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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes
Published on: November 1, 2019
Effect of Usnic Acid on Osteoclastogenic Activity
Kwang-Jin Kim1, Min-Hye Jeong2, Yongjin Lee3
1Department of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea. mastiffk@naver.com.
Abstract:
Osteoclasts are the only cells that can resorb bone and they are produced from monocytes/macrophages in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL and are activated in vivo by an immune response. Usnic acid is a secondary metabolite of lichen and has a unique dibenzofuran skeleton. It has been used for years in cosmetics, fragrances, and traditional medicines. It has a wide range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and so on. However, the anti-osteoclastogenic activity of usnic acid has not been reported yet. In this study, we investigated whether usnic acid could affect RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Usnic acid significantly inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation and function by reducing the transcriptional and translational expression of NFATc1, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. In addition, it prevented lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced bone erosion in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that usnic acid might be a potential candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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