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Pro/Antigenotoxic Activity of Usnic Acid Enantiomers In Vitro
I A Prokop'ev1, E V Filippov2, G V Filippova2
1Institute of Biological Problems of Cryolithozone, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia. ilya.a.prokopiev@gmail.com.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|January 9, 2018
Summary
Usnic acid enantiomers show antigenotoxic effects, reducing DNA damage from genotoxicants by 37-70% in human lymphocytes. This protective activity was observed at low concentrations, with higher doses showing no effect or potentiation.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Genotoxicants pose risks to human health by damaging DNA.
- Usnic acid, a natural compound, has potential biological activities.
- Understanding the antigenotoxic potential of usnic acid enantiomers is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigenotoxic effects of usnic acid enantiomers.
- To evaluate the impact of usnic acid on DNA damage induced by dioxidine and methyl methanesulfonate.
- To determine the dose-dependent effects of usnic acid enantiomers.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study using human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
- DNA comet assay to measure DNA damage.
- Exposure to dioxidine and methyl methanesulfonate as model genotoxicants.
Main Results:
- Usnic acid enantiomers (0.01-1.00 μM) significantly reduced DNA damage (37-70%) and atypical DNA comets (23-61%).
- No modulation of genotoxic effects was observed at 10 μM.
- Potentiation of genotoxic effects occurred at 100 μM.
- Antigenotoxic activity was independent of enantiomeric configuration and the specific genotoxicant used.
Conclusions:
- Usnic acid enantiomers exhibit significant antigenotoxic properties at low concentrations.
- The concentration of usnic acid is critical in determining its effect on genotoxicity.
- Usnic acid represents a potential agent for mitigating genotoxic damage.
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