A dietary herbal supplement derived from the mold Monascus purpureus. Red yeast rice extract is promoted for its effect in lowering serum cholesterol levels.
An herbal remedy used to lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It contains 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitors, is similar to the prescription drug lovastatin, and has similar effects and side effects (including muscle injury with elevation of serum creatine kinase levels). It is also known colloquially as Chinese red rice.