Protective effect of the mold Monascus anka against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity in rats.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of the mold Monascus anka (also called Beni-Koji in Japan) against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced liver toxicity were investigated. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities increased by AAP (180 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment were depressed when the Beni-Koji preparation (4 ml/kg, i.p.) was given 15 and 1 hr before AAP administration. The decrease in liver cytosolic GST activity by AAP, reflecting the release of the enzyme into serum, was also blocked by the mold. Cytochrome P450 activity was inhibited by the Beni-Koji preparation. These results suggest that M. anka prevents AAP-induced liver toxicity by both antioxidant action and the inhibition of AAP metabolism.