The Natural Compound Hydrophobic Usnic Acid and Hydrophilic Potassium Usnate Derivative: Applications and Comparisons

Molecules

José Guedes da Silva Júnior¹  Hianna Arely Milca Fagundes Silva¹  Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho¹  Hallysson Douglas Andrade de Araújo¹  André de Lima Aires²  Mônica Camelo Pessoa de Azevedo Albuquerque² 

[1] Centro de Biociências-Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-501, PE, Brazil;Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-501, PE, Brazil;

关键词: lichen;    secondary metabolite;    usnic acid;    acid-base reaction;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules26195995

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Usnic acid is the best-studied lichen metabolite, presenting several biological activities, such as antibacterial, immunostimulating, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic agents; despite these relevant properties, it is a hydrophobic and toxic molecule. In this context, scientific research has driven the development of innovative alternatives, considering usnic acid as a source of raw material in obtaining new molecules, allowing structural modifications (syntheses) from it. The purpose is to optimize biological activities and toxicity, with less concentration and/or response time. This work presents a literature review with an analogy of the hydrophobic molecule of usnic acid with its hydrophilic derivative of potassium usnate, emphasizing the elucidation and structural characteristics, biological activities, and toxicological aspects of both molecules, and the advantages of using the promising derivative hydrophilic in different in vitro and in vivo assays when compared to usnic acid.

【 授权许可】

Unknown