Chinese Red Yeast Rice Research Articles

Annual Report 2022 of Current Applied Science and Technology

In the year 2022, the journal published 90 articles in Vol. 22 Nos. 1-6. There are 9 articles from KMITL, 31 articles from outside KMITL and 50 articles from overseas. Comparison of manuscripts submitted for publication in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are shown in Figure 1. The number of manuscripts submitted increased from 244 in the year 2020 to 374 and 382 articles in the year 2021 and 2022, respectively while the acceptance rates in 2020-2022 are 27.89%, 15.95% and 10.84%. The top ten countries of authors submitting manuscripts to be published in the journal in 2022 are shown in Figure 2, where Thailand (28.43%), India (19.44%) and Indonesia (12.58%) are among the top three countries. Figure 3 shows the average duration process for publication during 2020-2022. The average duration processes from received to accepted dates are 110.91, 162.98 and 199.82 days in 2020, 2021, 2022, respectively. Due to the change of the submission system in 2021 and 2022, average duration process was much longer than in 2020. The subject area and category of published articles in 2022 according to SJR are in 3 categories: 1) Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous) and Agronomy and Crop Science), 2) Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Biotechnology) and 3) Environmental Science (Environmental Engineering). Scopus cite score and SCImago journal rank of the journal in 2020-2022 are shown in Figure 4. The cite score increased from 0.3 in 2020 to 1.1 in 2022 (last update on 6 Dec 2020). However, SCImago journal rank in 2022 has not been reported yet. In addition, the most cited article in Scopus is “Chicken Feathers Based Keratin Extraction Process Data Analysis Using Response Surface-Box-Behnken Design Method and Characterization of Keratin product” published in 2020 followed by “Characterization, Functionality and Antioxidant Activity of Water-Soluble Proteins Extracted from Bombyx Mori Linn.” published in 2018 and “Antimicrobial Activity of Edible Electrospun Chitosan/Cellulose Acetate/Gelatin Hybrid Nanofiber Mats incorporating Eugenol” published in 2019. The most cited article in TCI is “Antibacterial Activity of Crude Ethanolic Extracts and Essential Oils of Spices Against Salmonellae and Other Enterobacteria” published in 2005 followed by “Preparation of Red Yeast Rice Using Various Thai Glutinnous and Monascus purpureus CMU001 Isolated from Commercial Chinese Red Yeast Rice Sample” published in 2007 and “Importance of Aflatoxins” published in 2002.

Xuezhikang alleviates lipid accumulation via AMPK activation in hepatocellular steatosis model

Xuezhikang (XZK) is an extract of Chinese red yeast rice. It has multiple protective effects in cardiovascular systems. However, the underlying mechanism by which XZK affects free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipogenesis in hepatocellular steatosis model is still unknown. Herein, we investigated this mechanism in HepG2 cells. The HepG2 cells were treated with palmitate acid (PA) to induce lipogenesis. Then the PA-induced HepG2 cells were subsequently treated with XZK. After 24 h of treatment, we determined the intracellular triglyceride (TG) contents and average areas of lipid droplets. To study the involvement of AMPK signaling pathway, we pre-treated the PA-induced HepG2 cells with Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, before XZK treatment. Expressions of p-AMPK and AMPK were determined by Western blot. The results showed that XZK decreased TG content and lipid accumulation in hepatocellular steatosis model. Compound C abolished the effects of XZK. These results demonstrated for the first time that XZK protects hepatocytes against lipid accumulation induced by free fatty acids. Its effects may be mediated by the activation of AMPK pathway.

Efficacy and safety of xuezhikang once per day versus two times per day in patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia (APEX study): a protocol for a multicentre, prospective randomised controlled, open-label, non-inferiority study

IntroductionReduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) improves clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. However, rates of lipid-lowering medication adherence are far from ideal. Reducing dosage frequency from multiple...

Xuezhikang contributes to greater triglyceride reduction than simvastatin in hypertriglyceridemia rats by up-regulating apolipoprotein A5 via the PPARα signaling pathway.

