Red mold dioscorea has a greater antihypertensive effect than traditional red mold rice in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Production of GABA-enriched idli with ACE inhibitory and antioxidant properties using Aspergillus oryzae: the antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study aimed to develop a fermented food (idli) with enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties using a GABA-producing fungus.

Multifaceted Applications of Microbial Pigments: Current Knowledge, Challenges and Future Directions for Public Health Implications

Microbial oddities such as versatile pigments are gaining more attention in current research due to their widely perceived applications as natural food colorants, textiles, antimicrobial activities, and cytotoxic activities. This indicates that the future generation will depend on microbial pigments over synthetic colorants for sustainable livelihood. Although several reviews have detailed the comprehensive applications of microbial pigments extensively, knowledge on several aspects of pigmented microbes is apparently missing and not properly reviewed anywhere. Thus, this review has been made to provide overall knowledge on biodiversity, distribution, pathogenicity, and ecological and industrial applications of microbial pigments as well as their challenges and future directions for food, industrial, and biomedical applications. Meticulously, this compendious review treatise on the pigments from bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and microalgae includes reports from the 1970s to 2018. A total of 261 pigment compounds produced by about 500 different microbial species are included, and their bioactive nature is described.

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea protects mice against alcohol-induced liver injury, whereas its metabolites ankaflavin and monascin regulate ethanol-induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 expression in HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND

Alcoholic hepatitis is a necroinflammatory process that is associated with fibrosis and leads to cirrhosis in 40% of cases. The hepatoprotective effects of red mold dioscorea (RMD) from Monascus purpureus NTU 568 were evaluated in vivo using a mouse model of chronic alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD).

RESULTS

ALD mice were orally administered vehicle (ALD group) or vehicle plus 307.5, 615.0 or 1537.5 mg kg^-1 (1 ×, 2 × and 5 ×) RMD for 5 weeks. RMD lowered serum leptin, hepatic total cholesterol, free fatty acid and hepatic triglyceride levels and increased serum adiponectin, hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, ankaflavin (AK) and monascin (MS), metabolites of RMD fermented with M. purpureus 568, induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression and the concomitant suppression of ethanol-induced elevation of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 and TG in HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate the hepatoprotective effect of Monascus-fermented RMD. Moreover, AK and MS were identified as the active constituents of RMD for the first time and were shown to protect against ethanol-induced liver damage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Four new monacolin analogs from Monascus purpureus-fermented rice

Four new monacolin analogs, monacolin T (1), monacolin U (2) 6a-O-methyl-4,6-dihydromonacolin L (3), and 6a-O-ethyl-4,6-dihydromonacolin L (4) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Monascus purpureus-fermented rice. Their structures were determined by a combination of 1D, 2D NMR experiments (¹H-¹HCOSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY), and mass spectrometry. In vitro cytotoxic assay, all compounds were inactive at the concentration of 10 µM.

Monascus purpureus induced apoptosis on gastric cancer cell by scavenging mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

Monascus purpureus is a red dye derived from yeast rice and has been used as color additives for food in East Asia. Monascus purpureus consists of several bioactive components. Some of these components work as a radical scavenger, thus monascus purpureus would also eliminate reactive oxygen species. Cancer cells maintain the high level of reactive oxygen species than normal cell and are death by imbalance in pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. In this study, we investigated whether monascus purpureus induced cancer specific cell death by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Compared to normal cell, monascus purpureus had cancer specific cytotoxicity. Monascus purpureus and lovastatin, its component, scavenged free radicals caused by a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, thus Monascus purpureus is likely to scavenge reactive oxygen species by a synergistic effect between lovastatin and other components. Monascus purpureus also decreased reactive oxygen species derived from mitochondria in cancer cells, and cellular apoptosis was induced via activation of caspase-9. Induction of apoptosis by reduction of reactive oxygen species generation decreased acid ceramidase, and this mechanism could be involved with increasing ceramide accumulation in cells.

