We found the following: 1) the acetone extract of F. cucullata and its subcomponent, usnic acid, exert selective cytotoxicity on cancer cells through inducing apoptosis at lethal concentrations; 2) the extract of F. cucullata and usnic acid inhibit tumorigenesis and motility of cancer cells at sub-lethal concentrations; 3) the extract of F. cucullata and usnic acid suppress EMT and inhibit Akt phosphorylation; and 4) the anti-cancer activity of the extract is more potent than that of usnic acid alone. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is cancer.