Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Isolation and Chemical Characterization of Lipid A from Gram-negative Bacteria
Published on: September 16, 2013
Isolation and characterization of ergosterol from Monascus anka for anti-lipid peroxidation properties
Z Yongxia1, X Jian2, H Suyuan3
1Department of Wine Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai, Guizhou, China.
Abstract:
Unbalanced lipid peroxidation damages the human body, and is associated with the formation of tumors, infections, inflammations, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, food and drugs that contain anti-lipid peroxidation active substances, can help to protect against these negative health impacts. We observed lipid peroxidation inhibition in the metabolites of fermented Monascus anka, in media with Dendrobium nobile Lindl. The anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the extracts was strongest in ethyl acetate, so this was selected for further purifications. A crystal with strong antioxidant properties was obtained by column chromatography. Based on its spectroscopic analysis by Electron Bombardment Ion Source and Mass Spectrometry (EI-MS), 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR), and 13C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C-NMR), the isolated crystal was identified as ergosterol. The inhibition rates of the lipid peroxide due to the ergosterol were 57.42%, at 2μg/mL in vitro. Simultaneously, the survival rates of the damaged cells treated with 0.3mmol/L H2O2 were significantly improved with the ergosterol, up to 43.88% (200μg/mL) and 46.64% (400μg/mL), compared to 36.47% for the injured cells. The survival rate of the cells was 78.32% (400μg/mL), with ergosterol as a prevention. Cell injury can increase the level of intracellular ROS, but its levels in the damaged cells were reduced after the ergosterol treatments, and the reduction increased with the increasing concentrations. A 400μg/mL concentration resulted in the lowest fluorescence intensity; 33421.11 AU below the normal level. Ergosterol significantly reduced the ROS levels, to reduce the cell damage. Ergosterol from Monascus anka was thus found to have strong anti-lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capabilities, and the ability to protect and repair damaged cells. It may consequently serve as a potential natural antioxidant and will play an important role in human anti-lipid peroxide.
Insights
Fermented Monascus anka contains ergosterol, a potent antioxidant that inhibits lipid peroxidation and protects cells from damage. This natural compound shows promise in preventing and repairing cell injury, offering significant health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Unbalanced lipid peroxidation is linked to various diseases, including cancer, infections, inflammation, and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular conditions.
- Dietary and pharmaceutical interventions with anti-lipid peroxidation substances can mitigate these health risks.
- Fermented Monascus anka metabolites, particularly from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. media, exhibit anti-lipid peroxidation activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify the active anti-lipid peroxidation compound from fermented Monascus anka.
- To evaluate the antioxidant and cell-protective properties of the isolated compound in vitro.
- To investigate the potential of ergosterol as a natural therapeutic agent against lipid peroxidation-induced damage.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and purification of active compounds using ethyl acetate and column chromatography.
- Spectroscopic analysis including Electron Bombardment Ion Source and Mass Spectrometry (EI-MS), 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR), and 13C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C-NMR) for compound identification.
- In vitro assays to determine lipid peroxide inhibition rates, cell survival rates after H2O2-induced damage, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
Main Results:
- Ergosterol was isolated and identified as the primary active compound responsible for anti-lipid peroxidation effects.
- Ergosterol demonstrated significant inhibition of lipid peroxide (57.42% at 2μg/mL) and enhanced cell survival rates (up to 46.64% at 400μg/mL) against H2O2-induced damage.
- Ergosterol treatment reduced intracellular ROS levels in damaged cells, with a concentration-dependent effect, indicating its protective and repair capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Ergosterol isolated from fermented Monascus anka possesses strong anti-lipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties.
- Ergosterol effectively protects and repairs cells damaged by oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
- Ergosterol represents a promising natural antioxidant for combating lipid peroxidation-related health issues.
More Related Videos
08:21Isolation and Screening from Soil Biodiversity for Fungi Involved in the Degradation of Recalcitrant Materials
Published on: May 16, 2022
07:29Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
