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Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Systemic and Local Drug Delivery for Treating Diseases of the Central Nervous System in Rodent Models
Published on: August 16, 2010
Lichen-derived compounds show potential for central nervous system therapeutics
R Gajendra Reddy1, Lenin Veeraval1, Swati Maitra1
1Chemical Biology, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India.
Certain lichen compounds demonstrate neurotrophic and neurogenic properties, showing potential for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders by promoting neurite outgrowth and inhibiting acetylcholine esterase (AChE).
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lichen natural products are explored for biological activities, but their central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic potential remains underexplored.
- Investigating novel compounds for CNS disorders is crucial due to limited treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neurotrophic, neurogenic, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of specific lichen compounds: atranorin, perlatolic acid, physodic acid, and usnic acid.
- To assess the potential of these lichen-derived compounds as agents for CNS disorders.
Main Methods:
- Neurotrophic activity assessed via neurite outgrowth in Neuro2A cells; cytotoxicity evaluated using MTT assay.
- Gene expression of neurotrophic markers (BDNF, NGF) analyzed by RT-PCR; epigenetic markers (acetyl H3, H4) assessed by immunoblotting.
- Neurogenic properties determined in primary hippocampal cultures; AChE inhibition measured using a modified Ellman's assay.
Main Results:
- Atranorin, perlatolic acid, physodic acid, and usnic acid exhibited neurotrophic activity (neurite outgrowth).
- Perlatolic acid showed significant AChE inhibition and proneurogenic activity with no observed cytotoxicity.
- Neurotrophic compounds modulated BDNF and NGF gene expression; perlatolic acid increased acetyl H3 and H4 protein levels.
Conclusions:
- Lichen-derived depsides and depsidones possess demonstrable neuroactive properties in vitro and ex vivo.
- These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of specific lichen compounds for treating CNS disorders.
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