Xuezhikang (XZK), an extract of Chinese red yeast rice, is recommended as an optimal choice for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) with markedly elevated triglyceride (TG) levels. This study was designed to compare the hypotriglyceridemic effects between XZK and simvastatin. The role of apolipoprotein A5 (apoA5), a key regulator of TG metabolism and a target gene of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), was to be identified in XZK-related hypotriglyceridemic actions. For these goals, hypertriglyceridemia of rats was induced by a high-fructose diet. In order to investigate the hypotriglyceridemic effects of XZK and simvastatin on these animals based on an equivalent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering power, we titrated their doses (XZK 80 mg/kg/d versus simvastatin 1 mg/kg/d) according to plasma LDL-C reduction of rats. Similarly, we titrated the target doses of the two agents (XZK 500 μg/ml versus simvastatin 10 μM) according to hepatocyte LDL receptor expressions, and then compared the effects of the two agents on TG and apoA5 of hepatocytes in vitro. Our results showed that XZK (80 mg/kg/d) had higher hypotriglyceridemic performance than simvastatin (1 mg/kg/d) on these animals albeit their equivalent LDL-C lowering power. Higher plasma apoA5 levels and hepatic apoA5 expressions were observed in rats treated with XZK (80 mg/kg/d) than simvastatin (1 mg/kg/d). Further, XZK (80 mg/kg/d) contributed to higher hepatic PPARα expressions of rats than simvastatin (1 mg/kg/d). Although the two agents led to an equivalent up-regulation of LDL receptors of hepatocytes, more TG reduction and apoA5 elevation were detected in hepatocytes treated with XZK (500 μg/ml) than simvastatin (10 μM). However, PPARα knockdown eliminated the above effects of XZK on hepatocytes. Therefore, our study indicates that XZK has greater hypotriglyceridemic performance than simvastatin in the setting of an equivalent LDL-C lowering power, which is attributed to more apoA5 up-regulation by this agent via the PPARα signaling pathway.

Application of the ultrafiltration-based LC-MS approach for screening PTP1B inhibitors from Chinese red yeast rice

Ultrafiltration-based affinity selection mass spectrometry was utilized to rapidly screen potential PTP1B inhibitors in Chinese red yeast rice.

Chinese red yeast rice attenuates the development of angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis

ObjectiveAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease characterized by medial degradation and inflammation. No medical approaches have been validated for treating AAA, and therapeutic options are limited to regular surveillance leading to surgical intervention. This study aimed to investigate whether administration of Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus; RYR) suppressed angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAA and atherosclerosis. Methods and ResultsApolipoprotein E-deficient male mice fed a normal diet were administered either RYR extract (200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle by gavage for 1 week before initiating AngII infusion (1000 ng/kg/min) via subcutaneous osmotic pumps for 28 days. Red yeast rice extract administration significantly suppressed AngII-induced expansion of suprarenal diameter and area (P<.05). Furthermore, RYR extract significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion areas in both the intima of aortic arches and cross sections of aortic roots (P<.05). These effects were associated with reductions of serum total cholesterol, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and increases of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor, but no changes in serum interleukin (IL) 1α, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, MMP-9 and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in aortic walls. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that RYR extract administration suppressed AngII-induced AAA and atherosclerosis associated with regulating inflammation responses independent of lipid-lowering effects. Red yeast rice may have preventive potential for patients with AAA.

Chinese Red Yeast Rice Inhibition of Prostate Tumor Growth in SCID Mice

Prostate cancer is a slowly developing but very common cancer in males that may be amenable to preventive strategies that are not toxic. Chinese red yeast rice (RYR), a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast on white rice, contains a mixture of eight different monacolins that inhibit cholesterogenesis in addition to red pigments with antioxidant properties. Monacolin K is identical to lovastatin (LV), but LV unlike RYR can be used in individuals intolerant to statins due to muscle pain. Both LV and RYR inhibit de novo cholesterogenesis, which is critical to the growth of tumor cells. Long-term use of statin drugs has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We have previously shown that RYR inhibited androgen-dependent and androgen receptor-overexpressing androgen-independent prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro. This study was designed to determine whether RYR and LV inhibit prostate tumor growth in SCID mice. RYR significantly reduced tumor volumes of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate xenograft tumors compared with animals receiving vehicle alone (P < 0.05). Inhibition by RYR was greater than that observed with LV at the dose found in RYR, showing that other compounds in RYR contributed to the antiproliferative effect. There was a significant correlation of tumor volume to serum cholesterol (P < 0.001). RYR decreased gene expression of androgen synthesizing enzymes (HSD3B2, AKR1C3, and SRD5A1) in both type of tumors (P < 0.05). Clinical studies of RYR for prostate cancer prevention in the increasing population of men undergoing active surveillance should be considered.

