Contact dermatitis from usnic acid in vaginal ovules

Rafanelli, Silvia; Bacchilega, Roberto; Stanganelli, Ignazio; Rafanelli, A

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1995.tb00484.x

Cited by 22 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In one subject, a woodcutter, this was work-related (Hahn et al 1995). In the other two cases, dermatitis was caused by vaginal ovules and by a fragrance mix containing oak moss, respectively (Rafanelli et al 1995;Rademaker 2000). Interestingly, both the subjects were also metalintolerant.…”

Section: Allergologymentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on usnic acid, an interesting natural compound

Cocchietto¹,

Skert

Nimis

et al. 2002

Naturwissenschaften

317

186

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Lichens are a world-widespread consortium of fungal and photosynthetic partners. Usnic acid is one of the most common and abundant lichen metabolites, well known as an antibiotic, but also endowed with several other interesting properties. This review summarises the most relevant studies on usnic acid, focusing on a number of biological activities in different fields. On the basis of the existing literature, usnic acid seems to be an exclusive lichen product. No synthetic derivatives more effective than the natural form are known. Both the (+) and (-) enantiomers of usnic acid are effective against a large variety of Gram-positive (G+) bacterial strains, including strains from clinical isolates, irrespective of their resistant phenotype. Of particular relevance is the inhibition of growth of multi-resistant strains of Streptococcus aureus, enterococci and mycobacteria. The (+)-usnic acid enantiomer appears to be selective against Streptococcus mutans without inducing perturbing side effects on the oral saprophyte flora. On the other hand, the (-)-usnic acid enantiomer is a selective natural herbicide because of its blocking action against a specific key plant enzyme. Other recognised characteristics of usnic acid are ultraviolet absorption and preserving properties. The toxicology, the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects and the mechanism of action of usnic acid need to be investigated in greater detail in order to reach clinical trials and to allow further applications. Furthermore, more research is needed to make possible intensive lichen culture, in order to produce large quantities of lichen substances for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural purposes. Some biological aspects, i.e. the possible biological roles of usnic acid, are discussed.

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Section: Allergologymentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on usnic acid, an interesting natural compound

Cocchietto¹,

Skert

Nimis

et al. 2002

Naturwissenschaften

317

186

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although usnic acid is a molecule with an initial report available in the literature in the 1950s, whose purpose was the search for new antibiotics [ 10 ], even nowadays this molecule is used in pharmaceutical industry applications [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], with a breakthrough and hundreds of scientific papers to demonstrate the efficacy of the various biological activities and toxicity attributed to usnic acid [ 4 , 9 ]. Antibacterial action [ 14 ], gastroprotective effect [ 15 ], immunostimulatory [ 16 ], antiviral [ 17 ], antifungal [ 18 ], anti-inflammatory [ 19 ], antiparasitic [ 20 ] and antitumor activity [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Natural Compound Hydrophobic Usnic Acid and Hydrophilic Potassium Usnate Derivative: Applications and Comparisons

et al. 2021

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Usnic acid is the best-studied lichen metabolite, presenting several biological activities, such as antibacterial, immunostimulating, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic agents; despite these relevant properties, it is a hydrophobic and toxic molecule. In this context, scientific research has driven the development of innovative alternatives, considering usnic acid as a source of raw material in obtaining new molecules, allowing structural modifications (syntheses) from it. The purpose is to optimize biological activities and toxicity, with less concentration and/or response time. This work presents a literature review with an analogy of the hydrophobic molecule of usnic acid with its hydrophilic derivative of potassium usnate, emphasizing the elucidation and structural characteristics, biological activities, and toxicological aspects of both molecules, and the advantages of using the promising derivative hydrophilic in different in vitro and in vivo assays when compared to usnic acid.

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“…In Finland, "ramalina thrausta" was used internally to treat sore throat and toothache and externally to treat wounds and athlete's foot (3,23). In Italy, usnic acid has been used in vaginal creams, foot creams, powders, and shampoo (25). In Argentina, "Barba del la Piedra" (Usnea densirostra) has been sold to treat many ailments (26).…”

Section: History Of Use Of Usnea Lichens and Usnic Acidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Usnic Acid andUsnea BarbataToxicity

Guo

Shi

Fang

et al. 2008

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C

125

107

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Usnic acid is a prominent secondary lichen metabolite that has been used for various purposes worldwide. Crude extracts of usnic acid or pure usnic acid have been marketed in the United States as dietary supplements to aid in weight loss. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 21 reports of liver toxicity related to the ingestion of dietary supplements that contain usnic acid. This prompted the FDA to issue a warning about one such supplement, LipoKinetix, in 2001 (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-lipo.html). Subsequently, usnic acid and Usnea barbata lichen were nominated by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) for toxicity evaluations. At present, a toxicological evaluation of usnic acid is being conducted by the NTP. This review focuses on the recent findings of usnic acid-induced toxicities and their underlying mechanisms of action. KeywordsWeight loss dietary supplement; usnic acid and Usnea barbata toxicity

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Contact dermatitis from usnic acid in vaginal ovules

Cited by 22 publications

References 3 publications

A review on usnic acid, an interesting natural compound

A review on usnic acid, an interesting natural compound

The Natural Compound Hydrophobic Usnic Acid and Hydrophilic Potassium Usnate Derivative: Applications and Comparisons

Review of Usnic Acid andUsnea BarbataToxicity

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