Red yeast rice stimulates osteoblast proliferation and increases alkaline phosphatase activity in MC3T3-E1 cells

Alternative lipid lowering strategies: State-of-the-art review of red yeast rice

Red yeast rice (RYR) is an entirely natural product that originates from the fermentation of white rice (Oryza sativa) with a yeast, mainly Monascus Purpureus, and has been part of traditional Chinese medicine and diet since ancient times. It has generated great interest in recent years in the context of cardiovascular (CV) prevention due to its ability to inhibit endogenous cholesterol production, helping to achieve and maintain optimal plasma lipid concentrations. This review aims to make an extensive 360-degree assessment and summary of the whole currently available scientific evidence about RYR, starting with its biochemical composition, passing through a historical reconstruction of all the studies that have evaluated its efficacy and safety in cholesterol-lowering action, with a focus on CV outcomes, and ultimately addressing its other relevant clinical effects. We also discuss its possible therapeutic role, alone or in combination with other nutraceuticals, in different clinical scenarios, taking into account the positions of major scientific documents on the issue, and describe the articulate legal controversies that have characterized the regulation of its use up to the present day. RYR preparations have been proven safe and effective in improving lipid profile, with a potential role in reducing cardiovascular risk. They can be considered as additional supportive agents in the armamentarium of lipid-modifying therapies.

A novel edible colorant lake prepared with CaCO3 and Monascus pigments: Lake characterization and mechanism study

Monascus pigments (MPs) were adsorbed using calcium carbonate to produce CaCO₃-MPs lakes. The fundamental properties and formation mechanism of the lakes were investigated. Results indicated that CaCO₃ displayed a high enough affinity for the MPs to form colorant lakes, while the MPs tended to transform the CaCO₃ crystals from calcite to vaterite. The adsorption of MPs by CaCO₃ followed the Freundlich isothermal model with n value higher than 1, confirming it as physical adsorption. The ΔG⁰ (-29 to ∼-33 kJ/mol) and ΔH⁰(30-55 kJ/mol) indicated that lake formation was a spontaneous and endothermic process. UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis verified the complex formation between Ca²⁺ and MPs via physical bonding, suggesting a possible attraction between the Ca²⁺ and glutamate residues of the MPs. EDS showed that the MPs were trapped inside the particles. FTIR spectroscopy and XPS further confirmed that the physical bonding was the primary driving force behind the lake formation.

Monascus spp. and citrinin: Identification, selection of Monascus spp. isolates, occurrence, detection and reduction of citrinin during the fermentation of red fermented rice

Red fermented rice (RFR) is rice fermented using Monascus spp. This product contains monacolin K, providing health benefits including mitigation of diarrhoea and improving blood circulation. RFR can produce pigments that can act as natural colour and flavouring agents. However, Monascus spp. (a fungal starter to ferment RFR) can also produce the mycotoxin, citrinin (CIT) which is believed to have adverse effects on human health. CIT in RFR has been reported worldwide by using different methods of detection. This review focuses on the production of RFR by solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF), the occurrence of CIT in RFR, CIT quantification, the factors affecting the growth of Monascus spp., pigments and CIT production in RFR, and possible methods to reduce CIT in RFR. This review will help the food industries, researchers, and consumers understand the risk of consuming RFR, and the possibility of controlling CIT in RFR.

Promotion of Bone Formation by Red Yeast Rice in Experimental Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To systematically evaluate the effects of red yeast rice (RYR) and its extract on bone formation in experimental animals and to provide reference data for clinical research on the treatment of osteoporosis.

Methods

Chinese and English language databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Elsevier, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu Chinese Sci-tech periodical full-text database (VIP), and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), were searched from their establishment to February 2020 using the following terms: “hongqu,” “red yeast rice,” “Monascus purpureus-fermented rice,” “bone mineral density,” “osteoblast,” “osteoporosis,” and “animal models.” After excluding nonrelevant articles, Review Manager 5.2 was used to evaluate article quality and to analyze the data. Outcome indicators included bone mineral density (BMD), osteoblast proliferation, and the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

Results

A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, all of which were animal studies. Six studies included data on BMD, five on osteoblast proliferation, and six on the expression of ALP. The results of the meta-analysis showed that RYR can significantly improve BMD (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41 to 4.83, P = 0.0003), promote osteoblast proliferation (SMD = 1.64, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.23, P < 0.00001), and increase ALP expression in rats (SMD = 1.25, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.80, P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

RYR can promote bone formation in experimental animals and may be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis.

