Red yeast rice with monacolin K for the improvement of hyperlipidemia: A narrative review

Figure 1 The inactive lactone prodrug of monacolin K (lovastatin) is on the left, and its lipid-lowering active metabolite, monacolin K hydroxy acid, is on the right.

Figure 2 Cholesterol synthesis pathway showing the mechanism of action through which monacolin K, the active ingredient in red yeast rice reduces blood lipid levels. HMG-CoA: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A.