A randomized, double-blind clinical study to determine the effect of ANKASCIN 568 plus on blood glucose regulation

Diabetes is the fourth major cause of death in Taiwan. High blood glucose can lead to macrovascular diseases,small vessel diseases (retinopathy, kidney disease), and neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate whether Monascus-fermented products (ANKASCIN 568 plus) can regulate blood glucose and blood lipids. This study enrolled 39 patients with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL, and a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of <9%. All patients were randomly divided into placebo (n = 20) and experimental (n = 19) groups. Each patient received two placebo capsules (maltodextrin) or ANKASCIN 568 plus capsules daily for 12 weeks. The patients were screened during follow-up 4 weeks after the administration of sample or placebo had been discontinued. Blood and urine samples were collected at the initial, 6^th week, 12^th week, and 16^th week. The anthropometric indicators of blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose level, postprandial plasma glucose level, insulin level, insulin resistance, blood lipid changes, and liver, kidney, and thyroid function indices were measured. After 6weeks, changes in fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),and total cholesterol (TC) levels showed thatANKASCIN568 plus had amore favorable effect than the placebo. Compared to baseline, a statistically significant decrease of 8.5%, 10.3%, and 7.5% was observed in fasting blood glucose, LDL-C and, TC levels, respectively (p < 0.05 for all pairs). Therefore, ANKASCIN568 plus produced by Monascus purpureus NTU 568 fermentation may be a potentially useful agent for the regulation of blood glucose and blood lipids and for treatment of coronary artery diseases.

Dimerumic Acid and Deferricoprogen Activate Ak Mouse Strain Thymoma/Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathways and Prevent Apoptotic Cell Death in 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced SH-SY5Y Cells

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which can be modeled using the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to generate oxidative stress. Here, we studied the effects of the antioxidants deferricoprogen (DFC) and dimerumic acid (DMA), produced by rice fermented with Monascus purpureus NTU 568, on 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells and their potential protective mechanisms. DMA and DFC inhibited 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Molecular analysis demonstrated associated upregulation of the Ak mouse strain thymoma (Akt), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways along with inhibited phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 pathways and altered homodimeric glycoprotein, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and immunoglobulin Fc receptor gene expression. These results suggested that the neuroprotection elicited by DMA and DFC against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity was associated with the Akt, MAPK, and HO-1 pathways via regulating the gene expression of NMDA receptor, homodimeric glycoprotein, and immunoglobulin Fc receptor.

Neuroprotective effects of dimerumic acid and deferricoprogen from Monascus purpureus NTU 568-fermented rice against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in differentiated pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells

Context Oxidative stress plays a key role in neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Rice fermented with Monascus purpureus Went (Monascaceae) NTU 568 (red mould rice) was found to contain antioxidants, including dimerumic acid (DMA) and deferricoprogen (DFC). Objective The effects of DMA and DFC on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cytotoxicity and potential protective mechanisms in differentiated PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells were investigated. Materials and methods DMA (0-60 μM) or DFC (0-10 μM) was co-treated with 6-OHDA (200 μM, 24 h exposure) in differentiated PC-12 cells. Cell viability and intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation analysis and propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of cell protein expression. Results DMA and DFC significantly increased cell viability to 72% and 81% in 6-OHDA-induced differentiated PC-12 cell cultures, respectively. Furthermore, DMA and DFC reduced 6-OHDA-induced formation of extracellular and intercellular ROS by 25% and 20%, respectively, and decreased NADPH oxidase-2 expression in differentiated PC-12 cells. DMA and DFC inhibited 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis and decreased activation of caspase-3 via regulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and Bcl-2 protein expression in differentiated PC-12 cells. Conclusion DMA and DFC may protect against 6-OHDA toxicity by inhibiting ROS formation and apoptosis. These results showed that the metabolites from M. purpureus NTU 568 fermentation were potential therapeutic agents for PD induced by oxidative damage and should be encouraged for further research.

Microbiota associated with the starter cultures and brewing process of traditional Hong Qu glutinous rice wine

Hong Qu glutinous rice wine (produced mainly in Fujian province, China) is a traditional alcoholic beverage, which is prepared by fermenting cooked rice using a starter containing Monascus purpureus. In this review, the microbial diversity of fermentation starters from Fujian province, including fungi, bacteria, and yeast, is analyzed in comparison with those of "nuruk" (a traditional starter for making alcoholic beverages in Korea). The bacterial organization of Hong Qu starters was vastly variable in species composition and dominated by Bacillus sp. Lactic acid bacteria were also found in some starters. In case of fungi, Monascus sp. was dominant, whereas non-Saccharomyces yeast such as Saccharomycopsis fibuligera was detected. The microorganisms found in the nuruk starter are, in general, not significantly diverse compared with those found in the Hong Qu starter, with the exception of Monascus sp.; however, Hong Qu and nuruk both contain their own unique microbiota, which are quite diverse from each other.

