Different types of components obtained from Monascus purpureus with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potentials

Food Funct. 2021 Sep 20;12(18):8694-8703. doi: 10.1039/d1fo01711j.

Abstract

The mold Monascus has been used as a natural food coloring agent and food additive for more than 1000 years in Asian countries. In Chinese herbology, it was also used for easing digestion and antiseptic effects. Through a thorough investigation of a citrinin-free strain: M. purpureus BCRC 38110, four azaphilones, three benzenoids, one benzofuranone, one 5',6'-dihydrospiro[isochromane-1,2'-pyran]-4'(3'H)-one derivative, two steroids, and six tetralones have been successfully identified. Among them, monapyridine A (1), monatetralones A-E (2-6), and monabenzofuranone (7) were first reported. Their structures were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and HRESIMS analyses. With a series of bioactivity screening, monascuspirolide B (14) and ergosterol peroxide (16) exhibited concentration-dependent attenuation of the paclitaxel-induced neurite damage of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons. The interleukin (IL)-1β-induced release of inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in human chondrosarcoma cells was inhibited by monapurpureusone (8) and monascuspirolide B (14). Altogether, M. purpureus BCRC 38110 possessed potentials as natural therapeutics against inflammatory osteoarthritis and paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monascus / chemistry*
  • Monascus / metabolism
  • Neuronal Outgrowth / drug effects
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-8
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha