Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review

Croce, Nicoletta; Pitaro, Michele; Gallo, Valentina; Antonini, Giovanni

doi:10.1155/2022/8244340

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…On the other hand, UA deserves a particular attention, due to the development in the past of hepatotoxicity in a limited number of subjects treated orally for slimming purposes. The content of UA in these formulations was particularly high, ranging from 600 to 1300 mg daily (around ten times the daily dose described in traditional medicine) [ 46 ]. Biopsy performed in the subjects who developed liver failure showed acute hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation, with a marked elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and minimal increase in alkaline phosphatase levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…H150 (the alternative formulation containing twice the amount of UA) produced a UA serum level below the toxic concentrations as well. Noteworthy, in vitro toxicology studies have shown that UA concentrations < 1 μM are safe and well tolerated, while concentrations > 5 μM are toxic for hepatocytes [ 46 ]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first assessment of UA absorption through the nasal mucosa into the circulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…UA inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria without affecting the respiratory chain and ATP synthase [ 46 ]. These properties probably explain its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and represent the rationale for the inclusion of UA in several slimming formulations sold in the past as over-the-counter products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Safety in Rats of a Novel Nasal Spray Formulation for the Prevention of Airborne Viral Infections

et al. 2023

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Hexedra+® is a nasal spray containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, beta-cyclodextrin, and usnic acid. It has been developed with the aim of reducing the risk of transmission of airborne viral infections, with particular reference to influenza and COVID-19. As part of the preclinical development of the product, we carried out a study on thirty male Wistar rats divided into three study groups and treated with Hexedra+, an alternative formulation containing a double concentration of usnic acid (0.015% instead of 0.0075%) or saline solution. Products were administered at the dose of 30 μL into each nostril, three times a day for seven consecutive days by means of a micropipette. By the end of the treatment period, no significant changes were observed in body weight. Histological examination of nasal mucosa and soft organs did not show any significant difference in the three study groups. Serum transaminase level remained in the normal limit in all the animals treated. The serum level of usnic acid was measured in order to assess the absorption of the molecule through the nasal mucosa. By the end of the study period, the usnic acid serum level was negligible in all the animals treated. In conclusion, the safety profile of Hexedra+ appears favorable in the animal model studied.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Safety in Rats of a Novel Nasal Spray Formulation for the Prevention of Airborne Viral Infections

et al. 2023

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“…Usnic acid (UA) is a dibenzofuran derivative naturally present in lichens, organisms resulting from the symbiosis between a fungus and a cyanobacterium, or an alga. They were reported that UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UVprotective activities (Nicoletta Croce et al, 2022).…”

Section: Nanogelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Usnic acid: A promising bioactive agent for wound healing

Shukla¹,

Kumar²,

Sharma³

et al. 2022

Asian J Pharm Pharmacol

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Usnic acid is a dibenzofuran derivative found naturally in , a natural lichen. Natural lichen-derived usnic P. reticulatum acid is a powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant substance. Due to its capacity to encourage tissue regeneration and lower infection rates, it has attracted considerable attention as a possible bioactive agent for wound healing treatment. Usnic acid has the ability to speed up wound healing, especially in burns, diabetic ulcers, and chronic wounds, according to several in vitro and investigations. Usnic acid is a topical wound therapy ingredient that in-vivo can also be used as a wound dressing. However, more research is required to determine its effectiveness and safety in humans as well as the best formulation for uses in wound healing. Usnic acid is typically regarded as harmless when used topically, but when taken orally, some people may have liver damage. It is a promising bioactive agent for the treatment of wounds that has a lot of potential for use in clinical settings in the future. This review discussed the mechanism of usnic acid, formulations and potential future benefits of usnic acid for the treatment of wounds.

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“…Since conventional chemotherapeutics are known to cause serious side effects when administered, current research is focusing on the use of alternative, natural biocompounds that could destroy tumor cells while minimizing the associated risks [ 10 , 11 ]. Usnic acid (UA) is a natural dibenzofuran derivative present in lichens, which are organisms resulting from the symbiosis between a cyanobacterium or an alga and a fungus [ 12 , 13 ]. Its first documented use for the treatment of malaria, snakebite, wounds, and pulmonary tuberculosis dates back to the first century B.C.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Usnic Acid-Loaded Magnetite Nanoparticles—A Comparative Study between Synthesis Methods

Chircov,

Bîrcă,

Dănciulescu

et al. 2023

Molecules

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Since cancer is a continuously increasing concern for the general population, more efficient treatment alternatives ought to be developed. In this regard, a promising direction is represented by the use of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) to act both as a nanocarrier for the targeted release of antitumoral drugs and as hyperthermia agents. Thus, the present study focused on improving the control upon the outcome properties of MNPs by using two synthesis methods, namely the co-precipitation and microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, for the incorporation of usnic acid (UA), a natural lichen-derived metabolite with proven anticancer activity. The obtained UA-loaded MNPs were thoroughly characterized regarding their morpho-structural and physicochemical properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Results demonstrated the formation of magnetite as the unique mineralogical phase through both types of synthesis, with increased uniformity regarding the drug loading efficiency, size, stability, and magnetic properties obtained through the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the nanostructures against the HEK 293T cell line was investigated through the XTT assay, which further proved their potential for anticancer treatment applications.

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Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review

Cited by 12 publications

References 69 publications

Safety in Rats of a Novel Nasal Spray Formulation for the Prevention of Airborne Viral Infections

Safety in Rats of a Novel Nasal Spray Formulation for the Prevention of Airborne Viral Infections

Usnic acid: A promising bioactive agent for wound healing

Usnic Acid-Loaded Magnetite Nanoparticles—A Comparative Study between Synthesis Methods

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