Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review
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. UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UV-protective activities. Its use as pharmacolo...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Toxicology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8244340 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832565398823763968 |
|---|---|
| author | Nicoletta Croce Michele Pitaro Valentina Gallo Giovanni Antonini |
| author_facet | Nicoletta Croce Michele Pitaro Valentina Gallo Giovanni Antonini |
| author_sort | Nicoletta Croce |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UV-protective activities. Its use as pharmacological agent is widely described in traditional medicine, and in the past few years, the product has been marketed as a food supplement for the induction of weight loss. However, the development of severe hepatotoxicity in a limited number of subjects prompted the FDA to issue a warning letter, which led to the withdrawal of the product from the market in November 2001. Data published in literature on UA toxicology, genotoxicity, mutagenesis, and teratogenicity have been reviewed, as well as the case reports of subjects who developed hepatotoxicity following oral administration of UA as a slimming agent. Finally, we reviewed the most recent studies on the topical use of UA, as well as studies aimed at improving UA pharmacologic activity and reducing toxicity. Indeed, advancements in this field of research could open the possibility to reintroduce the use of UA as therapeutical agent. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9856085654bc47d691edc5e86898c9df |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9856085654bc47d691edc5e86898c9df2025-02-03T01:07:56ZengWileyJournal of Toxicology1687-82052022-01-01202210.1155/2022/8244340Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative ReviewNicoletta Croce0Michele Pitaro1Valentina Gallo2Giovanni Antonini3Interuniversity Consortium INBB-Biostructures and Biosystems National InstituteInteruniversity Consortium INBB-Biostructures and Biosystems National InstituteDepartment of SciencesInteruniversity Consortium INBB-Biostructures and Biosystems National InstituteUsnic acid (UA) is a dibenzofuran derivative naturally present in lichens, organisms resulting from the symbiosis between a fungus and a cyanobacterium, or an alga. UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UV-protective activities. Its use as pharmacological agent is widely described in traditional medicine, and in the past few years, the product has been marketed as a food supplement for the induction of weight loss. However, the development of severe hepatotoxicity in a limited number of subjects prompted the FDA to issue a warning letter, which led to the withdrawal of the product from the market in November 2001. Data published in literature on UA toxicology, genotoxicity, mutagenesis, and teratogenicity have been reviewed, as well as the case reports of subjects who developed hepatotoxicity following oral administration of UA as a slimming agent. Finally, we reviewed the most recent studies on the topical use of UA, as well as studies aimed at improving UA pharmacologic activity and reducing toxicity. Indeed, advancements in this field of research could open the possibility to reintroduce the use of UA as therapeutical agent.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8244340 |
| spellingShingle | Nicoletta Croce Michele Pitaro Valentina Gallo Giovanni Antonini Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review Journal of Toxicology |
| title | Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | toxicity of usnic acid a narrative review |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8244340 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicolettacroce toxicityofusnicacidanarrativereview AT michelepitaro toxicityofusnicacidanarrativereview AT valentinagallo toxicityofusnicacidanarrativereview AT giovanniantonini toxicityofusnicacidanarrativereview |