• Mycobiology
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• 제41권3호
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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.

• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.887-896
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• 2015

본 연구는 균핵병의 원인균인 Sclerotinia sclerotiorum에 대해 항균활성을 갖는 친환경 유기농자재를 개발할 목적으로 송라(Usnea longissima)로부터 활성물질을 분리하였다. 송라를 MeOH로 추출하여 용매분획을 하였고, 용매분획 중에서 강한 활성을 나타낸 $CHCl_3$ fraction을 column chromatography로 분리하여 40개의 subfractions을 얻었고 9개의 그룹으로 나누었다. 9개의 subfractions을 bioassay한 결과 G3 subfraction에서 강한 활성을 나타내었다. G3 subfraction을 GC-MS로 분석하여 chromatogram 상의 활성물질로 추정되는 peak의 mass spectrum과 Wiley library를 비교하여 profiling한 결과, Usnic acid가 주요 물질로 검출되었다. 항균활성물질로 추정되는 Usnic acid 화합물의 항균활성을 검정하기 위하여 표준품을 사용하여 생물검정한 결과 이 화합물이 강한 활성을 나타내었다. 따라서 송라로부터 분리한 Usnic acid가 균핵병의 원인균인 Sclerotinia sclerotiorum에 대한 항균 활성물질인 것으로 추정하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권12호
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• pp.978-986
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• 2023

선천면역체계에 의한 염증은 감염에 의해 매개되는 환경적 위험 요인에 대한 보호 메커니즘이며 암 발병을 포함한 다양한 인간 질병의 발병 원인이기도 하다. 지의류는 다양한 질병을 치료할 수 있는 가능성을 지닌 다양한 생체 활성분자를 가지고 있다는 측면에서 점점 더 주목받고 있다. 이끼류의 2차 대사산물이 지닌 항산화, 항염증 그리고 항암 활성에 대해서 널리 보고되었지만 아직까지 구체적인 메커니즘은 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 남극 지의류 Usnea aurantiaco-atra의 메탄올 추출물에 대한 항염증 및 항암 활성의 분자적 메커니즘을 조사하고자 하였다. 본 연구결과에 의하면 메탄올 추출물은 COX-2, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α 및 NO 생성과 같은 주요 염증 지표들에 대해 농도 의존적으로 조절함으로써 항염증 활성을 나타냈다. 또한, 추출물이 농도 의존적으로 HCT116 결장암 세포에 대해 세포독성 활성을 가지며, caspase-3 활성화에 의한 세포사멸 유도를 통해 암세포의 증식을 현저히 감소시키는 것을 관찰했다. 이 연구에서 남극 이끼류인 Usnea aurantiaco-atra의 메탄올 추출물이 항염증과 항암 활성을 갖는다는 사실을 처음으로 보였으며 이러한 결과는 염증과 암 사이의 연관성을 뒷받침하는 분자 메커니즘에 대한 새로운 통찰력을 보여준다.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제45권6호
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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.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

순천대학교 지의류생물 소재은행(KOLABIC)에서 100종의 지의류 내생 곰팡이를 분양 받아 C. albicans에 대한 항진균 활성을 조사하였다. 고체배지 및 액체배지에 배양시 Usnea rigidula, Parmotrema pseudotinctorum 그리고 Myelochroa sp.가 높은 항진균 활성을 나타내는 물질을 생성함을 알 수 있었다. 이들 3종 지의류 내생 곰팡이의 배양액을 chloroform, ethyl acetate 용매 순으로 추출하고 disc diffusion method를 이용하여 각 추출물의 C. albicans에 대한 항진균 활성도를 측정한 결과 모두 chloroform 추출물에서 높은 활성이 가장 높았으며, 다음으로 ethyl acetate 추출물이 높은 활성을 나타냈다. 항진균성 물질이 기존에 알려진 물질인지에 대한 정보를 알기위해 6 일 동안 배양한 Usnea rigidula와 4일 동안 배양한 Parmotrema pseudotinctorum의 chloroform 추출액에 대하여 HPLC, $C_{18}$ column으로 분리하여 Usnea rigidula (2326)의 6일과 Parmotrema pseudotinctorum (2202)의 4일 배양액에서 각각 2 개의 peak 분획물을 얻었다. 각 분획물을 농축한 후 96 well plate를 이용하여 C. albicans와 C. glabrata에 대한 항진균 활성을 실험한 결과, Parmotrema pseudotinctorum의 주요peak는 control에 비해 항진균 활성이 높게 나타났으며 활성물질은 usnic acid계열의 화합물로 추정되었다.

• Mycobiology
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• 제42권1호
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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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• 제38권4호
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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.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.37-48
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• 2024

송라(Usnea diffracta Vain.)는 송라속(Usnea)에 속하는 지의류 중 하나이며, 이전 연구에서 항산화, 항균, 항염, 항종양 및 심혈관 보호 등의 약리학적 활성이 보고되어 있으나 피부 및 모발에서의 효능은 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 세포 수준에서 송라 추출물(UDE)의 항노화 및 모유두세포 증식에 대한 효과를 검증하였다. 실험 결과, 송라 추출물은 인간 섬유아세포에서 UVA에 의해 증가된 MMP-1의 발현 및 상위기전인 MAPKs (ERK, p38, JNK)와 AP-1 (c-Fos, c-Jun)의 활성을 유의적으로 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한, 송라 추출물은 인간 모유두세포의 증식을 유의하게 증가시켰으며, 모발 성장인자인 VEGF 및 KGF의 mRNA 발현을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 이로 인하여, 모발 증식 및 성장인자의 발현에 관여하는 ERK/CREB의 인산화를 농도 의존적으로 증가시켰다. 송라 추출물의 주성분 확인을 위해 송라 추출물을 농축 후 Prep-LC를 이용하여 main peak로 나타난 분획을 분리 정제하였고, NMR 및 Mess 분석을 통해 diffractaic acid로 동정하였다. Diffractaic acid는 인간 섬유아세포에서 UVA에 의해 증가된 MMP-1의 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, 인간 모유두세포의 증식을 농도 의존적으로 증가시켰다. 이를 통해 송라 추출물은 항노화 및 모유두세포 활성 증가 효능을 갖는 화장품 천연소재로서의 활용 가능성을 입증하였다.

• 생체재료학회지
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• 제22권4호
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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.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제12권1호
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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.