Impact of red yeast rice supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

2022-10-25
Expert review of clinical pharmacology 16(1)
- Parisa Rahmani
- Ebru Melekoglu
- Sogand Tavakoli
- Nasser Malekpour Alamdari
- Pejman Rohani
- Mohammad Hassan Sohouli

PubMed: 36259545
DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2138342

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Population: adults with dyslipidemia
Methods: Four comprehensive databases (SCOPUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were employed until 23 December 2021 RCTs, with 24 treatment arms included after screening 3623 articles
Duration: less than 12 weeks

Background

Dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia are among the risk factors for chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Red Yeast Rice (RYR) herbal supplement may be helpful in improving serum fat levels due to some mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RYR consumption on total serum cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels in adults.

Research design and methods

Four comprehensive databases (SCOPUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were employed until 23 December 2021 RCTs, with 24 treatment arms included after screening 3623 articles.

Results

Pooled data showed significant effectiveness in lowering TC (WMD: -33.16 mg/dl, 95% CI: -37.69, -28.63, P < 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: -28.94 mg/dl, 95% CI: -32.90, -24.99, P < 0.001), and TG (WMD: -23.36 mg/dl, 95% CI: -31.30, -15.43, P < 0.001) concentration and increasing HDL-C concentration (WMD: 2.49 mg/dl, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.49, P < 0.001) following RYR supplementation. Furthermore, the effect of this herbal drug in doses less than 1200 mg and with an intervention duration of less than 12 weeks was more in individuals with dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this comprehensive article and meta-analysis showed that RYR significantly decreases TC, TG, and LDL-C as well as increases HDL-C.

Research Insights

red yeast rice→Increased High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
increasing HDL-C concentration (WMD: 2.49 mg/dl, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.49, P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
less than 1200 mg
red yeast rice→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
significant effectiveness in lowering TC (WMD: -33.16 mg/dl, 95% CI: -37.69, -28.63, P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
less than 1200 mg
red yeast rice→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
significant effectiveness in lowering LDL-C (WMD: -28.94 mg/dl, 95% CI: -32.90, -24.99, P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
less than 1200 mg
red yeast rice→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
significant effectiveness in lowering TG (WMD: -23.36 mg/dl, 95% CI: -31.30, -15.43, P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
less than 1200 mg