Cat. No.: HY-N0656

Usnic acid

2 Cited Publications

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Based on 2 publication(s) in Google Scholar

Usnic acid is a secondary metabolite of lichens with a unique dibenzofuran skeleton. Usnic acid inhibits DNA/RNA synthesis and has antibacterial activity. Usnic acid induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and has anticancer activity. Usnic acid inhibits RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation and function by reducing the transcriptional and translational expression of NFATc1. Usnic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase.

For research use only. We do not sell to patients.

Purity: 98.90%
CAS No.: 125-46-2
Formula: C₁₈H₁₆O₇
Molecular Weight:344.32

Storage:

Powder -20°C, 3 years , 4°C, 2 years ; In solvent -80°C, 6 months , -20°C, 1 month

Usnic acid Chemical Structure

CAS No.: 125-46-2

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Biological Activity
- Description
- Cellular Effect
- In Vitro
- In Vivo
Chemical Information
Publications (2)
Solvent & Solubility
- In Vitro
- In Vivo
Purity & Documentation
References
Help & FAQs
Classifications
Bioz

Biological Activity

Description

All DNA/RNA Synthesis Isoforms :

Cellular Effect

Cell Line	Type	Value	Description	References
HeLa	IC₅₀	>10 μM Compound: (-)-1	Antiproliferative activity against human HeLa cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human HeLa cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31282672]
MCF7	IC₅₀	>10 μM Compound: (-)-1	Antiproliferative activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human MCF7 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31282672]
PC-3	IC₅₀	>10 μM Compound: (-)-1	Antiproliferative activity against human PC3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human PC3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 24 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31282672]
PC-3	IC₅₀	>10 μM Compound: (-)-1	Antiproliferative activity against human PC3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 48 hrs by MTT assay Antiproliferative activity against human PC3 cells assessed as reduction in cell viability after 48 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 31282672]

In Vitro

Usnic acid (0-40 μg/mL, 0-150 min) inhibits the growth of B. subtilis, S. aureus and V. harveyi^[1].
Usnic acid (0.5/1 μg/mL, 15-150 min) inhibits the incorporation rate of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis macromolecular precursors thymidine, uridine and leucine in B. subtilis and S. aureus^[1].
Usnic acid (25-100 μM, 24-48 h) inhibits the viability and clonogenicity of A549 cells. It also induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and apoptosis of A549 cells^[2].
Usnic acid (0.3-3 μM, 4 d) inhibits the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) into mature osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner^[4].
Usnic acid (3 μM, 0-3 d) inhibits the transcriptional and translational expression of RANKL on NFATc1 in BMMs^[4].
Usnic acid (3 μM, 5-30 min) inhibits RANKL-induced activities of MAP kinases p38, ERK and JNK in BMMs^[4].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Cell Viability Assay^[2]

Cell Line:

A549 cells
Concentration:

25, 50, 100 μM
Incubation Time:

24/48 h
Result:

Inhibited cell proliferation (35-48%/59-72%).

Cell Proliferation Assay^[2]

Cell Line:

A549 cells
Concentration:

1, 5, 10 μM
Incubation Time:

7 days
Result:

Inhibited cell colony formation (8, 23, 85%).

Cell Cycle Analysis^[2]

Cell Line:

A549 cells
Concentration:

25, 50, 100 μM
Incubation Time:

24/48 h
Result:

Induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 (77%, 81% and 80%; 87%, 85%, and 82%).
Down-regulated CDK4, CDK-6 and cyclin D1 protein levels.
Up-regulated p21/Cip1 protein and cleaved-PARP levels.

Apoptosis Analysis^[2]

Cell Line:

A549 cells
Concentration:

25, 50, 100 μM
Incubation Time:

48 h
Result:

Increased the number of apoptotic cells (6%, 10% and 11%).

RT-PCR^[4]

Cell Line:

BMMs
Concentration:

Usnic acid (3 µM) for 1 h prior to RANKL (10 ng/mL) and M-CSF (30 ng/mL) stimulation
Incubation Time:

0, 1, 2, 3 d
Result:

Down-regulated the gene expression levels of TRAP, DC-STAMP, and cathepsin K.

Western Blot Analysis^[4]

Cell Line:

BMMs
Concentration:

Usnic acid (3 µM) for 1 h prior to RANKL (10 ng/mL) stimulation
Incubation Time:

5, 15, 30 min
Result:

Down-regulated the protein expression levels of p38, ERK and JNK.

In Vivo

Usnic acid (25-200 mg/kg, p.o., once) can inhibit Indomethacin (HY-14397)-induced gastric injury in rats (80.2-96.4%)^[3].
Usnic acid (1 μg/g, i.p., every day for up to 8 days) inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) bone erosion model ^[4].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Animal Model:

Indomethacin-induced gastric damage model (male, Albino-Wistar rats, weighing 180-190 g; Indomethacin 25 mg/kg body weight orally.)^[3]
Dosage:

25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg
Administration:

Oral gavage (p.o.), once
Result:

Reduced gastric damage in rats (80.2-96.4%).
Increased SOD, GPx, GSH and cNOS levels.
Reduced CAT, GR, LPO, iNOS and MPx levels.