Lipid-Lowering Efficacy of Red Yeast Rice in a Population Intolerant to Statins

Chinese red yeast rice is a dietary supplement containing monacolins, unsaturated fatty acids, and phytosterols capable of lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Few studies have reported on its use in clinical practice or in statin-intolerant patients. We reviewed approximately 1,400 clinical charts and identified 25 patients treated with red yeast rice for > or =4 weeks. The patients were included if they had pre- and post-treatment lipid levels without simultaneous changes in other lipid-lowering medications. These patients had experienced myalgias (68%), gastrointestinal intolerance (16%), and/or elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (8%) with previous use of other lipid-lowering agents. The total cholesterol decreased 15% (-37 +/- 26 mg/dl, p <0.001) and LDL cholesterol decreased 21% (-35 +/- 25 mg/dl, p <0.001) during 74 +/- 39 days of treatment. Most (92%) patients tolerated the treatment, and many (56%) achieved their LDL cholesterol goal. In patients unable to tolerate daily statin use, the total cholesterol level decreased 13% (-33 +/- 10 mg/dl, p <0.001) and LDL cholesterol decreased 19% (-31 +/- 4 mg/dl, p <0.001). In conclusion, red yeast rice modestly decreased total and LDL cholesterol, was well-tolerated, and was an acceptable alternative in patients intolerant of other lipid-lowering medications.

Chinese Red Yeast Rice inhibits tumor growth and downregulates expression of genes for androgen and cholesterol biosynthesis in human prostate cancer xenografts in SCID mice

Statin use has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Chinese Red Yeast Rice (RYR) is a traditional food spice containing a family of eight monacolins one of which (monacolin K) is identical to lovastatin. The effects of 5% RYR in the diet on the growth of androgen‐dependent (LNCaP) and androgen‐independent (LNCaP‐AR) prostate cancer xenografts in SCID mice over 8 wks was examined. The expression of genes regulating androgen biosynthesis and cholesterogenesis were determined by quantitative real time PCR. RYR inhibited both androgen‐dependent and ‐independent prostate tumor xenograft growth by 54% and 40 %, respectively (P&lt;0.05). RYR downregulated HSD3B2, AKR1C3 and SRD5A1 genes for androgen synthesis more than two fold in both tumor xenografts (p&lt;0.05). RYR also downregulated HMGCR and SREBP‐2 genes involved in de novo cholesterogenesis (P&lt;0.05). RYR downregulated androgen receptor gene expression only in androgen‐independent xenografts (P&lt;0.05). Androgens are known to increase the growth of prostate cancer xenografts but this is the first study to demonstrate that RYR inhibits tumor growth and gene expression for both cholesterol biosynthesis and androgen biosynthesis. These studies demonstrate one of several possible pathways of RYR action in prostate cancer and suggest potential biomarkers for human studies. Supported by the UCLA CNRU CA 42710 and DOD W81XWH‐07‐1‐0158.

Health Benefits and Clinical Impact of Major Nutrient, Red Yeast Rice: A Review

Chinese red yeast rice (RYR), a natural food obtained after fermenting rice with Monascus purpureus. RYR contains unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, B-complex vitamins and monacolins with antioxidant properties. Scientific evidences showed that fermented RYR proved to be effective for the management of cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and also for the prevention of cancer. This review article describe about the usage of RYR in human being.