The effects of dietary yeast hydrolysate on growth, hematology, antioxidant enzyme activities and non-specific immunity of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study was aimed to compare and evaluate the impacts of supplemented diets with different yeast hydrolysate (YH) levels on growth performance, body composition, hematological characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities, and non-specific immunity (intestinal cytokines) of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three isonitrogenous (protein, 33%) and isolipidic (lipid, 6%) experimental diets supplemented graded levels of YH (0% for control; 1% and 3% as tested diets) were fed to juvenile Nile tilapia. A total of 240 fish with initial body weight averaging 3.5 ± 0.02 g were randomly divided into three groups with four replicates per group and 20 fish for each replicate. For apparent satiation, the fish were fed twice daily during eight weeks. The results showed no significant difference in survival among all treatments. The fish fed the diet containing 1% yeast hydrolysate had significantly elevated weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to the control group and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). The fish fed 1% and 3% YH showed higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity and a significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver than the control group, indicating enhancement of the anti-oxidant status. Serum lysozyme activity was significantly increased in the diet having 1% and 3% yeast hydrolysate supplementation groups, suggesting an improvement influence on the non-specific immune response. The expression of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-β2, ALP and TLR2 was significantly elevated in fish fed the diet containing 1% YH. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1% yeast hydrolysate improves growth performance, and feed utilization enhances the antioxidant status and exerts an adequate stimulus on the non-specific immunity (intestinal cytokines) of Nile tilapia.

Red Yeast Rice: A Systematic Review of the Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Quality Control of an Important Chinese Folk Medicine

Red yeast rice (RYR), a Chinese traditional folk medicine produced by the fermentation of cooked rice kernels with a Monascaceae mold, Monascus purpureus, has long been used to treat blood circulation stasis, indigestion, diarrhea, and limb weakness in East Asian countries. This article provides a systematic review of the traditional uses, chemistry, biological activities, and toxicology of RYR to highlight its future prospects in the field of medicine. The literature reviewed for this article was obtained from the Web of Science, Elsevier, SciFinder, PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, as well as Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, published prior to July 2019. More than 101 chemical constituents have been isolated from RYR, mainly consisting of monacolins, pigments, organic acids, sterols, decalin derivatives, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other compounds. Crude extracts of RYR, as well as its isolated compounds, possess broad pharmacological properties with hypolipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-cancer, neurocytoprotective, anti-osteoporotic, anti-fatigue, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive activities. However, further studies are needed to characterize its diverse chemical constituents and the toxicological actions of the main bioactive compounds. New pharmacological trials addressing the overlooked traditional uses of RYR, such as in the treatment of indigestion and diarrhea, are required.

A comparatively study of menaquinone-7 isolated from Cheonggukjang with vitamin K1 and menaquinone-4 on osteoblastic cells differentiation and mineralization

The effect of menaquinone-7 isolated from cheonggukjang was comparatively investigated with vitamin K₁ and menaquinone-4 on cell differentiation and mineralization of the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Results indicated that all vitamin K species significantly increased MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, cellular alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin synthesis, and calcium deposition in a dose-dependent manner. Menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 had more potent effects on calcium deposition than vitamin K₁, and their effects were only partly reduced by warfarin (γ-carboxylation inhibitor) treatment, while warfarin abolished the induction activity of vitamin K₁ on calcification. This suggests that vitamin K₁ and K₂ (menaquinone-4 & menaquinone-7) may have different mechanisms in stimulating osteoblast mineralization. In addition, the mRNA expression ratio of osteoprotegerin and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand was also dramatically increased by treatment with vitamin K₁ (62%), menaquinone-4 (247%), and menaquinone-7 (329%), suggesting that vitamin K may suppress the formation of osteoclast by up-regulating the ratio of osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand in osteoblasts. These results provide compelling evidence that vitamin K₁, menaquinone-4, and menaquinone-7 all can promote bone health, which might be associated with elevations in the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand ratio.

