Antihyperlipidemic effect of red fermented rice with Monascus sp. in rats model with hematological and histopathological studies

The present study described a co-culture of Monascus purpureus and Monascus ruber fermented with rice that produced a high yield of lovastatin (1.2 mg/g) and less toxicity of citrinin (0.09 µg /g) and the rice is named red fermented rice (RFR). Then, it was investigated in an animal model with an induced high-fat diet (HDF). For animal study, five different groups (G1-G5) were chosen, the effect of RFR in blood serum was investigated by hematological analysis, and adipose and liver tissues were studied by histopathological examinations. Low and high concentration of RFR in G3 and G4 showed significant differences in hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and platelets in hematological analysis. Histopathological studies on adipose and liver tissues revealed substantial changes in G3 and G4 rats. Despite using a standard drug for comparison, G4 showed significant results compared to G3. The study concludes that the RFR successfully reduced the cholesterol level in the blood, which could maintain liver enzyme function. Moreover, histopathological examinations revealed the repair of adipose and liver tissue.