Chinese Red Yeast Rice Versus Lovastatin Effects on Prostate Cancer Cells With and Without Androgen Receptor Overexpression

Chinese red yeast rice (RYR), a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast on white rice, contains a mixture of eight different monacolins that inhibit cholesterogenesis and also red pigments with antioxidant properties. Monacolin K (MK) is identical to lovastatin (LV). Both LV and RYR contain statins, which could inhibit de novo cholesterogenesis, which is critical to the growth of tumor cells. Dysregulation of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway has been demonstrated during progression to androgen independence in xenograft models, and it has been proposed that cholesterogenesis and androgen receptor (AR) up-regulation are essential to androgen-independent cell survival. This study was designed to examine the differences between the effects of RYR and LV on androgen-dependent LNCaP cells and androgen-independent cells overexpressing AR (LNCaP-AR). RYR showed more potent inhibition effect on prostate cancer cell growth compared to LV. Both the pigment and monacolin-enriched fractions purified from RYR inhibited proliferation (P < .001) to a lesser extent than intact RYR. While mevalonate, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), restored proliferation in LV-treated cells, it failed to do so in RYR-treated cells. Expression of the HMGCR gene was up-regulated by LV (P < .001) but not RYR in both LNCaP and LNCaP-AR cells. These results suggest that the RYR matrix beyond MK alone may be bioactive in inhibiting androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer growth. In vivo studies are needed to further establish the potential advantages of RYR over LV in prostate cancer chemoprevention and in the prevention of the emergence of androgen independence.

CHINESE MEDICINE (CM) matters

CHINESE MEDICINE (CM) matters

The presence and the content of Monacolins in Red Yeast rice prepared from Thai glutinous rice

Red yeast rice which is a product of solid fermentation was prepared from several kinds of Thai glutinous rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Korkor 6 (RD6), Kam (Kam), and Sanpatong1 (SPT1). Monascus purpureus CMU001 isolated from available Chinese red yeast rice was used as the fermentation starter. The analysis for the presence and the content of monacolins, the cholesterol-lowering compounds, were carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The presence of the monacolins was confirmed by the retention time of the reference compounds and LC-MS. The results were compared to those obtained from the Chinese red yeast rice and Thai non-glutinous rice (O. sativa L. cv. Mali105). The chromatograms show the presence of monacolin K acid form (MKA), compactin (P1), monacolin M acid form (MMA), monacolin K (MK), monacolin M (MM), and dehydromonacolin K (DMK). A large peak of a compound with the molecular weight of 358 was also detected but could not be identified. The amount of two important monacolins, compactin, and monacolin K, were determined. It was found that the highest amount of compactin and monacolin K were 21.98 and 33.79 mg/g, respectively, when using Thai rice varity O. sativa L. cv. RD6 which was fermented without adding soybean milk.

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AUSTRALIA — UWA Researchers Link New Gene to Osteoporosis. AUSTRALIA — Australian Surgeons Save Unborn Baby's Leg. CHINA — China Honors IRRI for Contributions to Food Security and Science. CHINA — Chinese Red Yeast Rice Extract Reduces Repeat Heart Attacks/Mortality Rates. CHINA — Cholesterol Absorbing Mechanism Unveiled. CHINA — Academia Sinica and BASF to Develop Rice Strains. HONG KONG — Hong Kong Scientists Make New Bird Flu Breakthrough. INDIA — Mirrus Opens India R&amp;D center. INDIA — United States Launches Rs 580 million Health Initiative in India. INDIA — IBSD to Analyze Herb with Cancer Curing Property. INDIA — Rare Heart Surgery at Delhi Hospital. JAPAN — First Optical Pacemaker: Laser Controls Beating Of Heart Muscle Cells in Cell Culture. SINGAPORE — Singapore-led Team Starts S$3.5 Million Liver Cancer Clinical Trial. SINGAPORE — Wealth of Genomic Hotspots Discovered in Embryonic Stem Cells. SINGAPORE — Scientists Identify Genetic Regulator of Colon Cancer and Develop a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Colon Cancer Treatment. SINGAPORE — First Confirmed Common Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Uncovered by Genome Institute of Singapore and Partners in international Breast Cancer Association Collaboration.

