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Red mold dioscorea: a potentially safe traditional function food for the treatment of hyperlipidemia

Chien-Li Chen1, Tzu-Ming Pan

  • 1Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.

Food Chemistry
|October 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Monascus-fermented products, like red mold dioscorea (RMD), do not increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when taken with lovastatin. This study found no evidence of liver or kidney toxicity from RMD, even at high doses.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Nutraceuticals
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Rhabdomyolysis is a serious side effect associated with statin medications.
  • Monascus-fermented products, including red mold dioscorea (RMD), contain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential interactions between RMD and statins, specifically lovastatin, and their impact on muscle health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential interaction between Monascus-fermented products (RMD) and lovastatin.
  • To evaluate the risk of rhabdomyolysis when RMD and lovastatin are co-administered.
  • To assess the safety profile of RMD concerning liver and kidney toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Hyperlipidemic hamsters were administered lovastatin alone, lovastatin with RMD, or RMD alone.
  • Creatinine phosphokinase levels were measured to assess for rhabdomyolysis.
  • Literature review was conducted to identify existing evidence on RMD-induced toxicity.

Main Results:

  • Administration of RMD, alone or with lovastatin, did not exacerbate pre-existing disease conditions in hamsters.
  • No significant rhabdomyolysis was observed, as indicated by creatinine phosphokinase levels.
  • No studies were found implicating RMD in liver or kidney toxicity.
  • High dosages of RMD, including HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, did not increase rhabdomyolysis risk.

Conclusions:

  • Monascus-fermented products, specifically red mold dioscorea (RMD), do not appear to increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis when used concurrently with lovastatin.
  • RMD demonstrates a safe profile, with no observed liver or kidney toxicity, even at high doses.
  • The findings suggest that RMD can be safely consumed, even by individuals using statin medications like lovastatin.

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