Vulpinic acid is a lichen metabolite that has been found in L. vulpina and has diverse biological activities. It is active against C. perfringens, B. vulgatus, B. fragilis, B. loescheii, P. acnes, E. faecium, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S. aureus (MICs = 4-16 μg/ml). Vulpinic acid (25-800 μM) prevents UVB-induced apoptosis, cytotoxicity, and cytoskeletal modifications in HaCaT human keratinocytes. It also increases scratch wound healing of HaCaT cells. Vulpinic acid (15 μM) reduces hydrogen peroxide-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