The ameliorative effect of Monascus purpureus NTU 568-fermented rice extracts on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and the rat model of Parkinson's disease

TheMonascus purpureusNTU 568-fermented rice extract contains antioxidants DMA and DFC, and it could reduce behavioral, neuronal, and biochemical characteristics in 6-OHDA-lesion rats.

Antioxidation, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activity, nattokinase, and antihypertension of Bacillus subtilis (natto)-fermented pigeon pea

Because of the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Asian countries, traditional fermented foods from Asia have been increasingly investigated for antiatherosclerotic effects. This study investigated the production of nattokinase, a serine fibrinolytic enzyme, in pigeon pea by Bacillus subtilis fermentation. B. subtilis 14714, B. subtilis 14715, B. subtilis 14716, and B. subtilis 14718 were employed to produce nattokinase. The highest nattokinase activity in pigeon pea was obtained using B. subtilis 14715 fermentation for 32 hours. In addition, the levels of antioxidants (phenolics and flavonoids) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity were increased in B. subtilis 14715-fermented pigeon pea, compared with those in nonfermented pigeon pea. In an animal model, we found that both water extracts of pigeon pea (100 mg/kg body weight) and water extracts of B. subtilis-fermented pigeon pea (100 mg/kg body weight) significantly improved systolic blood pressure (21 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (30 mmHg) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. These results suggest that Bacillus-fermented pigeon pea has benefits for cardiovascular health and can be developed as a new dietary supplement or functional food that prevents hypertension.

The ctnG gene encodes carbonic anhydrase involved in mycotoxin citrinin biosynthesis from Monascus aurantiacus

Citrinin, a fungal secondary metabolite of polyketide origin, is moderately nephrotoxic to vertebrates, including humans. Citrinin is synthesised by condensation of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. Six genes involved in the citrinin biosynthesis, including pksCT, ctnA and ctnB, have been cloned in Monascus purpureus. The pksCT gene encodes a polyketide synthase; ctnA is a regulatory factor; and ctnB encodes an oxidoreductase. When the three genes were respectively disrupted, the disruption strains drastically decreased citrinin production or barely produced citrinin. Ten new genes have been discovered in Monascus aurantiacus besides the above six genes. One of these gene displayed the highest similarity to the β-carbonic anhydrase gene from Aspergillus oryzae (74% similarity) and was designated ctnG. To learn more about the citrinin biosynthetic pathway, a ctnG-replacement vector was constructed to disrupt ctnG with the hygromycin resistance gene as the selection marker, then transformed into M. aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 by a protoplast-PEG method. The citrinin content of three disruptants was reduced to about 50%, meanwhile pigment production decreased by 23%, respectively, over those of the wild-type strains. ctnG was deduced to be involved in the formation of malonyl-CoA as a common precursor of red pigments and citrinin. Therefore, the disruption of the ctnG gene decreased citrinin and pigment production. M. aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 can produce higher concentrations of citrinin than other strains such as M. purpureus and M. ruber. Establishing the function of citrinin biosynthetic genes in M. aurantiacus is helpful in understanding the citrinin synthetic pathway and adopting some strategies to control contamination.

Dioscorea Extract (DA-9801) Modulates Markers of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of DA-9801, an optimized extract of Dioscorea species, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a type 2 diabetic animal model. In this study, db/db mice were treated with DA-9801 (30 and 100 mg/kg, daily, p.o.) for 12 weeks. DA-9801 reduced the blood glucose levels and increased the withdrawal latencies in hot plate tests. Moreover, it prevented nerve damage based on increased nerve conduction velocity and ultrastructural changes. Decrease of nerve growth factor (NGF) may have a detrimental effect on diabetic neuropathy. We previously reported NGF regulatory properties of the Dioscorea genus. In this study, DA-9801 induced NGF production in rat primary astrocytes. In addition, it increased NGF levels in the sciatic nerve and the plasma of type 2 diabetic animals. DA-9801 also increased neurite outgrowth and mRNA expression of Tieg1/Klf10, an NGF target gene, in PC12 cells. These results demonstrated the attenuation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy by oral treatment with DA-9801 via NGF regulation. DA-9801 is currently being evaluated in a phase II clinical study.