Animal Model:

LPS-induced mouse bone erosion model (five-week-old male ICR mice, 5 µg/µL LPS was injected intraperitoneally on days 1 and 4)^[4]
Dosage:

1 μg/g
Administration:

Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), every day for up to 8 days
Result:

Increased BMD and BV/TV.
Reduced BS/TV and Tb.Sp.

Chemical Information

CAS No. 125-46-2
Appearance Solid
Molecular Weight 344.32
Formula C₁₈H₁₆O₇
Color White to yellow
SMILES

O=C(C1(C)C(OC2=C(C(C)=O)C(O)=C(C)C(O)=C12)=C3)C(C(C)=O)C3=O
Structure Classification
- Phenols
- Polyphenols
- Others
Initial Source
Shipping

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Storage

Powder	-20°C	3 years
	4°C	2 years
In solvent	-80°C	6 months
	-20°C	1 month

Publications (2)

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Journal Impact Factor

Vet Microbiol

The Chinese medicine monomer Schisandrin C inhibits PRRSV infection by regulating the OGT-PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. [Abstract]

2026 May:316:110992. PMID: 41865607
Preprints

2024 Jan 4.

Solvent & Solubility

In Vitro:

DMSO : 3.33 mg/mL (9.67 mM; ultrasonic and warming and heat to 60°C; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO)

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Preparing Stock Solutions

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Concentration Solvent Mass

1 mg

5 mg

10 mg

Concentration

Solvent

Mass

1 mM

2.9043 mL

14.5214 mL

29.0428 mL

5 mM

0.5809 mL

2.9043 mL

5.8085 mL

10 mM

---

Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

Molarity Calculator

Mass (g) = Concentration (mol/L) × Volume (L) × Molecular Weight (g/mol)

Mass Mass

Concentration Concentration

Volume Volume

Molecular Weight Molecular Weight

Dilution Calculator

Concentration _(start) × Volume _(start) = Concentration _(final) × Volume _(final)

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In Vivo:

Working Solution

For the following dissolution methods, please prepare the working solution directly:

It is recommended to prepare fresh solutions and use them promptly within a short period of time.

The percentages shown for the solvents indicate their volumetric ratio in the final prepared solution. If precipitation or phase separation occurs during preparation, heat and/or sonication can be used to aid dissolution.

Protocol 1

Add each solvent one by one: 50% PEG300 50% Saline

Solubility: 2 mg/mL (5.81 mM); Suspended solution; Need ultrasonic

Protocol 2

Add each solvent one by one: 0.5% CMC-Na/saline water

Solubility: 2 mg/mL (5.81 mM); Suspended solution; Need ultrasonic

Protocol 3

Add each solvent one by one: 15% Solutol HS 15 10% Cremophor EL 35% PEG400 40% Water

Solubility: 9.8 mg/mL (28.46 mM); Suspended solution; Need ultrasonic

Purity & Documentation

Select Batch:

Purity: 99.98%

Assay: 99.98%

ee.: 99.98%

Data Sheet (290 KB)
SDS (396 KB)
- English - EN (396 KB)
- Français - FR (396 KB)
- Deutsch - DE (396 KB)
- Norwegian - NO (396 KB)
- Español - ES (396 KB)
- Swedish - SV (396 KB)
- Italian - IT (396 KB)
- Korean - KR (396 KB)
- Portuguese - PT (396 KB)
COA (2659 KB)
Elemental Analysis Report (2659 KB)
HNMR (2659 KB)
CNMR (2659 KB)
RP-HPLC (2659 KB)
NP-HPLC (2659 KB)
MS (2659 KB)
LCMS (2659 KB)
IR (2659 KB)
GC (2659 KB)
OR (2659 KB)
SDS-PAGE (2659 KB)
SEC-HPLC (2659 KB)
Other Report (2659 KB)
Handling Instructions (2659 KB)

References

[1]. Maciąg-Dorszyńska M, et al. Antibacterial activity of lichen secondary metabolite usnic acid is primarily caused by inhibition of RNA and DNA synthesis. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2014 Apr;353(1):57-62. [Content Brief]

[2]. Singh N, et al. Usnic acid inhibits growth and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Nutr Cancer. 2013;65 Suppl 1:36-43. [Content Brief]

[3]. Odabasoglu F, et al. Gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of usnic acid on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 3;103(1):59-65. [Content Brief]

[4]. Kim KJ, et al. Effect of Usnic Acid on Osteoclastogenic Activity. J Clin Med. 2018 Oct 12;7(10):345. [Content Brief]

Help & FAQs

How should lyophilized recombinant proteins be reconstituted and stored?

1. Before opening the cap, centrifuge the vial at 13000 rpm for 20-30 seconds. This step will ensure that any lyophilized powder that may have adhered to the cap or walls is collected at the bottom of the vial, minimizing the risk of product loss.

Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

Optional Solvent	Concentration Solvent Mass	1 mg	5 mg	10 mg	25 mg
DMSO	1 mM	2.9043 mL	14.5214 mL	29.0428 mL	72.6069 mL
DMSO	5 mM	0.5809 mL	2.9043 mL	5.8086 mL	14.5214 mL

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Usnic acid

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Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) Usnic acid

All DNA/RNA Synthesis Isoforms