In vitro cell response on CP-Ti surfaces functionalized with TGF-β1 inhibitory peptides

Osseointegration of implants is conversely related to the generation of a fibrous tissue capsule around the implant by the host environment. Although TGF-β1 plays many roles in regeneration processes, it is the cytokine to be mostly associated to the production of fibrotic tissue and thus, its inhibition has demonstrated to be beneficial to prevent several fibrotic reactions. Surface biofunctionalization enables the immobilization of biologically active molecules on an implant surface to tailor the biological response of the host. Here, we studied in vitro biological effects of biofunctionalized CP-Ti surfaces with a TGF-β1 inhibitor peptide, P144. A reliable biofunctionalization process that tethers P144 peptides to commercially pure titanium was developed. Differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts and fibroblasts on P144-functionalized and control surfaces was assessed at the gene expression and protein production levels. Results showed that P144-functionalized surfaces reduced expression and production of fibrotic differentiation markers and increased osteoblastic differentiation markers. Therefore, biofunctionalization of surfaces with TGF-β1 inhibitor peptides are an alternative promising strategy for inducing osseointegration around medical devices and implants.

Functional food red yeast rice (RYR) for metabolic syndrome amelioration: a review on pros and cons

Red yeast rice (RYR), the fermentation product of mold Monascus purpureus has been an integral part of Oriental food and traditional Chinese medicine, long before the discovery of their medicinal roles. With the identification of bioactive components as polyketide pigments (statins), and unsaturated fatty acids, RYR has gained a nutraceutical status. Hypercholesterolemic effect of this fermented compound has been validated and monacolin K has been recognized as the pivotal component in cholesterol alleviation. Functional similarity with commercial drug lovastatin sans the side effects has catapulted its popularity in other parts of the world as well. Apart from the hypotensive role, ameliorative benefits of RYR as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer and osteogenic agent have emerged, fueling intense research on it. Mechanistic studies have revealed their interaction with functional agents like coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, vitamin D, folic acid, policosanol, and berberine. On the other hand, concurrence of mycotoxin citrinin and variable content of statin has marred its integration in mainstream medication. In this disputable scenario, evaluation of the scopes and lacunae to overcome seems to contribute to an eminent area of healthcare. Red yeast rice (RYR), the rice-based fermentation product of mold Monascus purpureus is a functional food. Its bioactive component monacolin K acts like synthetic drug lovastatin, without the severe side effects of the latter. RYR has been validated to lower cholesterol, control high blood pressure; confer anti-flammation, hypoglycaemic, anticancer and osteogenic properties. However, dose inconsistency and co-occurrence of toxin citrinin hampers its dietary supplementation prospect. Further research might facilitate development of RYR as a nutraceutical.

Exploration of the effect of mmu-miR-142-5p on osteoblast and the mechanism

The objective of this study is to explore the effect of mmu-miR-142-5p on osteoblast and the mechanism. Neonatal New Zealand rabbits were selected to collect and culture primary osteoblasts after being killed. The agonists agomiR-142-5p, agomiR-NC and inhibitors antagomiR-142-5p, antagomiR-NC were transfected to establish mmu-miR-142-5p osteoblast model. 48 h after transfection, total RNA was extracted, ELISA was used to detect ALP level, Western Blot was used to detect HSP27 level, and RT-PCR was used to detect levels of RunX2 and OC. Rabbit osteoblasts showed triangle shape and grew adhering to the wall, cytoplasm extended and protruded. As the culture time prolonged, the cell volume was increased, and the amount showed exponential growth. After transfection, the abundance was significantly increased in agonist group and significantly decreased in inhibitor group, indicating that exogenous agonist can successfully up-regulate mmu-miR-142-5p level and exogenous inhibitor can down-regulate mmu-miR-142-5p level in osteoblast. Compared with control group, ALP level was significantly increased in agonist group and decreased in inhibitor group. Transfection of exogenous agonist can up-regulate HSP27 level in osteoblast, and transfection of exogenous inhibitor can decrease HSP27 level in osteoblast; however, there was no effect on HSP27 mRNA level. RunX2 mRNA and OC mRNA were significantly increased in agonist group and decreased in inhibitor group. Transfection of exogenous nucleic acid agomiR-142-5p can up-regulate the abundance and activity of mmu-miR-142-5p, and transfection of antagomiR-142-5p can down-regulate the abundance and activity of mmu-miR-142-5p, indicating that mmu-miR-142-5p can effectively helps the mineralization of osteoblast.