Lower citrinin production by gene disruption of ctnB involved in citrinin biosynthesis in Monascus aurantiacus Li AS3.4384

The filamentous fungi Monascus spp. have been used in the production of food colorants and health remedies for more than 1000 years in Asia. However, greater attention has been given to the safety of Monascus products because they contain citrinin, which is harmful to the hepatic and renal systems. The citrinin biosynthetic gene cluster has been characterized in Monasucs aurantiacus . The ctnB gene encoding an oxidoreductase is located between pksCT and ctnA. In this study, a ctnB replacement vector (pCTNB-HPH) was constructed to disrupt the ctnB gene with a hygromycin resistance gene as the selection marker. The linear vector was transformed into M. aurantiacus using the protoplast CaCl2/polyethylene glycol (PEG) method. Three ctnB-disrupted strains were obtained by homologous recombination. In comparison to the parental strain, the ΔctnB mutants barely produced citrinin. These data confirmed that the ctnB gene is directly involved in citrinin biosynthesis. Moreover, the yields of the pigments of two disruptants were similar to that of the wild-type strain, but the yield of another mutant was slightly higher than that of the latter strain. These results indicate that the production of the mycotoxin citrinin was successfully eliminated through genetic engineering.

Genetic manipulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt in rice: overexpression of truncated glutamate decarboxylase (GAD2) and knockdown of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) lead to sustained and high levels of GABA accumulation in rice kernels

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid commonly present in all organisms. Because cellular levels of GABA in plants are mainly regulated by synthesis (glutamate decarboxylase, GAD) and catabolism (GABA-transaminase, GABA-T), we attempted seed-specific manipulation of the GABA shunt to achieve stable GABA accumulation in rice. A truncated GAD2 sequence, one of five GAD genes, controlled by the glutelin (GluB-1) or rice embryo globulin promoters (REG) and GABA-T-based trigger sequences in RNA interference (RNAi) cassettes controlled by one of these promoters as well, was introduced into rice (cv. Koshihikari) to establish stable transgenic lines under herbicide selection using pyriminobac. T₁ and T₂ generations of rice lines displayed high GABA concentrations (2-100 mg/100 g grain). In analyses of two selected lines from the T₃ generation, there was a strong correlation between GABA level and the expression of truncated GAD2, whereas the inhibitory effect of GABA-T expression was relatively weak. In these two lines both with two T-DNA copies, their starch, amylose, and protein levels were slightly lower than non-transformed cv. Koshihikari. Free amino acid analysis of mature kernels of these lines demonstrated elevated levels of GABA (75-350 mg/100 g polished rice) and also high levels of several amino acids, such as Ala, Ser, and Val. Because these lines of seeds could sustain their GABA content after harvest (up to 6 months), the strategy in this study could lead to the accumulation GABA and for these to be sustained in the edible parts.

Protective effect of deferricoprogen isolated from Monascus purpureus NTU 568 on citrinin-induced apoptosis in HEK-293 cells

Monascus species have traditionally been used in Asian food, with rice as their fermentation substrate. Red mold rice (RMR) contains citrinin, a nephrotoxic agent capable of exerting oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. We investigated the components in RMR that could minimize the adverse effects of citrinin. Combining chemical separations and bioactivity assays, we identified an antioxidative component called deferricoprogen (DFC) in the fermented rice of Monascus purpureus NTU 568. The DFC structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectra analysis. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical-scavenging activity of DFC was similar to that of vitamin E. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometric analysis showed the effect of DFC and citrinin on cell viability and cell cycle. DFC was found to be protective against the cytotoxicity and cell death induced by citrinin on human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. DFC also demonstrated anti-apoptotic property in preventing citrinin-induced apoptosis.

Immunomodulatory activities and antioxidant properties of polysaccharides from Monascus-fermented products in vitro

BACKGROUND

Monascus-fermented products have featured in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years and are widely used as food colourants and dietary materials in many Asian countries. Rice and dioscorea fermented with Monascus purpureus NTU 568 have health-promoting attributes in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides from red mould rice (RMRP) and red mould dioscorea (RMDP) in Raw 264.7 cells.

