New formulations to enhance lovastatin release from red yeast rice (RYR)

Nine k-carrageenan/gellan gum formulations have been realized to deliver Red Yeast Rice (RYR). Formulations were characterized by infrared, thermal and rheological analysis. Swelling kinetics and water content (free and bound water) were determined as a function of different composition. Release tests pointed out that formulations obtained combining polymers in a ratio close to 1 (i.e. 40/60 and 50/50) guaranteed a potentiated release of lovastatin from RYR inducing also a superior hypocholesterolemizing action both in terms of hepatocytes cholesterol production and inhibitory activity towards 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA).