The Effects Of Red Yeast Rice Compound On Hyperlipidemia In Singapore

Hyperlipidemia is a dangerous deposition of cholesterol on the walls of arteries,causes the arterial walls become thickening and the blood vessels become narrowing.This condition called atherosclerosis(AS).These plaques can reduce blood flow through the arteries and can cause elevation of blood pressure(hypertension),heart attack,heart failure,cerebral vascular disorder and stroke.Poor supply of blood and nutrition can worsen the function of pancreas and kidneys which may lead to diabetes mellitus and kidney failure.The Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has its own interpretation of causes as well as treatment of hyperlipidemia.The aid of TCM herb for high cholesterols and triglycides in the blood is to treat the "phlegm" and"fat" in the circulation,and to improve the "wet-heat and blood stasis" pathogeneses which weaken the liver,spleen and kidney system.Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of a new red yeast rice(Hong Qu)compound preparation in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in Singapore.Methods:The patients(56 cases)with hyperlipidemia were divided into treatment group(28 cases)and control group(28 cases).The patients in the treatment group(Group A)were orally administered with red yeast rice(Hongqu)compound Capsule 380mg/capsule(combination of Monascus Purpureus Went 200mg,Semen Cassiae 80mg,Fructus Crataegi 40mg,Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis 40mg,and Folium Nelumbinis 20mg),which laboratory analysis indicated that there are 3.2mg of Monacolin-K in the compound.2 capsules at night,and the patients in control group(Group B)were orally administered with Lovastatin(contains Monacolin-K 10mg/tab)1 table at night daily.The course of the treatment was 8 weeks.The clinical efficacy and safety were monitoring during this period of time.Fasting blood tests performed on Total Cholesterol(TC),Triglycerides(TG),High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol(HDL-C),Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol(LDL-C),blood sugar,Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT),Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST)before and after the administration of medicines.Results:8 weeks after treatment,TC,TG,LDL-C and TC/HDL-C were decreased manifestly after treatment in both group A and B with no significant different(P>0.05).The HDL-C levels were elevated in both groups(P>0.05).The findings of the TC,HDL-C,TC/HDL,LDL-C&TG of the Treatment Group(Group A)and the Control Group(Group B)before treatment were 248.11±25.05;53.43±8.57;4.72±0.95;161.61±25.44;158.21±52.28,and 204.18±15.72;60.36±9.25;3.59±0.60;124.29±17.96;125.50±33.61 respectively.The findings of these 2 groups after treatment were:204.18±15.72;60.36±9.25;3.59±0.60;124.29±17.96;125.50±33.6 land 202.36 ±22.87;59.18±12.98;3.63±0.91;120.71±19.61;129.46+62.46 respectively.There was no relative impairment of hepatic function(normal ALT&AST levels)and other adverse effects related with clinical drugs observed in the trial.Conclusion:The results showed that the treatment of hyerlipidemia by Hongqu compound is equally good as western medicine Lovastatin.Hongqu compound capsule can obviously improve the condition of high cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the hyperlipidemia patients as well as the "phlegm" and "fat" condition in their circulation.No evidence of side effects or adverse reaction was noted during the course of trial.No signs of liver damage were discovered.The Hongqu compound is considered as a safe alternative TCM remedy for management of hyperlipidemia for Singaporean as well as people in other countries.