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Dimerumic acid as an antioxidant of the mold, Monascus anka

Y Aniya1, I I Ohtani, T Higa

  • 1Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. yaniya@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|May 10, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Dimerumic acid from Monascus anka mold demonstrates significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. This compound protected against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice by scavenging free radicals.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Food Science

Background:

  • Monascus anka mold, traditionally used in food fermentation, possesses known antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties.
  • Previous research indicated its efficacy against chemically induced liver injuries.
  • Identification of the specific active component was necessary to understand its mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and identify the antioxidant component from Monascus anka.
  • To evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of the isolated compound.
  • To confirm its protective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and structural elucidation of the antioxidant compound from M. anka.
  • In vitro assessment of radical scavenging activity (DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide).
  • In vivo study using a mouse model with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury.

Main Results:

  • The antioxidant component was identified as dimerumic acid.
  • Dimerumic acid significantly scavenged DPPH radicals and moderately scavenged hydroxyl and superoxide radicals.
  • Pretreatment with dimerumic acid (12 mg/kg) reduced CCl4-induced elevations in serum ALT and AST, and normalized liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity.

Conclusions:

  • Dimerumic acid is the active antioxidant compound isolated from Monascus anka.
  • Dimerumic acid exhibits significant antioxidant activity and protects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.
  • These findings highlight dimerumic acid as a potential therapeutic agent for liver injury.

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