title: Inhibition of leukemia proliferation by a novel polysaccharide identified from Monascus-fermented dioscorea via inducing differentiation.
abstract: Monascus-fermented products offer valuable therapeutic benefits and have been extensively used in East Asia. However, the polysaccharide obtained from Monascus-fermented products has never been investigated. This study evaluated the effects of dioscorea polysaccharide (DPS) and red mold dioscorea polysaccharide (RMDPS) on differentiation of leukemic THP-1 cells. DPS and RMDPS inhibited THP-1 cells proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners. The differentiation induction (macrophage-like cells) was observed when THP-1 cells were treated with DPS and RMDPS for 5 days. Superoxide anion production, phagocytic capacity, and cytokine secretion confirmed activity for differentiating THP-1 cells. Results indicated that RMDPS elevated reactive oxygen species production and immune activity, including phagocytosis, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) productions in THP-1 cells, which was greater than that seen with DPS. These results may be attributed to Monascus-fermentation altering the carbohydrate components and polysaccharide structure. RMDPS may serve as a novel material and functional ingredient to exert anticancer capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Science & Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bao-Hong
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wei-Hsuan
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Te-Han
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Tzu-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D032741:Monascus / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides