Abstract

BORGES, Catarina; CHINA, Sara; CARRAPA, Sofia  and  TEIXEIRA, Vânia. Red yeast rice and berberine in the treatment of dyslipidemia: what is the evidence?. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2016, vol.32, n.1, pp.38-46. ISSN 2182-5173.

Aim: To determine if red yeast rice (RYR) and berberine (BBR) are effective in lowering serum levels of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Data sources: PubMed and databases of evidence-based medicine. Review methods: Guidelines, meta-analyses (MA), systematic reviews (SR), randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies in English, Portuguese and Spanish were searched, using the MeSH terms (cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, red yeast rice and berberine). Articles published between January of 2003 and January of 2014, including patients aged 18 years old and older without familial dyslipidemia were selected. The level of evidence (LE) and the strength of recommendation (SR) were assessed using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) scale from the American Academy of Family Physicians. Results: Of the 34 articles found, 10 met the inclusion criteria. One MA, two SR, four RCT and one retrospective observational study described the effectiveness of RYR for the reduction of LDL-C levels (LE 3). Triglycerides were also effectively decreased by RYR in the MA, in one of the SR and in the RCT (LE 3). The MA and SR that analysed BBR showed its benefit in reducing LDL-C and TG (LE 3). The association of both substances, evaluated in a RCT, was also effective in lowering the levels of LDL-C. Conclusions: The available evidence regarding the reduction of LDL-C and TG levels with administration of RYR and/ or BBR was considered limited (SR C). Thus, before recommending these substances in the treatment of dyslipidemia, more studies of higher quality are needed to demonstrate their beneficial effects and safety. Better control in their production and marketing is also required.

Keywords : Cholesterol-LDL; Triglycerides; Red Yeast Rice; Berberine.

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