Anti-Atherosclerotic Activity of (3<i>R</i>)-5-Hydroxymellein from an Endophytic Fungus <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> JS-0968 Derived from <i>Vitex rotundifolia</i> through the Inhibition of Lipoproteins Oxidation and Foam Cell Formation

An endophytic fungus, <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> JS-0968, was isolated from a plant, <i>Vitex rotundifolia</i>. The chemical investigation of its cultures led to the isolation of a secondary metabolite, (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein. It has been reported to have antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity, but there have been no previous reports on the effects of (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein on atherosclerosis. The oxidation of lipoproteins and foam cell formation have been known to be significant in the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated the inhibitory effects of (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein on atherosclerosis through low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) oxidation and macrophage foam cell formation. LDL and HDL oxidation were determined by measuring the production of conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde, the amount of hyperchromicity and carbonyl content, conformational changes, and anti-LDL oxidation. In addition, the inhibition of foam cell formation was measured by Oil red O staining. As a result, (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein suppressed the oxidation of LDL and HDL through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the decrease of negative charges, the reduction of hyperchromicity and carbonyl contents, and the prevention of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) aggregation and apoB-100 fragmentation. Furthermore, (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein significantly reduced foam cell formation induced by oxidized LDL (oxLDL). Taken together, our data show that (3<i>R</i>)-5-hydroxymellein could be a potential preventive agent for atherosclerosis via obvious anti-LDL and HDL oxidation and the inhibition of foam cell formation.