Lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of Monascus biopigment beverage
Issue Date
4-2017
Abstract
The study aimed to test the efficacy of Monascus biopigment beverage, which was made from the extract of Monascus-fermented rice, to lower serum lipid levels of Sprague-Dawley rats consuming high cholesterol diet, and assess its safety through physical and physiological observations for toxicity evaluation and clinical blood chemistry examinations. Sixteen (16) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n= 8 per group), negative control and treatment. The latter was administered with Monascus biopigment beverage, aside from commercial pellets and cholesterol diet (500 mg cholesterol/kg body weight) given to both groups daily in 30-day experimental period. Blood (0.5 mL) was drawn from the orbital sinus of each animal subject, which was performed at day 0, 15, and 30. The collected blood samples were then analyzed for lipid profile and toxicity evaluation. Results showed that Monascus biopigment beverage was effective in lowering lipid levels of Sprague-Dawley rats. Total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels decreased significantly by 18.5% and 45.64%, respectively, while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly increased by 47.12%. However, triglyceride (TG) remained statistically unchanged but was reduced by 2.0%. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) did not differ significantly between the two groups from day 0 to day 30. Moreover, Monascus beverage-treated rats did not develop any physical and physiological signs of toxicity.
Source or Periodical Title
International Food Research Journal
ISSN
1985-4668
Volume
24
Issue
2
Page
664-671
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
tables, graphs
Language
English
Subject
Alanine aminotransferase, Beverage, Blood urea nitrogen, High density lipoproteincholesterol, Low density lipoproteincholesterol, Monascus biopigment
Recommended Citation
Reginio, F.C., Hurtada, W.A., Estacio, M.A.C., Dizon, E.I. (2017). Lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of Monascus biopigment beverage. International Food Research Journal, 24 (2), 664-671.
Digital Copy
yes