• Mycobiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.126-130
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• 2013

Usnea Adans. is a somewhat rare lichen in South Korea, and, in nearly two decades, no detailed taxonomic or revisionary study has been conducted. This study was based on the specimens deposited in the lichen herbarium at the Korean Lichen Research Institute, and the samples were identified using information obtained from recent literature. In this study, a total of eight species of Usnea, including one new record, Usnea hakonensis Asahina, are documented. Detailed descriptions of each species with their morphological, anatomical, and chemical characteristics are provided. A key to all known Usnea species in South Korea is also presented.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.887-896
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• 2015

To develop environment-friendly agricultural products with anti-microbial activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as a pathogen of sclerotium disease, Usnea longissima was extracted by methanol and its extract was fractionated into several solvent fractions. The chloroform fraction, which showed the highest antimicrobial activity, was separated by silica gel-column chromatography and obtained into nine group subfractions. The nine group fractions were searched the antifungal activities by bioassay. The most active No. 3 subfraction was analyzed by GC-MS. Each mass spectra, corresponding to each peak of chromatogram, was compared to database of Wiley library. As a result, Usnic acid was identified as main compounds. In conclusion, Usnic acid isolated from Usnea longissima was antimicrobial chemical against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as a pathogen of sclerotium disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.978-986
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• 2023

Inflammation by the innate immune system is a protective mechanism of the organism against infection-mediated environmental factors. It is also responsible for the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including the progression of cancer. Lichens are receiving increasing attention as a source of bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. Additionally, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential of lichen and its secondary metabolites have been widely reported. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, to investigate molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation and anti-cancer activity in the Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, methanol extract of Usnea aurantiaco-atra (MEUS) was used in vitro assays in RAW 264.7 macrophages cell and HCT116 colon cancer cells. Based on our data, MEUS had the anti-inflammatory activity through the modulation of main inflammatory indicators such as COX-2, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that MEUS had cytotoxic activity against HCT116 colon cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, leading to a significantly reduced proliferation of the cancer cells through apoptotic induction by activating caspase-3. Taken together, this work firstly reported the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of an Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, and MEUS may provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying a link between inflammation and cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.578-582
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• 2007

The primary objective of this study was to assess the in vitro melanogenesis inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of the edible and medicinal lichens, Umbilicaria (Gyrophora) esculenta and Usnea longissima. The quantities of the total phenolic compounds of methanolic extract of the two lichen extracts were determined to be 1.46% and 2.62%, respectively. In order to evaluate the antioxidative effects of the extracts, we also measured electron donating abilities (EDA) and lipid peroxidation rates. The EDA values measured by the reduction of 1.1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 72.8% and 80.7% for the extracts, with $SC_{50}$ (median scavenging concentration) values of $1.29{\pm}0.05\;mg/ml$ and $1.03{\pm}0.06\;mg/ml$, respectively. The rates of inhibition of lipid peroxidation using linoleic acid were 92.1% and 97.3% for the extracts, with $IC_{50}$ (median inhibitory concentration) values of $0.57{\pm}0.05\;mg/ml$ and $0.53{\pm}0.06\;mg/ml$, respectively. The inhibitory rates of the extracts against tyrosinase were 67.4% and 84.8%, respectively. The extracts were shown to reduce melanin formation in human melanoma cells. Melanin contents in the samples treated with 0.01% and 0.1% U. esculenta were 47.1% and 31.2%, respectively, and those treated with 0.01% and 0.1% Usnea longissima were 51.1% and 34.9%, respectively, whereas a value of 54.0% was registered when ascorbic acid was utilized as a positive control. In addition to direct tyrosinase inhibition, it was determined that the lichen extracts affected the activity of tyrosinase via the inhibition of tyrosinase glycosylation. As a result, the methanolic extracts of U. esculenta and Usnea longissima evidenced melanogenesis inhibitory effects, which occurred via multiple routes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

