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Chemical Structure| 125-46-2 Chemical Structure| 125-46-2

Structure of Usnic acid
CAS No.: 125-46-2

Chemical Structure| 125-46-2

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Usnic acid is a furandione found uniquely in lichen that is used widely in cosmetics, deodorants, toothpaste and medicinal creams as well as some herbal products. It exhibits antiviral, antiprotozoal, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Synonyms: NSC 8517; Usniacin

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Product Details of Usnic acid

CAS No. :125-46-2
Formula : C18H16O7
M.W : 344.32
SMILES Code : O=C(C1(C)C(OC2=C(C(C)=O)C(O)=C(C)C(O)=C12)=C3)C(C(C)=O)C3=O
Synonyms :
NSC 8517; Usniacin
MDL No. :MFCD00065294
InChI Key :CUCUKLJLRRAKFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Pubchem ID :5646

Safety of Usnic acid

GHS Pictogram:
Signal Word:Warning
Hazard Statements:H302-H335
Precautionary Statements:P261

Isoform Comparison

Biological Activity

In Vitro:

Cell Line
Concentration Treated Time Description References
CaCo2 cells 5 µM 24 hours Suppressed cell invasion JACS Au. 2024 Apr 11;4(4):1521-1537
Clostridium perfringens 3 mM 48 hours Inhibited the growth of C. perfringens J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 May 12;16(1):67
HEK293T cells 5, 10, 20 µM 48 hours Suppressed AP-1, STAT3, and NF-κB activity JACS Au. 2024 Apr 11;4(4):1521-1537
H520 cells 30 µM 12 hours Usnic acid dose-dependently increased ROS levels in H520 cells Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 29;21(3):876
HCT116 cells 5 µM 24 hours Suppressed cell invasion JACS Au. 2024 Apr 11;4(4):1521-1537
Streptococcus mutans UA 159 0.48 to 250 μg/ml 1 min To evaluate the anti-acidogenic and anti-aciduric effects of usnic acid on S. mutans biofilms. Results showed significant inhibition of acid production and ATPase activity in biofilm cells. Biofilm. 2024 Nov 30;8:100241
Ca2+- or Zn2+-loaded liposomes 20 µM or 40 µM 10 minutes Measure the efflux of Ca2+ or Zn2+ induced by usnic acid. Results showed Zn2+ efflux was faster than Ca2+. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 19;23(24):16203
Calu-1 cells 30 µM 12 hours Usnic acid dose-dependently increased ROS levels in Calu-1 cells Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 29;21(3):876
Sporozoites 30 µM 2 hours Induced apoptosis in sporozoites and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 May 12;16(1):67
Human blood cells 125 μg/mL 24 hours Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of usnic acid on human blood cells, showing a significant decrease in cell viability and induction of early apoptosis Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jul 23;10(8):1171
Human blood cells 75 μg/mL 24 hours Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of usnic acid on human blood cells, showing a significant decrease in cell viability and induction of early apoptosis Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jul 23;10(8):1171
Human blood cells 50 μg/mL 24 hours Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of usnic acid on human blood cells, showing a significant decrease in cell viability Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jul 23;10(8):1171
Human blood cells 25 μg/mL 24 hours Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of usnic acid on human blood cells, showing a slight decrease in cell viability Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jul 23;10(8):1171
Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra 512 μg/ml 24 hours To evaluate the effect of usnic acid on Mycobacterium tuberculosis at transcriptomic and metabolomic levels, results showed that usnic acid treatment provoked disturbances of redox state in mycobacterial cells and increased production of structural elements of the cell wall and cell membrane mSystems. 2021 May 4;6(3):e00097-21
Calu-1 cells 10 to 40 µM 24 hours Usnic acid dose-dependently induced apoptosis in Calu-1 cells Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 29;21(3):876
H520 cells 10 to 40 µM 24 hours Usnic acid dose-dependently induced apoptosis in H520 cells Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 29;21(3):876
HepG2 cells 3.13-50 µM 24 hours To investigate the toxic effects of usnic acid on HepG2 cells, including DNA damage, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and oxidative stress. Results showed that usnic acid caused DNA damage and S-phase cell cycle arrest within 24 hours and triggered oxidative stress. Arch Toxicol. 2017 Mar;91(3):1293-1307
Yeast cells 40 µM 2-5 minutes To observe the effect of Usnic acid on nuclear accumulation of Rpl7a-GFP, results showed Rpl7a-GFP accumulated in the nucleus within 2 minutes. Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 29;15(1):7511
HNEpC cells 75 mcg/mL 3 hours Evaluate the blocking effect of UA on VSV-based pseudovirus SARS-CoV-2 infection, results showed UA effectively blocked viral infection. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 12;24(4):3695
Vero E6 cells 75 mcg/mL 3 hours Evaluate the blocking effect of UA on VSV-based pseudovirus SARS-CoV-2 infection, results showed UA effectively blocked viral infection. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 12;24(4):3695
Yeast cells 40 µM 30 minutes To observe the effect of Usnic acid on nucleolar accumulation of Rps9-GFP, results showed Rps9-GFP accumulated in the nucleolus within 30 minutes. Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 29;15(1):7511
Coccidian oocysts 30 µM 8 hours Induced apoptosis in coccidian oocysts, lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, and disrupted oocyst structure J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 May 12;16(1):67

In Vivo:

Species
Animal Model
Administration Dosage Frequency Description References
Caenorhabditis elegans Wild-type animals and various mutants Administered via culture medium 2 mM Continuous administration starting from L4 larval stage Usnic Acid extended healthspan and improved neurodegeneration diseases by inhibiting the mTOR/PHA-4 signaling pathway iScience. 2022 Nov 9;25(12):105539
Broiler chickens Necrotic enteritis model Oral 300 mg/kg Once daily for 42 days Improved growth performance, reduced intestinal lesion scores, decreased fecal coccidian oocyst counts, and enhanced intestinal barrier function and immune response J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 May 12;16(1):67
Female nude mice H520 xenograft model Intraperitoneal injection 50 mg/kg Once every two days for four weeks Usnic acid significantly inhibited H520 xenograft tumor growth Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 29;21(3):876

Protocol

Bio Calculators
Preparing Stock Solutions 1mg 5mg 10mg

1 mM

5 mM

10 mM

2.90mL

0.58mL

0.29mL

14.52mL

2.90mL

1.45mL

29.04mL

5.81mL

2.90mL

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