A10 Secondary Metabolites · Depsidone · Stereocaulon alpinum

Lobaric Acid Anti-inflammatory Line

Published inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 7.3 µM) and platelet 12(S)-LOX, suppression of NF-κB/MAPK signalling in macrophages, and G2/M arrest with apoptosis in HeLa and HCT116 cells.

Book a 30-minute discovery call Request the data package

Evidence: Published literature · in vitro
Stage: Pilot on request
Indicative: Price on requestnegotiable by scope and application

Chemical structure of lobaric acid — Lobaric Acid — structural formula

Scientific summary

Lobaric acid is a depsidone carrying aliphatic side chains that increase its lipophilicity. This structural trait supports membrane permeability and interaction with lipid-converting enzymes, consistent with its published activity on the lipoxygenase and NF-κB inflammatory axes.

Biological rationale as published

Inflammation / lipid mediators. Lobaric acid inhibited arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase with an IC50 of 7.3 µM and showed approximately four-fold selectivity for 5-lipoxygenase versus cyclooxygenase.
Platelet lipoxygenase. A cell-based human platelet study reported dose-dependent inhibition of platelet 12(S)-lipoxygenase, with IC50 28.5 µM.
NF-κB / MAPK. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, lobaric acid reduced nitric oxide, COX-2/PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6 and inhibited MAPK/NF-κB activation.
PPAR-γ. A separate study reported NF-κB inhibition and cytokine suppression, with docking/inhibition evidence consistent with interaction with PPAR-γ.
Anticancer. HeLa and HCT116 studies reported dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition, G2/M arrest, apoptosis, decreased Bcl-2 and increased cleaved PARP.
Antioxidant. Published chemical assays reported superoxide-radical scavenging, although results depend strongly on assay and concentration.

Applications

Anti-inflammatory activity
Antiproliferative activity
Cytotoxicity
Antioxidant activity

Assays & readouts available

MTT cell viability; cytotoxicity assay
Apoptosis assay
12(S)-LOX (lipoxygenase inhibition) and cyclooxygenase assays
NF-κB / MAPK pathway activation assays; NLRP3-related inflammatory study
PPAR-γ binding assays

Specification

Compound class	Depsidone (lichen secondary metabolite)
Biological source	Stereocaulon alpinum and Stereocaulon paschale
Evidence status	In vitro studies across enzyme, immune-cell and cancer-cell systems (published by external groups)
Molecular formula	C₂₅H₂₈O₈ · MW 456.5 g/mol
Typical pilot	Bioactivity pilot 4–8 weeks, or custom research pilot 8–12 weeks
Engagement	Feasibility scan · pilot · licensing · co-development
Indicative price	Price on request, negotiable by scope and application

Publications

Inhibitory effects of the lichen metabolite lobaric acid on arachidonate metabolism in vitro. — PubMed 23194623
Anti-proliferative lichen compounds with inhibitory activity on 12(S)-HETE production in human platelets. — PubMed 15636173
Anti-inflammatory activity of lobaric acid via suppressing NF-κB/MAPK pathways or NLRP3 inflammasome activation. — PubMed 30452073
Carpentier C et al. Lobaric acid and pseudodepsidones inhibit NF-κB signaling pathway by activation of PPAR-γ. Bioorg Med Chem 2018. — PubMed 30420328
Hong JM et al. Anti-Cancer Activity of Lobaric Acid and Lobarstin Extracted from the Antarctic Lichen Stereocaulon alpinum. Molecules 2018. — PMC6017138

All published findings for this compound are in vitro. They are not evidence of clinical efficacy, safety in humans, or regulatory status, and we do not present them as such.

What happens next

Book a call or send an inquiry. Tell us the target, the application and the timeline.
We answer within three working days — including when the answer is that we cannot help.
NDA before disclosure, if you need one. Tick the box on the form.
Feasibility scan or pilot proposal with a defined scope, deliverable and price.

Book a 30-minute discovery call Send an inquiry

Common questions

How does an engagement start?

With a free 30-minute discovery call. We establish whether there is a fit and what the right next step is. Nothing is committed at that point.

Can we sign an NDA before we describe our project?

Yes. Tick the NDA box on the inquiry form and we arrange it before any disclosure.

Are the prices on this site binding?

No. They are indicative ranges so that you can size a project before contacting us. Final terms are negotiated per scope.

How quickly do you reply?

Every inquiry is acknowledged within one working day and answered by the responsible group leader within three.

What happens if you cannot help?

We say so, early, and where we can we point you to someone who can. A negative feasibility answer delivered quickly is a useful result.

Related in Secondary Metabolites

A82026 publication

Depside · Sphaerophorus fragilis

Sphaerophorin Anthelmintic Line

The most active of 17 lichen metabolites against C. elegans in our 2026 study (LC50 22.07 µM). Earlier work adds melanoma-cell growth inhibition with caspase-3 activation and protection of DNA from radical damage.

Evidence: Peer-reviewed 2026 · in vitro
Stage: Pilot on request
Indicative: Price on requestnegotiable by scope and application

View details Discuss this

A92026 publication

Depside · Evernia mesomorpha, Ophioparma ventosa

Divaricatic Acid Antimicrobial & Antiparasitic Line

Gram-positive antibacterial activity including MRSA, schistosomicidal activity against adult S. mansoni, and the second-strongest nematocidal hit (LC50 77.27 µM) in our 2026 panel.

Evidence: Peer-reviewed 2026 + literature · in vitro
Stage: Pilot on request
Indicative: Price on requestnegotiable by scope and application

View details Discuss this

A11

β-Orcinol depsidone · Usnea, Xanthoparmelia

Stictic Acid Antioxidant Line

A β-orcinol depsidone with published radical-scavenging (DPPH, superoxide), apoptotic activity in primary hepatocytes and antimicrobial data — and a chemically measurable HPLC reference metabolite.

Evidence: Published literature · in vitro
Stage: Pilot on request
Indicative: Price on requestnegotiable by scope and application

View details Discuss this

Tell us what you are trying to achieve.

A free 30-minute call establishes whether there is a fit and what the right next step is. Every inquiry is acknowledged within one working day and answered by the responsible group leader within three.

Book a 30-minute discovery call Send an inquiry instead