Beneficial effects of pigment from Monascus purpureus as an alternative treatment in preventing atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia and lipid modificaction Rezaei Marzieh, Roghanian Rasoul, Nahvi Iraj, Moshtaghian Jamal Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. *E-mail of corresponding author: Rasoul_roghanian@yahoo.co.uk
Online published on 9 November, 2012. Abstract Monascus purpureus is a filamentous fungus which produces secondary metabolites e.g. pigments used for colouring besides therapeutic and medicinal values. The current study was conducted to examine the efficacy of pigment in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the rats sera. Pigment of Monascus purpureus was produced through submerged fermentation under the conditions: pH 6–7, agitation 200–300 r.p.m, temperature 25 - 30°C for 5–7 days. The experimental groups were treated with Monascus purpureus pigment. Then, the level of cholesterol and triglyceride were measured after two weeks pigment regimen. The results showed that cholesterol level in rat's sera were reduced down to 48.4% and 45.5% in comparison with control group. Also, the analysis of variance indicated that the effect of the M. purpureus pigment on the triglyceride in hypercholesterolemic rats was significantly different from the control group at the same week. Top Keywords Monascus purpureus, Atherosclerosis, Pigment, hypercholesterolemia, lipid modification. Top |