Usnic acid

Catalog No.S4953 Batch:S495301

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Technical Data

Formula

C18H16O7
Molecular Weight 344.32 CAS No. 125-46-2
Solubility (25°C)* In vitro DMSO 4 mg/mL (11.61 mM)
 
 
* <1 mg/ml means slightly soluble or insoluble.
* Please note that Selleck tests the solubility of all compounds in-house, and the actual solubility may differ slightly from published values. This is normal and is due to slight batch-to-batch variations.
* Room temperature shipping (Stability testing shows this product can be shipped without any cooling measures.)

Preparing Stock Solutions

Biological Activity

Description Usnic acid (Usniacin) is a furandione found uniquely in lichen that is used widely in cosmetics, deodorants, toothpaste and medicinal creams as well as some herbal products. It exhibits antiviral, antiprotozoal, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Usnic acid inhibits breast tumor angiogenesis and growth by suppressing VEGFR2-mediated AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.
Targets
Akt [3] ERK [3]
In vitro

Usnic acid inhibits cell growth involving G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and induces cell death via mitochondrial membrane depolarization and induction of apoptosis in human lung carcinoma cells. Usnic acid has shown activity againstmany cancer cells such as lung carcinoma cells, murine leukemia P388 and L1210 cells, colon carcinoma HT-29 and HCT-116 cells, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells, and cervix adenocarcinoma cells[1]. Usnic acid also selectively inhibits the viability of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, provoking the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which triggers the mitochondrial/caspase apoptotic pathway in MCF-7 cells[2].
In vivo

In an MCF-7 xenograft model, Usnic acid significantly suppresses the growth of tumors by inducing apoptosis in the tumor cells without overt toxic side effects[2].

Protocol (from reference)

Cell Assay:

[1]
  • Cell lines

    A549 cells

  • Concentrations

    25, 50, and 100 μM

  • Incubation Time

    24 and 48 h

  • Method

    Cells at a density of 1 × 105 are seeded per 60-mm culture plate and treated with either DMSO or indicated concentrations of usnic acid for 24 and 48 h. After each treatment time, cells are harvested by brief trypsinization and then gently mixed with trypan blue and counted using hemocytometer.
Animal Study:

[2]
  • Animal Models

    6- to 8-week-old female BALB/c nu/nu mice (subcutaneously injected with MCF-7 cells)

  • Dosages

    25, 50 or 100 mg/kg

  • Administration

    i.p.

RETURN POLICY
Selleck Chemical’s Unconditional Return Policy ensures a smooth online shopping experience for our customers. If you are in any way unsatisfied with your purchase, you may return any item(s) within 7 days of receiving it. In the event of product quality issues, either protocol related or product related problems, you may return any item(s) within 365 days from the original purchase date. Please follow the instructions below when returning products.

SHIPPING AND STORAGE
Selleck products are transported at room temperature. If you receive the product at room temperature, please rest assured, the Selleck Quality Inspection Department has conducted experiments to verify that the normal temperature placement of one month will not affect the biological activity of powder products. After collecting, please store the product according to the requirements described in the datasheet. Most Selleck products are stable under the recommended conditions.

NOT FOR HUMAN, VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USE.