Human amnion mesenchymal stem cells promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Human amnion mesenchymal stem cells (HAMSCs) can be obtained from human amniotic membrane, a highly abundant and readily available tissue. HAMSC sources present fewer ethical issues, have low immunogenicity, anti-inflammatory properties, considerable advantageous characteristics, and are considered an attractive potential treatment material in the field of regenerative medicine. We used a co-culture system to determine whether HAMSCs could promote osteogenesis in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs). We isolated HAMSCs from discarded amnion samples and collected them using pancreatin/collagenase digestion. We cultured HAMSCs and HBMSCSs in basal medium. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an early osteogenesis marker, was increased in the co-culture system compared to the control single cultures, which we also confirmed by ALP staining. We used immunofluorescence testing to investigate the effects of co-culturing with HAMSCs on HBMSC proliferation, which revealed that the co-culturing enhanced EdU expression in HBMSCs. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR indicated that co-culturing promoted osteogenesis in HBMSCs. Furthermore, Alizarin red S staining revealed that extracellular matrix calcium levels in mineralized nodule formation produced by the co-cultures were higher than that in the controls. Using the same co-culture system, we further observed the effects of HAMSCs on osteogenic differentiation in primary osteoblasts by Western blotting, which better addressed the mechanism for HAMSCs in bone regeneration. The results showed HAMSCs are osteogenic and not only play a role in promoting HBMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation but also in osteoblasts, laying the foundation for new regenerative medicine methods.

Laxative effects of fermented rice extract in rats with loperamide-induced constipation

Constipation is a common problem in males and females. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the laxative effects of fermented rice extract (FRe) on rats with loperamide-induced constipation. FRe (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally once per day for six days following 1 h loperamide treatment. The laxative effects of FRe were compared with those of sodium picosulfate (S. picosulfate). Following the induction of constipation in the rats, a marked decrease was observed in the fecal pellet number and water content discharged over 24 h, the surface mucus thickness in the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, thickness of the colonic mucosa and the number of mucus-producing cells, while an increase was observed in the number of fecal pellets remaining in the colonic lumen and their mean diameter, as compared with the normal vehicle control rats. These conditions were significantly alleviated following the administration of the three doses of FRe when compared with the loperamide control group. However, the alleviating effects were lower than those of S. picosulfate, with the exception of the intestinal charcoal transit ratio. Similar effects on the intestinal charcoal transit ratio were detected for the three doses of FRe when compared with the S. picosulfate-treated rats. In conclusion, the results indicated that FRe exhibits a laxative effect without causing diarrhea, as compared with sodium picosulfate; thus, FRe may be effective as a complementary medicine in patients suffering from lifestyle-induced constipation.

