Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Usnic Acid in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Usnic acid has anticancer and anti-inflammatory potential. In this study, we evaluated the effects of usnic acid on inflammation and oxidative stress in the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression, cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2 ) levels and oxidative stress were measured in all groups. Our study showed that usnic acid was decreased NO, VEGF, PGE 2 levels, gene expression levels of COX-2 and iNOS in the meantime cytokines (IL 2, CXCL 10, CXCL8, CCL2 (MCP-1), TNF-α, IL-6), glutathione levels, moreover decreased GSH and increased MDA levels in dose depended manner. According to our evidence usnic acid was showed potential cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and pro-oxidant role.