A9 Secondary Metabolites · Depside · Evernia mesomorpha · 2026 publication

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.

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

Chemical structure of divaricatic acid — Divaricatic Acid — structural formula

Scientific summary

Divaricatic acid is a depside consisting of two substituted hydroxybenzoic acid rings linked by an ester bond. It is reported from multiple lichens, including Evernia mesomorpha, Ophioparma ventosa and Ramalina species. The literature supports several distinct bioactivity directions: Gram-positive antibacterial activity, antiproliferative activity in melanoma cell models, schistosomicidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni, and anthelmintic activity.

Biological rationale as published

Antimicrobial. Purified divaricatic acid inhibited several Gram-positive organisms, including S. aureus (MRSA), S. epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis; antifungal activity against Candida albicans was also reported.
Antiproliferative. Melanoma-cell studies reported concentration-dependent growth inhibition.
Antiparasitic. Against adult S. mansoni, divaricatic acid altered motility and caused mortality and marked tegumental/ultrastructural damage; no cytotoxicity was observed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in that study.
Anthelmintic. C. elegans work found strong survival loss and concentration-dependent mortality (LC50 77.27 µM). SAR analysis suggested that an intact depside, an aliphatic chain and a carboxylic group contribute to activity across the 17-compound panel.

Applications

Antimicrobial discovery and Gram-positive antibacterial screening
Antiparasitic / anthelmintic lead discovery (C. elegans, Schistosoma)
Comparative antiproliferative screening in melanoma cell lines
Structure–activity relationship studies of lichen depsides

Assays & readouts available

MTT / cell viability, LDH release
ROS assay; Comet (DNA damage) assay
Western blotting
Melanoma cell assay; CCD-18Co cell culture
HPLC and NMR; SAR analysis

Specification

Compound class	Depside (lichen secondary metabolite)
Biological source	Evernia mesomorpha, Ophioparma ventosa, Ramalina spp. and other lichens
Evidence status	Peer-reviewed in vitro evidence across antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antiparasitic and anthelmintic activity
Molecular formula	C₂₁H₂₄O₇ · MW 388.4 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

Frenák R, Vaneková Z, Lager S, Medvecová V, Kello M, Rollinger JM, Goga M. Lichens as a Source of Nematocidal Compounds: Identification of Sphaerophorin and Divaricatic Acid Active against Caenorhabditis elegans. ACS Omega 2026. — doi:10.1021/acsomega.6c05106
Schistosomicidal effect of divaricatic acid against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Acta Tropica 2021. — PubMed 34273313
Antimicrobial Activity of Divaricatic Acid Isolated from the Lichen Evernia mesomorpha against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Molecules 2018. — PubMed 30477128
Cytotoxic evaluation of phenolic compounds from lichens against melanoma cells. Chem Pharm Bull 2013. — PubMed 23207680

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.

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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.

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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