliferative activity against all the cancer cell lines tested. Compounds 2e and 4a arrested the cell cycle in G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. In view of significant antiproliferative activity, compounds 2e and 4a can be considered as lead molecules for further development.[Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Uppuluri Venkata Mallavadhani
- Centre for Natural Products & Traditional Knowledge, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Nagi Reddy Vanga
- Centre for Natural Products & Traditional Knowledge, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | | | - Nishanth Jain
- Applied Biology Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
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Battista S, Bellio P, Celenza G, Galantini L, Franceschini I, Mancini G, Giansanti L. Correlation of Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Liposomes Loaded with (+)-Usnic Acid. Chempluschem 2020; 85:1014-1021. [PMID: 32421257 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
(+)-Usnic acid (UA) is a natural substance that displays pharmacological activity, but it is barely soluble in water, so it was included in liposomes in order to study its properties. First, the effects of phospholipid structure and loading methodology on UA entrapment efficacy were evaluated. Then, the physicochemical and biological properties (UA delivery efficacy to Staphylococcus aureus bacterial cells) of different liposome formulations containing structurally related amphiphiles derived from L-prolinol were fully investigated. Entrapment efficiency of UA with passive loading by incubation was 80-100 molar percentage, which is related to lipophilicity of the drug and to the packing and fluidity of the bilayer. Some of the investigated formulations show the potential of UA in delivery systems (minimum inhibitory concentration of liposomal UA: 8 μg/mL) and even subtle variations of the molecular structure of lipids can significantly affect the liposomes' physicochemical properties and efficiency of drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Battista
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio 10, 67010, Coppito (AQ), Italy
| | - Pierangelo Bellio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Applicate e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio 10, 67010, Coppito, AQ, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Celenza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Applicate e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio 10, 67010, Coppito, AQ, Italy
| | - Luciano Galantini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Roma "Sapienza", P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Irene Franceschini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio 10, 67010, Coppito (AQ), Italy
| | - Giovanna Mancini
- CNR-Istituto per i Sistemi Biologici, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00016, Monterotondo Scalo (RM, Italy
| | - Luisa Giansanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche e Chimiche, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Via Vetoio 10, 67010, Coppito (AQ), Italy
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Samuelsen L, Hansen PE, Vang O. Derivatives of usnic acid cause cytostatic effect in Caco-2 cells. Nat Prod Res 2020; 35:4953-4959. [PMID: 32352327 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1756796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Usnic acid has anti-cancer activity, however, low solubility and toxicity limit the potential. To investigate biological activity of usnic acid derivatives, enantiopure derivatives were synthesised by reacting usnic acid with ethylenediamine, which yielded one dimer product ((+)-1), and two tetra cyclic compounds ((+)-2 and (-)-2). The products were characterised with NMR, and evaluated in vitro in human colon cancer cell line Caco-2 by cell count, phase-contrast microscopy, MTT-assay, measurement of DNA content and cell cycle distribution. All compounds tested showed cytostatic effect in Caco-2 cells, but each compound had a distinct cellular effect. Compound (+)-1 showed anti-proliferative activity by increasing the percentage of cells in S-phase with 25% compared to the control. Compounds (+)-2 and (-)-2 induced paraptosis, but only compound (+)-2 modulated cell cycle distribution by accumulating cells in G2/M-phase by 47% and reduced DNA content by 60%. All compounds express interesting cellular and potential anti-proliferative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Samuelsen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Poul Erik Hansen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ole Vang
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Ochuscins A‒G, highly oxygenated usnic acid derivatives from the deep-sea-derived fungus Ochroconis sp. FS449. Tetrahedron 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2020.131066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Zolovs M, Jakubāne I, Kirilova J, Kivleniece I, Moisejevs R, Koļesnikova J, Pilāte D. The potential antifeedant activity of lichen-forming fungal extracts against the invasive Spanish slug ( Arion vulgaris). CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The protection of horticultural crops from slug feeding can be achieved using slug pellets; however, application of molluscicides is not always safe for the environment. There is a need for alternative methods to reduce the palatability of crop plants. Chemical properties of secondary compounds from lichens influence the feeding behaviour of slugs. Liquid extracts of three lichen species (Cladonia rangiferina (L.) F.H. Wigg., Cladonia stellaris (Opiz) Pouzar & Vězda, and Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf) were applied to three different crops and tested for their antifeedant properties against an important agricultural pest, the Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855). All three extracts had specific activity, showing a decrease in grazing intensity as well as slug mass loss after feeding on treated food. Slugs significantly gained mass after feeding under control condition; however, they did not gain mass when fed on extract-treated food. The most effective extract was from P. furfuracea. We propose to use properties of lichen extracts to develop new environmentally friendly molluscicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksims Zolovs
- Department of Biosystematics, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Iveta Jakubāne
- Department of Biosystematics, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Jelena Kirilova
- Department of Chemistry and Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Inese Kivleniece
- Department of Biosystematics, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Rolands Moisejevs
- Department of Biosystematics, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Jelena Koļesnikova
- Department of Chemistry and Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Digna Pilāte
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rīgas Str. 111, Salaspils, Latvia
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Zugic A, Tadic V, Savic S. Nano- and Microcarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Usnic Acid: Review of Literature. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E156. [PMID: 32075296 PMCID: PMC7076425 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Usnic acid is one of the most investigated lichen secondary metabolites, with several proven biological properties with potential medical relevance. However, its unfavorable physico-chemical properties, as well as observed hepatotoxicity, have discouraged wide-range utilization of usnic acid as a promising therapeutic agent. In accordance with the growing research interest in the development of nanotechnology, especially in the arena of preparations based on natural sources of medicinal compounds, usnic acid incorporated into nano- and microsized colloidal carriers has been a subject of a large number of publications. Therefore, this review discusses the overall results of the studies dealing with usnic acid encapsulated into lipid-based, polymeric and nonorganic micro- and/or nanocarriers, as potential drug delivery systems for this natural compound, in an attempt to introduce its usage as a potential antitumor, antimicrobial, wound-healing, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Zugic
- Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. Josif Pancic”, Tadeusa Koscuska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vanja Tadic
- Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. Josif Pancic”, Tadeusa Koscuska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Snezana Savic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
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Biodeterioration Patterns and Their Interpretation for Potential Applications to Stone Conservation: A Hypothesis from Allelopathic Inhibitory Effects of Lichens on the Caestia Pyramid (Rome). SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12031132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The colonisation of stone by different organisms often leaves biodeterioration patterns (BPs) on the surfaces even if their presence is no longer detectable. Peculiar weathering patterns on monuments and rocks, such as pitting phenomena, were recognised as a source of information on past colonisers and environmental conditions. The evident inhibition areas for new bio-patinas observed on the marble blocks of the Caestia Pyramid in Rome, recognisable as tracks of previous colonisations, seem a source for developing new natural products suitable for restoration activities. To hypothesise past occurring communities and species, which gave rise to such BPs, we carried out both in situ observations and analyses of the rich historical available iconography (mainly photographs). Moreover, we analysed literature on the lichen species colonising carbonate stones used in Roman sites. Considering morphology, biochemical properties and historical data on 90 lichen species already reported in Latium archaeological sites, we suppose lichen species belonging to the genus Circinaria (Aspicilia s.l.) to be the main aetiological agent of such peculiar BPs. These results seem relevant to highlight the long-lasting allelopathic properties of some lichen substances potentially applicable as a natural product to control colonisation, improving the environmental and economical sustainability of stone restoration.
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