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New bioactive orange pigments with yellow fluorescence from Monascus-fermented dioscorea
Ya-Wen Hsu1, Li-Chuan Hsu, Yu-Han Liang
1Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|April 22, 2011
Summary
Researchers identified four new azaphilone pigments, monapilols A-D, from red mold dioscorea. These compounds show potential in inhibiting nitric oxide production and antiproliferative activities against cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Red mold dioscorea (RMD) is derived from fermenting dioscorea with Monascus purpureus NTU 568.
- Investigating RMD's bioactive components is crucial for understanding its health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel bioactive compounds from RMD.
- To evaluate the biological activities of the isolated compounds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and structural elucidation of orange pigments using NMR and spectroscopic analyses.
- Biological assays including nitric oxide inhibition and antiproliferative activity testing.
Main Results:
- Four new azaphilones, monapilols A-D, were identified alongside known pigments monascorubrin and rubropunctatin.
- Monapilols A-D demonstrated inhibition of nitric oxide production in stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.
- Compounds 1-4 exhibited antiproliferative effects against human laryngeal (HEp-2) and colon (WiDr) carcinoma cells.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified novel azaphilone compounds from RMD.
- Monapilols A-D possess significant anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
- These findings suggest RMD as a potential source for therapeutic agents.
