Effect of Usnic Acid on Osteoclastogenic Activity

  • J Clin Med. 2018 Oct 12;7(10):345. doi: 10.3390/jcm7100345.
Kwang-Jin Kim  1 ,  Min-Hye Jeong  2 ,  Yongjin Lee  3 ,  Sue-Jeong Hwang  4 ,  Han-Byeol Shin  5 ,  Jae-Seoun Hur  6 ,  Young-Jin Son  7
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 2. Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 3. Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 4. Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 5. Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 6. Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
  • 7. Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. [email protected].
PMID: 30322046 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7100345
Abstract

Osteoclasts are the only cells that can resorb bone and they are produced from monocytes/macrophages in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL and are activated in vivo by an immune response. Usnic acid is a secondary metabolite of Lichen and has a unique dibenzofuran skeleton. It has been used for years in cosmetics, fragrances, and traditional medicines. It has a wide range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and so on. However, the anti-osteoclastogenic activity of usnic acid has not been reported yet. In this study, we investigated whether usnic acid could affect RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Usnic acid significantly inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation and function by reducing the transcriptional and translational expression of NFATc1, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. In addition, it prevented lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced bone erosion in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that usnic acid might be a potential candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Keywords
NFATc1; bone; osteoclast; osteoporosis; usnic acid.
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