Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Encapsulation of Cancer Therapeutic Agent Dacarbazine Using Nanostructured Lipid Carrier
Published on: April 26, 2016
Monascus Red Pigment Liposomes: Microstructural Characteristics, Stability, and Anticancer Activity.
Pengcheng Long1, Lisha Zhu1,2, Huafa Lai1,2
1National R&D Center for Se-Rich Agricultural Products Processing, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Deep Processing of Green Se-Rich Agricultural Products, School of Modern Industry for Selenium Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China.
This study embeds Monascus red pigments (MRPs) into liposomes, creating Monascus red pigment liposomes (MRPL). MRPL shows enhanced stability and stronger anticancer effects, indicating potential for functional foods and pharmaceuticals.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Monascus red pigments (MRPs) are natural colorants used in food and supplements.
- MRPs exhibit poor stability during processing and storage.
- Liposome encapsulation is a strategy to enhance the stability of bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the stability of Monascus red pigments (MRPs) by embedding them into liposome membranes.
- To characterize the physicochemical properties of the resulting Monascus red pigment liposomes (MRPL).
- To evaluate the enhanced stability and anticancer activity of MRPL compared to free MRPs.
Main Methods:
- Thin-film ultrasonic method for embedding MRPs into liposomes.
- Characterization of MRPL using particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential measurements.
- Assessment of MRPL stability under various conditions (pH, thermal, light, metal ions, storage, simulated digestion).
- In vitro anticancer assay against MKN-28 cells.
Main Results:
- MRPL formed spherical unilamellar vesicles with particle sizes ranging from 20-200 nm.
- Liposome encapsulation significantly enhanced MRP stability against pH, thermal, light, metal ions, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion.
- MRPL demonstrated a stronger inhibitory effect on MKN-28 cells, with an IC50 value of 0.57 mg/mL, by damaging cell integrity.
Conclusions:
- Monascus red pigment liposomes (MRPL) exhibit superior stability in various environmental conditions and simulated digestion compared to free MRPs.
- MRPL possess enhanced anticancer activity against MKN-28 cells.
- MRPL show significant potential for applications in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries due to their improved stability and bioactivity.