To isolate a novel antifungal compound, we obtained 100 kinds of endolichenic fungi from Korean Lichen & Allied Bioresources Center and examined their antifungal capability. Three fungi Usnea rigidula (2326), Parmotrema pseudotinctorum (2202) and Myelochroa sp. (2292) showed high antifungal activity against Candida albicans when they grew in both liquid and solid media. We extracted the culture supernatants of these three fungi with chloroform and then with ethyl acetate. Chloroform fraction exhibited the highest antifungal activities when those fractions were examined for the growth inhibition of Candida albicans with disc diffusion method. The chloroform faction was on further analysis with $C_{18}$ column chromatography to see whether the inhibitors are already known or not. Two peak fractions were collected from 4-day culture extract for Usnea rigidula and from 6-day culture extract for Parmotrema pseudotinctorum on the HPLC. A peak fraction from chloroform extracts of 4-day culture filtrate of Parmotrema pseudotinctorum showed higher antifungal activities against C. albicans and C. glabrata than another peak fraction. It appears that the antifungal materials are relatively nonpolar as usnic acid often found in lichenic fungi.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2014

Usnea longissima has a long history of use as a traditional medicine. Several bioactive compounds, primarily belonging to the polyketide family, have been isolated from U. longissima. However, the genes for the biosynthesis of these compounds are yet to be identified. In the present study, three different types of non-reducing polyketide synthases (UlPKS2, UlPKS4, and UlPKS6) were identified from a cultured lichen-forming fungus of U. longissima. Phylogenetic analysis of product template domains showed that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 belong to group IV, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases with an methyltransferase (MeT) domain that are involved in methylorcinol-based compound synthesis; UlPKS6 was found to belong to group I, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases that synthesize single aromatic ring polyketides, such as orsellinic acid. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis demonstrated that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 were upregulated by sucrose; UlPKS6 was downregulated by asparagine, glycine, and alanine.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.493-503
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• 2015

This study analyzed how spatial distribution of Himantormia lugubris is affected by the microenvironment in the Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 171 located in the Barton Peninsula of King George Island that belongs to the maritime Antarctic. In order to determine the population structure of H. lugubris growing in Baekje Hill within ASPA No. 171, we counted the individuals of different size groups after dividing the population into 5 growth stages according to mean diameter as follows: ≤ 1 cm, 1-3 cm, 3-5 cm, 5-10 cm, and ≥ 10 cm. The count of H. lugubris individuals in each growth stage was converted into its percentage with respect to the entire population, which yielded the finding that stages 1 through 5 accounted for 32.8%, 25.3%, 15.9%, 22.5%, and 3.5%, respectively. This suggests that the population of H. lugubris in ASPA No. 171 has a stable reverse J-shaped population structure, with the younger individuals outnumbering mature ones. The mean density of H. lugubris was 17.6/0.25 m², mean canopy cover 13.3%, and the mean dry weight 37.8 g/0.25 m². It began to produce spore in the sizes over 3 cm, and most individuals measuring 5-10 cm were adults with sexually mature apothecia. The spatial distribution of H. lugubris was highly heterogeneous. The major factors influencing its distribution and performance were found to be the period covered by snow, wind direction, moisture, size of the substrate, and canopy cover of Usnea spp. Based on these factors, we constructed a prediction model for estimating the spatial distribution of H. lugubris. Conclusively, the major factors for the spatial distribution of H. lugubris were snow, wind, substrate and the competition with Usnea spp. These results are important for understanding of the distribution in the maritime Antarctic and evolution of H. lugubris that claims a unique life history and ecological niche.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2024

Songla (Usnea diffracta Vain.) is one of the lichens belonging to the genus Usnea, and pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and cardiovascular protection have been reported in previous studies, but its efficacy in skin and hair is not well known. In this study, the effect of Usnea diffracta extract (UDE) on anti-aging and dermal papilla cell proliferation was verified in vitro. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the UDE significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1 and the activity of MAPKs (ERK, p38, JNK) and AP-1 (c-Fos, c-Jun), which were increased by UVA in HDFn. In addition, the UDE significantly increased the proliferation of HFDPC and significantly increased the mRNA expression of VEGF and KGF, which are hair growth factors. Accordingly, the phosphorylation of ERK/CREB involved in hair proliferation and expression of growth factors was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The main component represented by the main peak was separated and purified using Prep LC by concentrating the UDE, which was confirmed as diffractaic acid through NMR and Mess analysis. Isolated diffractaic acid significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1 increased by UVA in HDFn and increased the proliferation of HFDPC in a concentration-dependent manner. The result suggest that UDE proved its usability as a natural cosmetic material with anti-aging and dermal papilla cell activation effects.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-336
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• 2018

