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The biosynthesis and secretion of Monascus pigments are closely related to the integrity of the cell membrane, which determines the composition of lipids and its content in cell membrane. The present study aimed to thoroughly describe the changes of lipid profiling in Monascus purpureus BWY-5, which was screened by carbon ion beam irradiation (12C6+) to almost single yield extracellular Monascus yellow pigments (extra-MYPs), by absolute quantitative lipidomics and tandem mass tags (TMT) based quantitative proteomic. 12C6+ irradiation caused non-lipid oxidation damage to Monascus cell membrane, leading to an imbalance in cell membrane lipid homeostasis. This imbalance was attributed to significant changes not only in the composition but also in the content of lipids in Monascus, especially the inhibition of glycerophospholipid biosynthesis. Integrity of plasma membrane was maintained by the increased production of ergosterol, monogalactosylmonoacylglycerol (MGMG) and sulfoquinovosylmonoacylglycerol (SQMG), while mitochondrial membrane homeostasis was maintained by the increase of cardiolipin production. The growth and extra-MYPs production of Monascus BWY-5 have been regulated by the promotion of sphingolipids (ceramide and sulfatide) biosynthesis. Simultaneous, energy homeostasis may be achieved by increase of TG synthesis and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity. These finding suggest ergosterol, cardiolipin, sphingolipids, MGMG and SQMG play a key facilitating role in cytomembrane lipid homeostasis maintaining for Monascus purpureus BWY-5, and then it is closely related to cell growth and extra-MYPs production.Key points1. Energy homeostasis in Monascus purpureus BWY-5 was achieved by increase of TG synthesis and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity.2. Integrity of plasma membrane in Monascus purpureus BWY-5 was maintained by the increased production of ergosterol.3. Mitochondrial membrane homeostasis in Monascus purpureus BWY-5 was maintaed by the increase of cardiolipin synthesis.

The aim of this study is to review the recent studies on the pharmacology and mechanism of action of Went, analyze its medicinal value, and explore future research directions. A scoping review was conducted by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP database, SinoMed, and PubMed from inception until September 2024. The basic information of the included studies, such as study types, disease types, main components, outcomes, and efficacy, was reviewed and summarized. Methodological quality was assessed using the SYRCLE's risk of bias assessment tool for animal studies and the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for clinical trials. We identified 251 studies from the five databases. Among them, 153 were experimental studies, 70 were reviews, and 28 were clinical trials. Of the experimental studies, molecular studies accounted for the largest portion, totaling 80 (52%). Among the reviews, research progress accounted for the most, totaling 41 (59%). The clinical trials studied the effects of Went and its related Chinese patent medicines and preparations. Of these, 17 (61%) used Went related Chinese patent medicines and preparations as interventions and 11 (39%) used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations of Went as interventions. In terms of methodological quality, both animal studies and clinical trials related to Went showed deficiencies in randomized allocation sequence generation, allocation concealment, and blinding methods. We summarized existing studies on the active ingredients and effects of Went and found that it is necessary to improve the generation of random allocation sequences and the application of the blinding method in Went-related animal studies and clinical trials. When similar studies are conducted in the future, the specific methods of random assignment should be more clearly described, and blinding methods should be applied to improve the objectivity and accuracy of the studies, thereby providing a reference for selecting future research directions and establishing supporting evidence.

Fish bone fermented using Monascus purpureus (FBF) has total phenols and functional amino acids that contribute to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Colorectal cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers and the third largest cause of death worldwide, has become a serious threat to global health. This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of FBF (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/mL) on the cell growth and molecular mechanism of HCT-116 cells. The HCT-116 cell treatment with 2.5 or 5 mg/mL of FBF for 24 h significantly decreased cell viability (p < 0.05). The S and G2/M phases significantly increased by 88–105% and 25–43%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, FBF increased the mRNA expression of caspase 8 (38–77%), protein expression of caspase 3 (34–94%), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (31–34%) and induced apoptosis (236–773%) of HCT-116 cells (p < 0.05). FBF also increased microtubule-associated protein 1B light chain 3 (LC3) (38–48%) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase class III (PI3K III) (32–53%) protein expression, thereby inducing autophagy (26–52%) of HCT-116 cells (p < 0.05). These results showed that FBF could inhibit HCT-116 cell growth by inducing S and G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle, apoptosis and autophagy. Thus, FBF has the potential to treat colorectal cancer.

The mold Monascus, also called red yeast rice, anka, or koji, has been used as the natural food coloring agent and food additives for more than 1000 years in Asian countries. It has also been used in Chinese herbology and traditional Chinese medicine due to its easing digestion and antiseptic effects. However, under different culture conditions, the ingredients in Monascus-fermented products may be changed. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the ingredients, as well as the bioactivities of Monascus-derived natural products, is important. Here, through the thorough investigation into the chemical constituents of M. purpureus wmd2424, five previously undescribed compounds, monascuspurins A–E (1–5), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of mangrove-derived fungus Monascus purpureus wmd2424 cultured in RGY medium. All the constituents were confirmed via HRESIMS and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Their antifungal activity was also evaluated. Our results showed that four constituents (compounds 3–5) possessed mild antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is worth mentioning that the chemical composition of the type strain Monascus purpureus wmd2424 has never been studied.

The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of monacolins in red yeast rice (RYR) and to provide advice on a dietary intake of monacolins that does not give rise to concerns about harmful effects to health. The Panel reviewed the scientific evidences available as well as the information provided by interested parties in response of a public ‘Call for data’ launched by EFSA. The Panel considered that monacolin K in lactone form is identical to lovastatin, the active ingredient of several medicinal products authorised for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in the EU. On the basis of the information available, the Panel concluded that intake of monacolins from RYR via food supplements, could lead to estimated exposure to monacolin K within the range of the therapeutic doses of lovastatin. The Panel considered that the available information on the adverse effects reported in humans were judged to be sufficient to conclude that monacolins from RYR when used as food supplements were of significant safety concern at the use level of 10 mg/day. The Panel further considered that individual cases of severe adverse reactions have been reported for monacolins from RYR at intake levels as low as 3 mg/day. The Panel concluded that exposure to monacolin K from RYR could lead to severe adverse effects on musculoskeletal system, including rhabdomyolysis, and on the liver. In the reported cases, the product contained other ingredients in addition to RYR. However, these reported effects in particular musculoskeletal effects, have both occurred after ingestion of monacolin K and lovastatin independently. On the basis of the information available and several uncertainties highlighted in this opinion, the Panel was unable to identify a dietary intake of monacolins from RYR that does not give rise to concerns about harmful effects to health, for the general population, and as appropriate, for vulnerable subgroups of the population.

A novel 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivative, named 6,7-dimethoxy-2-[2-(3′ ,4′ ,5′ -trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone ( 1 ), and eight known 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives ( 2–9 ) were isolated from highland barley Monascus purpureus for the first time. Compounds 1–9 were determined by extensive spectroscopic data and reported references and they were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities on L-O2 cells with Bifendatatum as the positive drug. As a result, compounds 1 , 4 , and 8 exhibited certain hepatoprotective activities.

To facilitate lipid-lowering effects, a lovastatin-producing microbial co-culture system (LPMCS) was constituted with a novel strain Monascus purpureus R5 in combination with Lacticaseibacillus casei S5 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae J7, which increased lovastatin production by 54.21% compared with the single strain R5. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimization indicated lovastatin yield peaked at 7.43 mg/g with a fermentation time of 13.88 d, water content of 50.5%, and inoculum ratio of 10.27%. Meanwhile, lovastatin in LPMCS co-fermentation extracts (LFE) was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Cellular experiments demonstrated that LFE exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity to L-02 cells and exhibited excellent biosafety. Most notably, high-dose LFE (100 mg/L) exhibited the highest reduction of lipid accumulation, total cholesterol, and triglycerides simultaneously in oleic acid-induced L-02 cells, which decreased by 71.59%, 38.64%, and 58.85% than untreated cells, respectively. Overall, LPMCS provides a potential approach to upgrade the lipid-lowering activity of Monascus-fermented products with higher health-beneficial effects.

A new phenylpropanoid glycoside, named 4-O- β -D-glucopyranosyl-7-phenyl-9-propenyl ketone-9-O- β -Dglucopyranosyl-(6′′→1′′′)-6′′-O-α-L-rhamnopyranose ( 1 ), and four known phenylpropanoid glycosides 2–5 were isolated from highland barley Monascus purpureus Went for the first time. Their structures were determined by their comprehensive spectral data and reported references. Compounds 1–5 were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities against D-galactosamine-induced toxicity in WB-F344 cells with bicyclol as positive control. As a result, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate hepatoprotective activities.

To further develop Liupao tea products and enhance their flavor, this study investigated the effects of different fermentation methods on the aroma quality of Liupao tea. The aroma quality of Liupao tea was comprehensively analyzed using HS-SPME in combination with GC-Q-TOF-MS, electronic nose, and sensory evaluations. Electronic nose detection showed that the aroma fingerprints of Liupao tea samples with different fermentation methods were different. Sulfides, alcohols, ketones, and methyls were the main aroma categories affecting the aroma of the four groups of Liupao tea samples. GC-Q-TOF-MS analysis revealed significant differences in the composition of aroma components among the four fermentation methods of Liupao tea (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the total amount of aroma compounds was found to be highest in the group subjected to hot fermentation combined with the inoculation of Monascus purpureus (DMl group). Based on the OPLS-DA model, candidate differential aroma components with VIP > 1 were identified, and characteristic aroma compounds were selected based on OAV > 10. The key characteristic aroma compounds shared by the four groups of samples were 1,2,3-Trimethoxybenzene with a stale aroma and nonanal with floral and fruity aromas. The best sensory evaluation results were obtained for the DMl group, and its key characteristic aroma compounds mainly included 1,2,3-Trimethoxybenzene, nonanal, and cedrol. The results of this study can guide the development of Liupao tea products and process optimization.

Liver cancer is the most endemic cancer in a large region of the world. This study investigated the anti-metastatic effects of an extract of Monascus purpureus CWT715 (MP) fermented from sorghum liquor biowaste and its mechanisms of action in highly metastatic human hepatocarcinoma SK-Hep-1 cells. Kinmen sorghum liquor waste was used as the primary nutrient source to produce metabolites (including pigments) of MP. In the presence of 10 µg/mL MP-fermented broth (MFB), the anti-invasive activity increased with increasing fermentation time reaching a maximum at six days of fermentation. Interestingly, MFB also produced maximal pigment content at six days. Treatment for 24 h with MFB (10–100 µg/mL) obtained from fermentation for six days significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, and these effects were concentration-dependent. MFB also significantly enhanced nm23-H1 protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner, which was highly correlated with migration and invasion. These results suggest that MFB has significant anti-migration and anti-invasion activities and that these effects are associated with the induction of nm23-H1 protein expression.