RESULTS

The results showed the antioxidant capabilities (including scavenging, chelating, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and reducing power) of RMRP and RMDP at a concentration of 10 mg mL(-1). RMRP and RMDP also stimulated cell proliferation, nitric oxide production, phagocytosis and cytokine production (including IL1-β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in Raw 264.7 cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that RMRP and RMDP have antioxidant and immunomodulation potential to be developed as novel dietary supplements.

Benefit of Monascus-fermented products for hypertension prevention: a review

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been reported to play a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system thereby exerting an inhibition in nerve impulse, in turn ameliorating depression; in addition, recent study also reveals the anti-hypertensive effect of GABA in vivo. Edible fungi of the Monascus species have been used as traditional Chinese medicine in eastern Asia for several centuries. Monascus-fermented products possess a number of functional secondary metabolites, including anti-inflammatory pigments (such as monascin and ankaflavin), monacolins, dimerumic acid, and GABA. Several scientific studies have shown that these secondary metabolites have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities. Moreover, many published reports have shown the efficacy of Monascus-fermented products in the prevention or amelioration of some diseases, including hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous types of cancer in recent studies. The current article discusses and provides evidence to elucidate the anti-hypertensive benefit of Monascus-fermented metabolites, including anti-inflammatory pigments and GABA.

Ankaflavin and monascin regulate endothelial adhesion molecules and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

Previous studies have established that red mold rice can regulate blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and that Monascus -fermented products, including monacolin K, ankaflavin (AF), and monascin (MS), can inhibit expression of adhesion factors such as E-selectin and endothelin-1 to prevent human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 monocytes from adhering to human aortic endothelial cells. However, it remains unknown whether AF and MS act directly on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) to enhance nitric oxide (NO) synthesis through the stimulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated whether AF and MS directly regulate NO synthesis and attenuate adhesion factor expression induced by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HUVECs. The results revealed that both AF and MS (20 μM) treatments promoted increases in eNOS expression and decreases in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and endothelin-1 mRNA and protein expression resulting from 12 h of TNF-α treatment. These effects are attributed to the ability of AF and MS to inhibit extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, thereby exerting antihypertensive activity.

Monascus-fermented metabolite monascin suppresses inflammation via PPAR-γ regulation and JNK inactivation in THP-1 monocytes

Fermentation products of the fungus Monascus offer valuable therapeutic benefits and have been used extensively for centuries in Asia. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of the Monascus-fermented metabolite monascin (MS) on the molecular mechanism of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced inflammation in the human THP-1 monocyte cell line. We found that 1, 5, and 25 μM of MS significantly attenuated several proinflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression as well as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) formation caused by OVA stimulation. Further, 5 and 25 μM of MS significantly reduced the generation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) at both the protein and mRNA levels. MS (5 and 25 μM) decreased OVA-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), but not that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p38 kinase. We used the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) antagonist GW9662 to show that MS inhibit JNK phosphorylation through increased expression of PPAR-γ. Thus, the metabolites from Monascus fermentation may serve as a dietary source of anti-inflammatory agents.

Induction of apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma cells MCF-7 by monapurpyridine A, a new azaphilone derivative from Monascus purpureus NTU 568

A new azaphilonidal derivative, monapurpyridine A (MPA), has recently been isolated from the fermented products of Monascus purpureus NTU 568. The structure of MPA was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and other spectroscopic analyses. Biological evaluation revealed that MPA could induce cell death in human breast adenocarcinoma cells MCF-7, and it has no significant toxicity to normal mammary epithelial cells M10. The MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis were employed to investigate cell viability and cell cycle influenced by MPA. Moreover, we used Western blot and caspase activity assay to demonstrate the activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9 resulted from MPA. All evidence supported that MPA was suitable for developing into a chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agent against breast cancer.

Optimization of culture condition for ACEI and GABA production by lactic acid bacteria

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) are compounds which can influence hypertension. The goal of this study is to optimize the culture condition for GABA and ACEI production by Lactobacillus plantarum NTU 102 fermented skim milk. In this study, we used 3-factor-3-level Box-Behnken design combining with response surface methodology, where the 3 factors represent the concentration of skim milk, the concentration of monosodium glutamate, and culture temperature. Best conditions for GABA and ACEI production differed. The results indicated that L. plantarum NTU 102 produced the highest combined levels of GABA and ACEI at 37 °C, in milk having 8% to 12% nonfat solids supplemented with 0.6% to 1% MSG. Agitation of the medium during fermentation had no effect on GABA or ACEI production but extended incubation (up to 6 d) increases levels of the bioactive compounds. L. plantarum NTU 102 fermented products may be a potential functional food source for regulating hypertension.

