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Statins-From Fungi to Pharmacy

Anna Sadowska1, Patryk Osiński2, Alicja Roztocka2

  • 1Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Bialystok, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Natural statins, derived from fungi, and synthetic statins are used for hyperlipidemia. This review details natural statin production, pharmacokinetics, and pleiotropic effects of both types.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Statins are crucial for hyperlipidemia management, used in monotherapy and combination treatments.
  • Natural statins are produced via fungal fermentation (e.g., Monascus, Penicillium).
  • Compactin (mevastatin) is a key natural statin and biotransformation substrate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe natural statin production processes.
  • To detail the pharmacokinetics of natural and synthetic statins.
  • To outline the pleiotropic effects of various statins.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on fungal fermentation for natural statin production.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic data for natural and synthetic statins.
  • Compilation of information on statin pleiotropic effects.

Main Results:

  • Natural statins are produced by fungi like Monascus spp.
  • Statins are categorized into natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic types.
  • Pharmacokinetic profiles and chemical properties influence statin effects.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding natural statin origins and properties is vital.
  • Pharmacokinetics and chemical structures differentiate statin efficacy and safety.
  • Both natural and synthetic statins share similar pleiotropic and adverse effect profiles.
Keywords:
HMG-CoA reductasecholesterolfungistatins

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