Monascuspiloin is a fungal metabolite that has been found in M. pilosus M93-fermented rice.1 It induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Monascuspiloin (15-45 µM) decreases viability of PC3 cells and has an additive effect on the reduction in viability of PC3 cells induced by irradiation when used at a concentration of 25 µM. It induces intratumor apoptosis and autophagy and reduces tumor growth in a PC3 mouse xenograft model when administered at doses of 40 and 120 mg/kg.2
1.Chiu, H.-W., Fang, W.-H., Chen, Y.-L., et al.Monascuspiloin enhances the radiation sensitivity of human prostate cancer cells by stimulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and inducing autophagyPLoS One7(7)e40462(2012) 2.Chen, R.-J., Hung, C.-M., Chen, Y.-L., et al.Monascuspiloin induces apoptosis and autophagic cell death in human prostate cancer cells via the Akt and AMPK signaling pathwaysJ. Agric. Food Chem.60(29)7185-7193(2012)