Cytotoxic monacolin analogs from Monascus purpureus -fermented rice.

Two new monacolin analogs, monacolins O (1) and P (2), along with three known analogs, have been isolated from the ethanolic extract ofMonascus purpureus-fermented rice. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR and CD spectral analyses as well as chemical method. Both1and2were tested against five tumor cell lines, and compound1exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against A2780 and A549 cell lines, with IC50values of 3.7 and 8.0 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]