Radiosensitizer effect of usnic acid on Biomphalaria glabrata embryos

Purpose: Some phytochemicals have shown the potential of being radiomodifiers, especially phenolic compounds, such as lichenic secondary metabolites. To evaluate the phytochemical usnic acid as a radiomodifier, embryonic cells of molluscs have been used due to their ease of collection, high sensitivity to physical and chemical agents, well-known embryology and low cost for analysis. Materials and methods: This study aimed to assess the radiosensitizing action of usnic acid on Biomphalaria glabrata embryos. Samples were irradiated with 4 Gy of gamma rays from a Co-60 source (dose rate 2.906 Gy/h). An acute toxicity test was performed using B. glabrata embryos in the blastula stage, in order to determine the toxicity of usnic acid and to establish the lethal Concentration for 50% (LC50). Subsequently, the radiomodifing capacity of usnic acid was estimated using assays with B. glabrata embryos. Results: Irradiation increased the number of non-viable embryos compared to unirradiated controls. Additionally, it was observed that embryos exposed to a non-toxic concentration of usnic acid (0.6 mu g/mL) before irradiation showed a further enhancement in non-viable embryos when compared with exposure to ionizing radiation alone. Conclusion: The results presented here indicate that usnic acid makes cells more sensitive to the damaging effects of radiation.