Citrinin is a mycotoxin that has been found in
Monascus and has diverse biological activities.
1,2,3,4 It is active against
S. aureus, methicillin-resistant
S. aureus (MRSA), rifampicin-resistant
S. aureus, and vancomycin-resistant
E. faecium (MICs = 1.95, 3.9, 0.97, and 7.81 μg/ml, respectively), as well as the pathogenic yeast
C. neoformans (MIC = 3.9 μg/ml).
2 It is cytotoxic to a variety of cells
in vitro, including bovine kidney cells and mice embryonic stem cells.
4 Citrinin (30 μM) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, effects that can be blocked by the antioxidant resveratrol.
3 In contrast, citrinin reduces glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in primary rat cortical neurons at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 nM and inhibits LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells at 0.625 to 40 μM.
4 It is toxic to brine shrimp larvae (LD
50 = 96 μg/ml), as well as to rats and mice with oral LD
50 values of 50 and 87-105 mg/kg, respectively.
2,4 It induces reproductive abnormalities in male mice and toxic effects in the liver, kidney, heart, and gastrointestinal tracts of various animals.
4 Citrinin has been found in stored cereal grains, as well as beans, fruit, and herbs.