Analysis of Usnea fasciata crude extracts with antineoplastic activity.

Abstract

Different fractions, isolated from the lichen Usnea fasciata, were analyzed by PC, TLC, and RP-HPLC. Analysis of the organic phases, mainly containing phenolics, revealed that usnic acid is the main product from secondary metabolites, whereas the polysaccharides isolichenin and raffinose are the most abundant water-soluble carbohydrates. Fractions containing usnic acid, as well as those containing isolichenin, showed moderate activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich tumor cells. High antitumoral activity, near 90% inhibition, was found associated with the fraction containing raffinose.

• Authors: E C Periera, S C Nascimento, R C Lima, N H Silva, A F Oliveira, E Bandeira, M Boitard, H Beriel, C Vicente, M E Legaz
• Journal: The Tokai journal of experimental and clinical medicine (Tokai J Exp Clin Med) Vol. 19 Issue 1-2 Pg. 47-52 (Sep 1994) ISSN: 0385-0005 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 7660383 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Carbohydrates

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (isolation & purification, metabolism)
• Carbohydrates (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor (drug therapy)
• Lethal Dose 50
• Lichens (chemistry)
• Mice
• Sarcoma 180 (drug therapy)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured