Ankaflavin and Monascin Regulate Endothelial Adhesion Molecules and Endothelial NO Synthase (eNOS) Expression Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs)

Abstract

Previous studies have established that red mold rice can regulate blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and that Monascus -fermented products, including monacolin K, ankaflavin (AF), and monascin (MS), can inhibit expression of adhesion factors such as E-selectin and endothelin-1 to prevent human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 monocytes from adhering to human aortic endothelial cells. However, it remains unknown whether AF and MS act directly on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) to enhance nitric oxide (NO) synthesis through the stimulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated whether AF and MS directly regulate NO synthesis and attenuate adhesion factor expression induced by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HUVECs. The results revealed that both AF and MS (20 μM) treatments promoted increases in eNOS expression and decreases in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and endothelin-1 mRNA and protein expression resulting from 12 h of TNF-α treatment. These effects are attributed to the ability of AF and MS to inhibit extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, thereby exerting antihypertensive activity.

Benefit of Monascus-fermented products for hypertension prevention: a review

“…eNOS activation by Monascus-fermented products Study has shown antioxidants promoting eNOS expression in endothelial cells via a p38 MAPK-estrogen receptor alphadependent pathway (Anter et al 2005). We showed that monascin and ankaflavin both activated eNOS expression and increased NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and prevented a decrease in eNOS expression in TNF-α-induced HUVECs (Hsu et al 2012) ( Fig. 7).…”

Monaschin and Ankaflavin- In Diabetic Nephropathy?

“…[1] CHEMICAL NATURE [2] Six azaphilones, monascin (1), ankaflavin (2), rubropunctatin (3), monascorburin (4), rubropunctamine (5), and monascorburamine (6), two furanoisophthalides, xanthomonasin A (7) and xanthomonasin B (8), and two amino acids, (+)-monascumic acid (9) and (-)-monascumic acid (10), isolated from the extracts of Monascus pilosus-fermented rice (redmold rice). [2] INHIBITORY ACTION OF COMPOUNDS [2] Among the compounds confirmed, seven compounds (1-6 and 10) on TPA-induced inflammation, and six compounds (1,(3)(4)(5)9, and 10) on EBV-EA activation, exhibited potent inhibitory effects. All of the compounds displayed moderate inhibitory effects on NOR 1 activation in study.…”

“…Increases in eNOS expression and decreases in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). [4] 10. The apoptotic effects of ankaflavin and monascin were HSC-T6-specific, suggesting their potential in treating liver fibrosis.…”

The Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson’s Disease by Monascus purpureus NTU 568-Fermented Compounds

“…Blood pressure regulation [53] Liver protective [54] Anti-allergic [55] Ankaflavin Anti-inflammation [38] Anti-liver cancer [56] Hypolipidemic [50] Anti-obesity…”

“…Blood pressure regulation [53] Liver protective [54] Anti-allergic [55] Dimerumic acid Anti-oxidation [42] Anti-diabetic [57] Liver protective [44] Anti-cancer metastasis [58] Deferricoprogen Kidney protective [46] could stimulate oxidation stress and inflammatory response in the brain, resulting in deposition of Aβ40 [23]. As deposition continues with time, oxidative stress and inflammation of greater severity are triggered.…”