L-Trp and L-Leu-OEt derivatives of the monascus pigment exert high anti-obesity effects on mice.
High-fat diets (HFDs) supplemented with the L-Trp and L-Leu-OEt derivatives of the monascus pigment were fed to mice. Compared to the HFD group, the average body weight gain of the four HFD-pigment groups was decreased by 13.6-50.9%, and the intra-peritoneal adipose tissues weight was reduced by 16.7-30.5%. The derivatives also reduced the respective serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the mice by 9.7-14.4% and 12.5-17.2%. The L-Trp derivative greatly increased the HDL-cholesterol level by 64.8-66.4% and the HTR value by 73.8-81.7%. The L-Leu-OEt and L-Trp derivatives decreased the total cholesterol level in the mice liver by 9.7-24.2% and 36.2-39.9%, respectively. Reductions in the triglyceride level were 21.5-22.4% for the L-Leu-OEt derivative and 17.9-18.8% for the L-Trp derivative. The L-Leu-OEt derivative exhibited higher in vitro inhibitory activities against HMG-CoA reductase and lipoprotein lipase than the L-Trp derivative. An in vivo test with mice showed the L-Trp derivative to have higher anti-obesity effects than the L-Leu-OEt derivative.
Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Jong Hoon
JH
Kim
Yong Ook
YO
Kim
Jungae
J
Jeun
Duck-Young
DY
Choi
Chul Soo
CS
Shin
D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D032741:Monascus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D014364:Tryptophan; D007930:Leucine