Yam (Dioscorea batatas) Root and Bark Extracts Stimulate Osteoblast Mineralization by Increasing Ca and P Accumulation and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

Yam (Dioscorea batatas) is widely consumed as functional food for health promotion mainly in East Asia countries. We assessed whether yam root (tuber) or bark (peel) extracts stimulated the activity of osteoblasts for osteogenesis. MC3T3-E1 cells (mouse osteoblasts) were treated with yam root extracts (water or methanol) (study I) or bark extracts (water or hexane) (study II) within 0~10 μg/mL during the periods of osteoblast proliferation (5~10 day), matrix maturation (11~15 day) and mineralization (16~20 day) as appropriate. In study I, both yam root water and methanol extracts increased cell proliferation as concentration-dependent manner. Cellular collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, both the indicators of bone matrix protein and inorganic phosphate production for calcification respectively, were also increased by yam root water and methanol extract. Osteoblast calcification as cell matrix Ca and P accumulation was also increased by the addition of yam root extracts. In study II, yam bark extracts (water and hexane) increased osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, as collagen synthesis and ALP activity and osteoblast matrix Ca and P deposition. The study results suggested that both yam root and bark extracts stimulate osteogenic function in osteoblasts by stimulating bone matrix maturation by increasing collagen synthesis, ALP activity, and matrix mineralization.

Combining human periodontal ligament cell membrane chromatography with online HPLC/MS for screening osteoplastic active compounds from Coptidis Rhizoma

We have developed an online analytical method that combines human periodontal ligament cell membrane chromatography (hPDLC/CMC) with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for recognizing and identifying osteoplastic active components from Coptidis Rhizoma. Retention fractions on hPDLC/CMC were enriched onto an enrichment column and the components were directly analyzed by combining a 10-port column switcher with an LC/MS system for separation and preliminary identification. Using simvastatin (SIM) as a positive control, berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma was identified as the active component which could act on the hPDLC. The MTT colorimetric assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and staining tests revealed that berberine could promote hPDLC growth, increase the secretion of ALP in the culture medium, and enhance the formation of mineralized nodule, thus it is a potential osteoplastic ingredient. This hPDLC/CMC-online-LC/MS method can be applied for screening active components acting on hPDLC from traditional Chinese medicines exemplified by Coptidis Rhizoma and will be of great utility in drug discovery using natural medicinal herbs as a source of leading compounds.

Sanguis Draconis resin stimulates osteoblast alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sanguis Draconis (SD), "Dragon's Blood", is a resin that is obtained from Daemonorops draco (Palmae). Used in traditional medicine, it has shown activity in the prevention of osteoporosis as well as promoting the healing of bone fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the effects of Sanguis Dranonis ethanol extract on β-glycerolphosphate and ascorbic acid induced differentiation using mouse calvaria origin MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells was examined. We looked at osteoblast differentiation, proliferation, and mineralization by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and specific bone marker activities. Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in various concentrations of SD ethanol extract (0.005-1mg/mL) during the osteoblast differentiation period (1, 5, 15, and 25 days).

RESULTS

As measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, SD extracts increased cell proliferation as compared to control. The most pronounced effect was observed at the concentration range between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL (P<0.01). This SD stimulatory effect for cell proliferation was observed during the whole osteogenic period. Cellular (synthesized) ALP activity was increased during 15 days of culture, and was confirmed by the staining of ALP activity on cell matrix layers for matrix calcification. SD stimulatory effect for cell mineralization we observed in 14 and 21 days. Elevated mRNA or protein levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP 2), the differentiation marker osteocalcin, osteopontin, collgen I, and a master osteogenic transcription factor, Runx2, were observed in SD-treated cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that SD may increase osteogenic effect by stimulating cell ALP activity and affect the BMP signaling pathway cascades in osteoblastic cells, then promotes osteoblast differentiation, mineralization, and bone formation.

A Review and Update of Red Yeast Rice

Dyslipidemia is a growing concern causing significant morbidity and mortality. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of individuals developing heart disease, stroke, and other disease states. Dietary modification is the initial approach for treatment, but many patients require statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors) to reduce cardiovascular risk. Unfortunately, a number of patients cannot tolerate statins, leading to practitioners searching for alternative regimens. One alternative that has been extensively studied is red yeast rice ( Monascus purpureus), a dietary supplement. In patients with dyslipidemia, red yeast rice was efficacious and safe for short-term use (<16 weeks). Red yeast rice has also been studied head to head with statins and was shown to be noninferior in reducing cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Because of the positive clinical effects seen in dyslipidemia, researchers have begun to study its use in other disease states.