TZU-MING PAN2018-09-102018-09-102014http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84901604322&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/384379Edible fungi of the Monascus species have been used as traditional Chinese medicine in eastern Asia for several centuries. Monascus-fermented products possess a number of functional secondary metabolites, including anti-inflammatory pigments (such as monascin and ankaflavin [AK]), monacolins, and dimerumic acid. These secondary metabolites have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities. We found that AK positively regulates several transcription factors associated with the prevention of metabolic syndrome and other diseases, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, PPAR-alpha, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). AK reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced pancreatic function via PPAR-gamma activation and increased lipid metabolism due to PPAR-alpha activation. The compound also exerted antioxidant effects via activation of Nrf2. These results suggest that AK belongs to the class of selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators (SPPARMs), which are associated with a good safety profile when used in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. Together with our studies to determine how AK production can be increased during Monascus fermentation, these data demonstrate the great potential of AK as a nutraceutical or therapeutic agent. ? 2014 Springer-Verlag.Ankaflavin; Metabolic syndrome; Monascus; Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2); Selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators (SPPARMs)[SDGs]SDG2[SDGs]SDG3Chemical activation; Cytology; Metabolites; Ankaflavin; Metabolic syndromes; Monascus; Nuclear factors; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; Metabolism; ankaflavin; antidiabetic agent; antihypertensive agent; antiinflammatory agent; antineoplastic agent; antioxidant; apolipoprotein A1; cholesterol; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase kinase; liver X receptor alpha; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma agonist; transcription factor Nrf2; triacylglycerol; unclassified drug; ankaflavin; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha; pigment; riboflavin derivative; edible species; fermentation; fungus; metabolism; secondary metabolite; traditional medicine; tumor; antihypertensive activity; antiinflammatory activity; antineoplastic activity; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; carbon nuclear magnetic resonance; Chinese medicine; cholesterol blood level; diabetes mellitus; drug isolation; drug purification; fungus isolation; high performance liquid chromatography; human; immunomodulation; metabolic syndrome X; Monascus; Monascus purpureus; nonalcoholic fatty liver; nonhuman; obesity; pancreas function; proton nuclear magnetic resonance; short survey; thin layer chromatography; triacylglycerol blood level; agonists; animal; chemistry; disease model; isolation and purification; metabolic syndrome X; Monascus; treatment outcome; Asia; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Flavins; Metabolic Syndrome X; Monascus; Pigments, Biological; PPAR alpha; Treatment Outcomejournal article10.1007/s00253-014-5716-5