Effects of xuezhikang on proliferation and adhesion capacity of cultured endothelial progenitor cells: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) might be useful in the management of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of xuezhikang, an extract of Chinese red yeast rice, on the proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs from the peripheral blood of patients with stable CAD. METHODS: Mononuclear cells from 20 Chinese patients (14 men, 6 women; mean [SD] age, 64.5 [2.8] years [range, 60–69 years]) were isolated using densitygradient centrifugation. After 4 days in culture, the attached cells were treated with different concentrations of xuezhikang (50, 125, 250, and 500 ng/mL; 20 samples/group), atorvastatin (10 ng/mL; n = 20), or phosphate-buffered saline (control, n = 20) for 3 days. Cells that were positive for 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein and lectin were defined as EPCs. They were counted by 2 independent investigators in ≥4 randomly selected highpower fields per well. EPCs were then treated and adherent cells were counted by the independent investigators who were blinded to study drug administration. RESULTS: The mean (SD) number of cultured EPCs in the xuezhikang 50-, 125-, 250-, and 500-ng/mL groups (205 [28], 244 [31], 283 [42], and 334 [43] cells, respectively; all, P < 0.001) was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (167 [36] cells). The adhesion capacity of the EPCs was significantly greater in the 4 xuezhikang groups (51 [9], 62 [10], 71 [11], and 83 [12] cells; all, P < 0.001) when compared with that of the control group (41 [7] cells). Both the number of EPCs (327 [49] cells) and the number of adhesive EPCs (84 [15] cells) in the atorvastatin group were also significantly increased compared with the control group (both, P < 0.001); however, these increases were not significantly different from those in the xuezhikang 500-ng/mL group. CONCLUSIONS: Xuezhikang was associated with significantly enhanced proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs derived from the peripheral blood of these patients with stable CAD. These effects were not significantly different between xuezhikang and atorvastatin.

Anticancer effects of Chinese red yeast rice versus monacolin K alone on colon cancer cells

Chinese red yeast rice (RYR) is a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast with white rice. RYR contains a mixture of monacolins, one of which — monacolin K (MK) — is identical to lovastatin (LV). Epidemiological studies show that individuals taking statins have a reduced risk of colon cancer. In the present study, LV decreased cellular proliferation ( P<.001) and induced apoptosis ( P<.05) in HCT-116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. RYR inhibited both tumor cell growths ( P<.001) and enhanced apoptosis ( P<.05) in HCT-116 cells. Inhibition of proliferation was reversed by mevalonate (MV) in LV-treated cells, since LV is a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibitor. However, RYR with MV did not reverse the observed inhibition of growth. MK-free RYR did not reverse the observed LV-mediated inhibition of cancer cell growth. These observations suggest that other components in RYR, including other monacolins, pigments or the combined matrix effects of multiple constituents, may affect intracellular signaling pathways differently from purified crystallized LV in colon cancer cells. RYR was purified into two fractions: pigment-rich fraction of Chinese red yeast rice (PF-RYR) and monacolin-rich fraction of Chinese red yeast rice (MF-RYR). The effect of MF-RYR was similar to that of LV, while the effect of PF-RYR was similar to the effect of the whole RYR extract on the proliferation, apoptosis and mRNA level of HMGCR and sterol response element binding protein-2. These results suggest that the matrix effects of RYR beyond MK alone may be active in inhibiting colon cancer growth. RYR with or without MK may be a botanical approach to colon cancer chemoprevention worthy of further investigation.

Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, decreases plasma inflammatory markers and endothelin-1, improve exercise-induced ischemia and subjective feelings in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Previous studies have demonstrated that Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, available from Chinese red yeast rice, could effectively modify lipid profile. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether Xuezhikang could modify endothelin-1 (ET-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and exercise-induced ischemia in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). Thirty-six patients with CSX were randomly assigned to 1200 mg/d of Xuezhikang or placebo group ( n = 18 respectively). Blood samples were drawn at day 0 and day 90 for measuring above parameters. The treadmill exercise tests and subjective feelings were also assessed at day 0 and day 90. The data showed that Xuezhikang therapy resulted in significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC, 19%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (26%), and triglycerides (TG) compared with baseline (16%, p < 0.01 respectively). The data also showed that Xuezhikang led significantly to reductions in median and log-CRP levels (38% and 44%, p < 0.01 respectively), IL-6 (20%, p < 0.01), and ET-1 (47%, p < 0.01) compared with baseline. The exercise duration, and time to 1 mm ST-segment depression was significantly prolonged after Xuezhikang therapy (9% and 6%, p < 0.05 respectively) accompanied by improvement of subjective feelings. Data suggested that the benefit of Xuezhikang resulted in significant modification vascular function by reduction of ET-1, inflammatory markers and LDL cholesterol, which may be clinically important for patients with CSX.

Chinese red yeast rice (CRYR) inhibits proliferation and stimulates apoptosis in both COX‐2 expressing and non‐expressing human colon cancer cells via inhibition of cholesterogenesis

De novo cholesterogenesis and inflammation are both critical steps in colon carcinogenesis. In population-based studies, statin drug consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Statins are also known to have anti-inflammatory actions which could contribute to their activity in both heart disease and colon cancer prevention. CRYR contains nine Monacolins one of which is lovastatin (MonacolinK). We have studied CRYR in humans demonstrating cholesterol-lowering and have been interested in their potential use for chemoprevention of colon cancer. To determine whether, the primary mechanisms of CRYR in colon cancer was via inhibition of inflammation and/or cholesterogenesis, two human colon cancer cell lines either with (HT-29) or without (HCT-116) expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) were treated with CRYR extract (0 to 300 ug/ml) for 24, 48 or 72 h. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using the MTT cell viability assay and TUNEL assay. CRYR treatment (50 ug/ml) for 72 h resulted in 54 % and 44 % of suppression in proliferation in HCT-116 (p<0.001) and HT-29 (p<0.001), respectively. The IC50 on proliferation was 51.6 in HCT-116 and 58.9 in HT-29 cells in the same time point. Apoptosis was enhanced with 48 h incubation of CRYR (100 ug/ml) in both cell lines (p<0.05). The present results demonstrate that CRYR inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis regardless of the expression of COX-2. Studies in transgenic animals and humans will be needed to confirm that CRYR inhibits colon cancer risk primarily via inhibition of de novo cholesterogenesis. Fund: UCLA CNRU CA 42710.

The Quantification of Monacolin K in Some Red Yeast Rice from Fujian Province and the Comparison of the Other Product

When used as a dietary supplement to achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels,Chinese red yeast rice has significant potential to reduce health care costs and contribute to public health by reducing heart disease risk in individuals with moderate elevations of circulating cholesterol levels. Red yeast rice is typical product in Mingbei area of Fujian province. Nine products from different area were measured, using high-performance chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detector (PDA) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS) and the results show that the contents of monacolin K in these products were considerably different, and more than the other product.

Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) for primary hyperlipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Extracts of Chinese red yeast rice (RYR, a traditional dietary seasoning of Monascus purpureus) contains several active ingredients including lovastatin, and several trials of its possible lipid-lowering effects have been conducted. This meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness and safety of RYR preparations on lipid modification in primary hyperlipidemia. We included randomized controlled trials testing RYR preparation, compared with placebo, no treatment, statins, or other active lipid-lowering agents in people with hyperlipidemia through searching PubMed, CBMdisk, TCMLARS, the Cochrane Library, and AMED up to December 2004. Ninety-three randomized trials (9625 participants) were included and three RYR preparations (Cholestin, Xuezhikang and Zhibituo) were tested. The methodological quality of trial reports was generally low in terms of generation of the allocation sequence, allocation concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat. The combined results showed significant reduction of serum total cholesterol levels (weighted mean difference -0.91 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval -1.12 to -0.71), triglycerides levels (-0.41 mmol/L, -0.6 to -0.22), and LDL-cholesterol levels (-0.73 mmol/L, -1.02 to -0.043), and increase of HDL-cholesterol levels (0.15 mmol/L, 0.09 to 0.22) by RYR treatment compared with placebo. The lipid modification effects appeared to be similar to pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, or fluvastatin. Compared with non-statin lipid lowering agents, RYR preparations appeared superior to nicotinate and fish oils, but equal to or less effective than fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. No significant difference in lipid profile was found between Xuezhikang and Zhibituo. RYR preparations were associated with non-serious adverse effects such as dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort. Current evidence shows short-term beneficial effects of RYR preparations on lipid modification. More rigorous trials are needed, and long-term effects and safety should be investigated if RYR preparations are to be recommended as one of the alternative treatments for primary hyperlipidemia.