Red Yeast Rice: A Systematic Review of the Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Quality Control of an Important Chinese Folk Medicine

Abstract

Red yeast rice (RYR), a Chinese traditional folk medicine produced by the fermentation of cooked rice kernels with a Monascaceae mold, Monascus purpureus, has long been used to treat blood circulation stasis, indigestion, diarrhea, and limb weakness in East Asian countries. This article provides a systematic review of the traditional uses, chemistry, biological activities, and toxicology of RYR to highlight its future prospects in the field of medicine. The literature reviewed for this article was obtained from the Web of Science, Elsevier, SciFinder, PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, as well as Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, published prior to July 2019. More than 101 chemical constituents have been isolated from RYR, mainly consisting of monacolins, pigments, organic acids, sterols, decalin derivatives, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other compounds. Crude extracts of RYR, as well as its isolated compounds, possess broad pharmacological properties with hypolipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-cancer, neurocytoprotective, anti-osteoporotic, anti-fatigue, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive activities. However, further studies are needed to characterize its diverse chemical constituents and the toxicological actions of the main bioactive compounds. New pharmacological trials addressing the overlooked traditional uses of RYR, such as in the treatment of indigestion and diarrhea, are required.

Effective Dose of Rhizoma Coptidis Extract Granules for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

“…In addition, diabetes is associated with several macro- and micro-vascular diseases. To increase blood circulation and prevent vascular complications, a blood regulation formula, including San-Qi, LipoCol Forte Capsules, Bu-Yang-Huan-Wu-Tang, or Dan-Shen, is commonly co-prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes ( Figure 3 ) ( Ng, 2006 ; Jia et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ; Zhu et al, 2019 ). Because type 2 diabetes mellitus frequently co-exists with osteoarthritis ( Veronese et al, 2019 ), Gui-Lu-Er-Xian-Jiao is often given to support the kidney yin and yang for patients with diabetes.…”

Natural Bioactive Compounds Useful in Clinical Management of Metabolic Syndrome

“…Thanks to this mechanism of action, it is called “natural statin”. Red yeast rice is also rich in pigments, organic acids, flavonoids, and natural phytosterols that contribute to the lipid-lowering action [ 251 , 252 ], namely reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C and TG. These results suggest that red yeast rice is an excellent oral food supplement without side effects, useful for the treatment of dyslipidemia, in particular in subjects intolerant to statins [ 253 ].…”

“…Pharmacokinetic studies propose that red yeast rice monacolin K exhibits poor bioavailability after oral administration, less than 5%. This is mainly due to an important intestinal and hepatic metabolism [ 251 ]. However, the monacolin K bioavailability would appear to be higher if assumed through the food matrix than as oral food supplement.…”

A Review of Red Yeast Rice, a Traditional Fermented Food in Japan and East Asia: Its Characteristic Ingredients and Application in the Maintenance and Improvement of Health in Lipid Metabolism and the Circulatory System

“…It has also been reported that fermented rice bran with Monascus increases phenolic acid and enhances antioxidant activity [ 21 , 22 ]. In addition, organic acids, amino acids, sterols, decalin compound derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, terpenoids, and polysaccharides are reported as components contained in red yeast rice [ 23 ].…”