Osteoprotective effect of Monascus-fermented dioscorea in ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

This experiment established the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and examined the effect of the oral administration of different dosages of dioscorea, red mold dioscorea (RMD), and soy isoflavones on bone mineral density (BMD). Three months after osteoporosis had been induced and 4 weeks after feeding had begun, the tibia and femur BMD of OVX rats administered RMD showed significant increases compared with that of all other groups of OVX rats. Closer examination using microcomputed tomography also revealed that the RMD-administered rats had denser trabecular bone volume and a higher trabecular number compared to all other rat groups. Reconstructed 3D imaging indicated increases in cancellous bone mineral content, cancellous bone mineral density, and cortical bone mineral content of the proximal tibia in OVX rats. These findings indicate that administration of monacolin K and phytoestrogen diosgenin could prevent bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.

New bioactive orange pigments with yellow fluorescence from Monascus-fermented dioscorea

Red mold dioscorea (RMD) is a fermented product of Monascus purpureus NTU 568 using dioscorea as culture substrate. To investigate the bioactive components of RMD, six orange pigments including four new azaphilones with yellow fluorescence, monapilol A-D (1-4), and known monascorubrin (5) and rubropunctatin (6) were isolated and characterized. Structural elucidation of new isolates was based on nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and other spectroscopic analyses. The structures of monapilols (1-4) were similar to those of monascorubrin (5) and rubropunctatin (6); however, the hydroxyl group (8-OH) in compounds 1-4 substituted for the C-8 carbonyl in compounds 5 and 6. Biological evaluation indicated that compounds 1-4 inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1-4 also exhibited antiproliferative activities against human laryngeal carcinoma (HEp-2) and human colon adenocarinoma (WiDr).

Antihypertensive effects of Lactobacillus-fermented milk orally administered to spontaneously hypertensive rats

Products fermented with lactic acid bacteria may show antihypertensive effects via substances such as angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It was previously found that milk fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 (101FM) or Lactobacillus plantarum NTU 102 (102FM) has ACEI and GABA activities. This study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effects of 101FM and 102FM orally administered to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Eight hours after a single oral administration or after 8 weeks of weekly (chronic) administration, 101FM and 102FM significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the SHRs. Microscopic examination of aortic tissue demonstrated that 101FM and 102FM reduced the disorganization of the media layer. These findings suggest that orally administered 101FM and 102FM have antihypertensive effects, possibly via ACEI and GABA activity, in SHRs. Therefore, 101FM and 102FM may be useful ingredients in physiologically functional foods to prevent hypertension.

Antihypertriglyceridemia and anti-inflammatory activities of monascus-fermented dioscorea in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The rice fermented by Monascus, called red mold rice (RMR), and has a long tradition in East Asia as a dietary staple. Monascus-fermented dioscorea called red mold dioscorea (RMD) contains various metabolites to perform the ability of reducing oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory response. We used Wistar rats and induced diabetes by injecting streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg i.p.). RMD was administered daily starting six weeks after disease onset. Throughout the experimental period, significantly (P < .05) lowered plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acid and low density lipoprotein levels were observed in the RMD-treated groups. The RMD-treated diabetic rats showed higher activities of glutathione disulfide reductase, glutathione reductase, catalase and superoxide dismutase (P < .05) in the pancreas compared with the diabetic control rats. RMD also inhibited diabetes-induced elevation in the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Pancreatic β-cells damaged by STZ in the RMD supplemented groups were ameliorated. The results of this study clearly demonstrated that RMD possesses several treatment-oriented properties, including the control of hyperglycemia, antioxidant effects, pancreatic β-cell protection and anti-inflammatory effects. Considering these observations, it appears that RMD may be a useful supplement to delay the development of diabetes and its complications.

