Effect of Beni-koji Extracts on Blood Pressure in Primary Hypertensive Volunteers.

Abstract

The antihypertensive effects of beni-koji (BK) aqueous extracts (BKE) prepared with Monascus pilosus IFO4520 were studied in primary hypertensive volunteers. In the study of 12 inpatients, a significant reduction in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, ie. from 157 +- 11 and 91 +- 10 mm Hg to 141 +- 10 and 81 +- 6 mm Hg, was observed after intake of BKE drinks (3 bottles; 27g of BK eq. per day) for 2 weeks. In the study of outpatients, a significant fail in blood pressure was achieved after 1 month administration of BKE (27g of BK eq. per day) from a level of 154 +- 9 and 92 +- 6 mm Hg to 147 +- 10 and 81 +- 5 mm Hg. In the study of 7 outpatients administered BKE (1 bottle; 9g of BK eq. per day) for 6 months, a fall of blood pressure from 164 +- 9 and 99 +- 6 mmHg to 154 +- 14 and 88 +- 5 mm Hg was observed. Reduction in the serum total cholesterol level from 228 +- 42mg/dl to 184 +- 27 mg/dl was also observed in the BKE group, but not in the group without BKE. These results indicate that the daily ingestion of BKE had a therapeutic effect on hypertension by contributing to reduction in the levels of both blood pressure and serum total cholesterol.