Evaluating Antitumor and Antioxidant Activities of Yellow Monascus Pigments from Monascus ruber Fermentation

Abstract

Yellow Monascus pigments can be of two kinds: Natural and reduced, in which natural yellow Monascus pigments (NYMPs) attract widespread attention for their bioactivities. In this study, the antioxidative and antibreast cancer effects of the water-soluble NYMPs fermented by Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910 were evaluated. Results showed that water-soluble NYMPs had a significantly improved antioxidative activities compared to the reduced yellow Monascus pigments (RYMPs) that were chemically derived from orange or red Monascus pigments. Furthermore, NYMPs exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition activity on MCF-7 cell growth (p < 0.001). After a 48-h incubation, a 26.52% inhibition yield was determined with 32 μg/mL of NYMPs. NYMPs also significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells. Mechanisms of the activities were associated with a down-regulation of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor. Rather than being alternatively used as natural colorants or antioxidants, this work suggested that NYMPs could be selected as potential functional additives in further test of breast cancer prevention and adjuvant therapy.

Keywords: MCF-7 cells; antioxidation; invasion; migration; natural yellow Monascus pigments; water-soluble.

Figure 1

Cytotoxicity of water-soluble NYMPs on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells under different concentrations. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3).

Figure 2

Effects of water-soluble NYMPs on cell proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Cells were incubated with NYMPs for 24 and 48 h. NYMPs 4, NYMPs 8, NYMPs 16, and NYMPs 32 represents 4, 8, 16, and 32 μg/mL, respectively. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001 indicated statistically significant differences versus control group.

Figure 3

Effects of NYMPs on cell invasion of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (Magnification× 200). (A) Images of cells treated without NYMPs. (B) Image of cells treated with 10 μg/mL NYMPs. (C) Image of cells treated with 40 μg/mL NYMPs. (D) Invasion ability. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01 indicated statistically significant differences versus control group.

Figure 4

Effects of NYMPs on cell migration of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (Magnification× 200). (A) Image of cells treated without NYMPs. (B) Image of cells treated with 10 μg/mL NYMPs. (C) Image of cells treated with 40 μg/mL NYMPs. (D) Invasion ability. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01 indicated statistically significant differences versus control group.

Figure 5

Effects of NYMPs on cell migration of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (Magnification× 40). (A,B) Images of cells treated without NYMPs. (C,D) Images of cells treated with 10 μg/mL NYMPs. (E,F) Images of cells treated with 40 μg/mL of NYMPs. (G) Migrated ability. Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). ** p < 0.01 indicated statistically significant differences versus control group.

Figure 6

Effects of NYMPs on protein expression level of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF. (A) Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF, GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) as loading control; (B) Densitometric analyses of (A). Each value represents the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 indicated statistically significant differences versus control group.