Background: Biogenic fabrication of silver nanoparticles from naturally occurring biomaterials provides an alternative, eco-friendly and cost-effective means of obtaining nanoparticles. It is a favourite pursuit of all scientists and has gained popularity because it prevents the environment from pollution. Our main objective to take up this project is to fabricate silver nanoparticles from lichen, Usnea longissima and explore their properties. In the present study, we report a benign method of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous-ethanolic extract of Usnea longissima and their characterization by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Silver nanoparticles thus obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. Results: Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the appearance of an absorption band at 400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum of the colloidal solution containing both the nanoparticles and U. longissima extract. Poly(ethylene glycol) coated silver nanoparticles showed additional absorption peaks at 424 and 450 nm. FTIR spectrum showed the involvement of amines, usnic acids, phenols, aldehydes and ketones in the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Morphological studies showed three types of nanoparticles with an abundance of spherical shaped silver nanoparticles of 9.40-11.23 nm. Their average hydrodynamic diameter is 437.1 nm. Results of in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneuomoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria) showed that it was effective against tested bacterial strains. However, S. mutans, C. diphtheriae and P. aeruginosa were resistant to silver nanoparticles. Conclusion: Lichens are rarely exploited for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles. In the present work the lichen acts as reducing as well as capping agent. They can therefore, be used to synthesize metal nanoparticles and their size may be controlled by monitoring the concentration of extract and metal ions. Since they are antibacterial they may be used for the treatment of bacterial infections in man and animal. They can also be used in purification of water, in soaps and medicine. Their sustained release may be achieved by coating them with a suitable polymer. Silver nanoparticles fabricated from edible U. longissima are free from toxic chemicals and therefore they can be safely used in medicine and medical devices. These silver nanoparticles were stable for weeks therefore they can be stored for longer duration of time without decomposition.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2012

Objectives : By investigating antimicrobial activity of natural extracts, identifying its usefulness as antibiotic material to oral bacteria. Methods : Antimicrobial activity tests of 25 natural extracts were implemented on 6 type strains alleged to cause dental caries and 10 clinical strains isolated and identified from dental caries. Results : Among medicinal plants, Coptis japonica, Scutellaria baicalensis, Dictamnus dasycarpus showed antimicrobial activity. Among lichens, 3 methanol extracts and 6 acetone extracts showed antimicrobial activity. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC) test of Usnea aurantiacoatra KoLRI 004184, an acetone extract of lichen with the highest antimicrobial activity, on 6 type strains involved in dental caries and 10 strains isolated from dental caries resulted as follows; Actinomyces oris 1041 $12{\mu}g/ml$, for Corynebacterium durum 3151 $13{\mu}g/ml$, for Rothia dentocariosa KCTC $3204^T$ $14{\mu}g/ml$, for R. dentocariosa 911 $15{\mu}g/ml$, for R. dentocariosa 1822 $12{\mu}g/ml$, for Lacto-bacillus casei KACC $12413^T$ $12{\mu}g/ml$, for L. acidophilus KACC $12419^T$ $16{\mu}g/ml$, for L. rhamnosus 2421 $15{\mu}g/ml$, for Streptococcus mutans KCTC $3065^T$ $15{\mu}g/ml$, for S. mutans 121 $13{\mu}g/ml$, for Streptococcus oralis 2221 $18{\mu}g/ml$, for S. salivarius KCTC 5512 $14{\mu}g/ml$, for S. salivarius 122 $12{\mu}g/ml$, for S. sanguinis KCTC $3284^T$ $14{\mu}g/ml$, for S. sanguinis 912 $14{\mu}g/ml$, for Neisseria sp. KEM232 $12{\mu}g/ml$. Conclusions : Even a small amount of extract from lichen Usnea aurantiacoatra KoLRI 004184 showed very high level of antimicrobial activation against all 16 bacterial strains involved in dental caries.