Chinese red yeast rice (RYR) is known to contain several ingredients with medicinal properties.

One of them is lovastatin, and several trials have confirmed its possible lipid-lowering effects.

This analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of RYR extract in changing lipid levels in people with primary hyperlipidemia.

In this study, 93 randomized controlled trials were conducted, in which 9625 participants were tested with RYR preparation and compared with placebo, no treatment, statins, or other active lipid-lowering agents.