Protector potential of usnic acid against neoplastic lesions induced by 1,2 dimethylhydrazine in rats colon

• Grant number: 16/23145-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Andrade Furtado
• Grantee: Lucas Henrique Domingos da Silva
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer is the first cause of death in economically developed countries and the second leading cause of death in developing countries. Currently there is a wide range of bioactive natural compounds with pharmacological potential in the market. 17,000 are known lichens species and lichens hundreds of species are used in folk medicine, being the most studied secondary metabolite is usnic acid. This substance has biological activities as antitumor, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal and antihistamine. In the search for new substances with biological potential has emerged different methodologies and the knowledge of aberrant crypt foci biology and its value in identifying modulators of colon carcinogenesis has expanded. So, the aberrant crypt foci has been widely used since the growth, morphological and molecular characteristics of aberrant crypt foci supports the assertion that are preneoplastic lesions. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of usnic acid on preneoplastic lesions in the rats colon. Therefore, the toxicity of usnic acid will be evaluated by biochemical assays and clinical signs. To assess the modulator potential the preneoplastic lesions are induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and the animals will be treated daily with different doses of usnic acid for four weeks. Thus, this work will contribute to a better understanding of usnic acid action in the human body, providing a more effective and safe use in future clinical applications. (AU)