Chinese red yeast rice inhibition of prostate tumor growth in SCID mice
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Mee Young Hong1, Susanne Henning, Aune Moro
1Center for Human Nutrition, 900 Veteran Ave Room 1-2-217, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is a slowly developing but very common cancer in males that may be amenable to preventive strategies that are not toxic. Chinese red yeast rice (RYR), a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast on white rice, contains a mixture of eight different monacolins that inhibit cholesterogenesis in addition to red pigments with antioxidant properties. Monacolin K is identical to lovastatin (LV), but LV unlike RYR can be used in individuals intolerant to statins due to muscle pain. Both LV and RYR inhibit de novo cholesterogenesis, which is critical to the growth of tumor cells. Long-term use of statin drugs has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We have previously shown that RYR inhibited androgen-dependent and androgen receptor-overexpressing androgen-independent prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro. This study was designed to determine whether RYR and LV inhibit prostate tumor growth in SCID mice. RYR significantly reduced tumor volumes of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate xenograft tumors compared with animals receiving vehicle alone (P < 0.05). Inhibition by RYR was greater than that observed with LV at the dose found in RYR, showing that other compounds in RYR contributed to the antiproliferative effect. There was a significant correlation of tumor volume to serum cholesterol (P < 0.001). RYR decreased gene expression of androgen synthesizing enzymes (HSD3B2, AKR1C3, and SRD5A1) in both type of tumors (P < 0.05). Clinical studies of RYR for prostate cancer prevention in the increasing population of men undergoing active surveillance should be considered.
Insights
Chinese red yeast rice (RYR) and lovastatin (LV) inhibit prostate tumor growth. RYR demonstrated greater efficacy than LV, reducing tumor volumes and decreasing key gene expression, suggesting RYR
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Nutraceuticals
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, potentially preventable with non-toxic strategies.
- Chinese red yeast rice (RYR) contains monacolins, inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and possessing antioxidant properties.
- Monacolin K in RYR is identical to lovastatin (LV), a cholesterol-lowering drug, but RYR may be better tolerated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of RYR and LV in inhibiting prostate tumor growth in SCID mice.
- To compare the anti-tumor effects of RYR and LV.
- To explore RYR's impact on androgen synthesis pathways in prostate tumors.
Main Methods:
- RYR and LV were administered to SCID mice bearing androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate xenografts.
- Tumor volumes were measured and compared between treatment groups and a vehicle control group.
- Gene expression of androgen-synthesizing enzymes (HSD3B2, AKR1C3, SRD5A1) was analyzed in tumor tissues.
Main Results:
- RYR significantly reduced tumor volumes in both types of prostate xenografts compared to controls (P < 0.05).
- RYR exhibited greater tumor inhibition than LV at equivalent doses, indicating contributions from other RYR compounds.
- RYR significantly decreased the expression of androgen synthesis genes in tumors (P < 0.05) and a correlation between tumor volume and serum cholesterol was observed (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- RYR effectively inhibits prostate tumor growth in vivo, outperforming lovastatin at comparable doses.
- RYR's anti-prostate cancer effects may be mediated by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and androgen production.
- RYR warrants clinical investigation for prostate cancer prevention, particularly in men on active surveillance.