Benefit of Monascus-Fermented Products for Hypertension Prevention: a Review

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been reportedto play a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system therebyexerting an inhibition in nerve impulse, in turn amelioratingdepression; in addition, recent study also reveals the antihypertensiveeffect of GABA in vivo. Edible fungi of theMonascus species have been used as traditional Chinese medicinein eastern Asia for several centuries.Monascus-fermentedproducts possess a number of functional secondary metabolites,including anti-inflammatory pigments (such as monascin andankaflavin), monacolins, dimerumic acid, and GABA. Severalscientific studies have shown that these secondary metaboliteshave anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities.Moreover, many published reports have shown the efficacyof Monascus-fermented products in the prevention oramelioration of some diseases, including hypercholesterolemia,hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’sdisease, and numerous types of cancer in recent studies. Thecurrent article discusses and provides evidence to elucidate theanti-hypertensive benefit of Monascus-fermented metabolites,including anti-inflammatory pigments and GABA.