Cytotoxic monacolin analogs from Monascus purpureus-fermented rice

Abstract

Two new monacolin analogs, monacolins O (1) and P (2), along with three known analogs, have been isolated from the ethanolic extract of Monascus purpureus-fermented rice. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR and CD spectral analyses as well as chemical method. Both 1 and 2 were tested against five tumor cell lines, and compound 1 exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against A2780 and A549 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 3.7 and 8.0 μM, respectively.

Keywords:

• Monascus purpureus-fermented rice
• monacolin analogs
• absolute configuration
• NMR
• CD
• cytotoxic activity

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 31171669); the Beijing Natural Sciences Foundation (Grant No. 7102020); and Scientific Research Common Program of Beijing Municipal Commission of Education (Grant No. KM201111417001).

Notes

^1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

^1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ming-Tao Liu

1 1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

A-Li Wang

1 1. These authors contributed equally to this work.