Antidepressant effect of GABA-rich monascus-fermented product on forced swimming rat model

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has several well-known physiological functions including antihypertension and antidepression. In this research, we focus on the antidepressant effects of oral administration of GABA-rich Monascus-fermented product in depression animal model (forced swimming test, FST) by Sprague-Dawley rats, and try to find its possible mechanism in the brain monoamine system. GABA and the Monascus-fermented product (MFP) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in a short-term test. In a long-term test, the antidepressant-like effect of MFP was better than that of GABA at the same dosage (2.6 mg/kg), and the efficacy of MFP was similar to that of fluoxetine. Moreover, GABA might recover the level of monoamines norepinephrine, dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hippocampus and normalize the turnover ratio of 5-HT and DA in hippocampus and amygdala. In addition to the functions of GABA, the MFP has more potential in decreasing the turnover ratio of DA in the frontal cortex and striatum to improve depressive symptoms.

Beneficial effects of Monascus purpureus NTU 568-fermented products: a review

Monascus-fermented products have been used in food, medicine, and industry dating back over a thousand years in Asian countries. Monascus-fermented products contained several bioactive metabolites such as pigments, polyketide monacolins, dimerumic acid, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Scientific reports showed that Monascus-fermented products proved to be effective for the management of blood cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and prevention of cancer development. This review article describes the beneficial effects about using Monascus-fermented products in human beings and animals.

Anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties of ankaflavin and monaphilone A from monascus purpureus NTU 568

An azaphilonidal derivative monaphilone A (MA) was recently isolated from the fermented products of Monascus purpureus NTU 568 by our laboratory. We report here the exploration of apoptosis-related and anti-inflammatory properties of MA and ankaflavin (AK) by some experiments about inducing death of human laryngeal carcinoma cell line HEp-2 and reducing inflammatory responses on murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. We employed a ssDNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to investigate the nuclear changes of early apoptosis induced by AK and MA on HEp-2 cells and used a western blot and an enzyme activity assay to demonstrate the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 by MA and AK. Our studies revealed that AK and MA may decrease lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses, including nitrite productions and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. All evidence support that azaphilonidal derivatives from M. purpureus NTU 568, such as AK and MA, are suitable for the development of chemotherapy or chemopreventive agents.

The effect of Monascus secondary polyketide metabolites, monascin and ankaflavin, on adipogenesis and lipolysis activity in 3T3-L1

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of Monascus secondary metabolites, monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK), on cell proliferation, adipogenesis, lipolysis and heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (HR-LPL) in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. MS and AK inhibit the proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. At 8 μg/mL concentration MS inhibits proliferation for 80.5% after 48 h, whereas the value for AK is 69.2%. Adipogenesis is inhibited by MS and AK without dose-dependency. Triglyceride is decreased 37.1% and 41.1% respectively by treating 0.125 μg/mL MS and AK. Adipocyte-specific transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), C/EBPδ and C/EBPα mRNA levels are measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of the four transcriptional factors analyzed (PPARγ, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ and C/EBPα) is reduced at the initial and the middle period. At the later period, there is no effect on the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα by treating MS and AK. Furthermore, both MS and AK increase basal lipolysis of mature adipocytes by 113.2% and 278.3% upregulation, respectively. And both MS and AK reduce the activity of HR-LPL, by 45.3% and 58.1% reduction, respectively. This study reveals for the first time that Monascus secondary metabolites, MS and AK, can prevent the differentiation of preadipocyte and stimulate basal lipolysis of mature adipocytes, avoiding the accumulation of lipid.

Monaphilones A-C, three new antiproliferative azaphilone derivatives from Monascus purpureus NTU 568

Monascus purpureus NTU 568 was a mutant strain from M. purpureus HM105. The methanol extract of red mold rice fermented by this strain exhibited four major yellow pigment signals on HPLC profile. By repeated chemical chromatography methods, three new azaphilone derivatives, namely, monaphilone A (1), B (2) and C (3), along with the known pigments ankaflavin (4) and monascin (5), were isolated and characterized. Based on spectroscopic analyses, mainly 1D and 2D NMR data, the structures of compounds 1-3 were completely elucidated; in addition, 1-3 were determined to be new azaphilone structures, due to the decrease of carbon monoxide for producing a gamma-lactone ring, compared with other azaphilone derivatives. Biological evaluations showed that monaphilone A (1) and B (2) exhibited an antiproliferative effect against HEp-2 (human laryngeal carcinoma cell line) and WiDr (human colon adenocarcinoma cell line), and none of the five compounds had toxicity to normal human lung cell lines (WI-38 and MRC-5) at 70 muM.