Potential of Usnic Acid Compound from Lichen Genus Usnea sp. as Antidiabetic Agents

Abstract

Lichen Usnea sp. is potential as a new natural medicine. This study report isolation of secondary metabolites from lichen Usnea sp. and α-glucosidase inhibitory, which is potential as an antidiabetic agent. Lichen powder was macerated using methanol, separated using column chromatography gravity and thinlayer chromatography. The crystalline was isolated and purified by the recrystallization process for obtaining pure compound. The isolated compound was determined using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy (1H and13C). The results showed that the isolated compound was yellow needle crystals. Based on the spectra data interpretation, it was obtained usnic acid compound with the molecular formula of C18H16O7. The αglucosidase inhibitory activity test showed that the usnic acid had activity in inhibiting the α-glucosidase enzyme with an IC50 value of 106.78 µg/mL. The usnic acid from Usnea sp. has a very good impact on the source of natural compounds as an antidiabetic drug in the future.