Monascus-fermented red mold rice exhibits cytotoxic effect and induces apoptosis on human breast cancer cells.
Red mold rice (RMR) is a traditional food and folk medicine to Asian people and has recently become a popular health supplement. RMR has been shown to have some anticancer activities, although the mechanism for inducing cell death of human breast cancer cells is still not fully understood. In this study, bioactive extracts of RMR fermented by Monascus purpureus NTU 803 were analyzed for effects on apoptosis induction in human breast cancer cells. The RMR ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract contain monacolin K, total phenols, and flavonoids, the three components that have been reported to have anticancer activity. Red mold rice extracts (RMRE) exhibited selective cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells. RMRE treatment induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Apoptosis was confirmed by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide staining, the observation of characteristic chromatin condensation, nuclear DNA fragmentation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, the RMRE-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells may occur through a mitochondria-dependent pathway while triggering an appropriate balance of bax/bcl-2 and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in a time-dependent manner. To conclude, RMRE exhibits direct cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells and could be considered as a potential functional food for breast cancer prevention.
Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, 151 Jinxue Rd., Daliao Dist., Kaohsiung, 83102, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chu-I
CI
Lee
Chun-Lin
CL
Lee
Jyi-Faa
JF
Hwang
Yi-Hsin
YH
Lee
Jyh-Jye
JJ
Wang
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D032741:Monascus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012275:Oryza / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents