Fermentum Rubrum is a traditional Chinese fermented medicine and has been used for nearly 1 000 years in China. In recent years

its lipid-reducing effect has attracted attentions to its medicinal value and health care effect. In particular

its statins ingredients with the main lipid-reducing effect have become the focus of science research and development of Fermentum Rubrum industry. At present

only lactone-type lovastatin is recognized as an index component in the most of current domestic quality standards of Fermentum Rubrum. Lipid-reducing ingredients in Fermentum Rubrum are complex. Its acid-type lovastatin has the main lipid-reducing effect

and other statins also have a synergistic lipid-reducing effect. It is unreasonable to regard lactone-type lovastatin as the only index component

which leads to varying qualities and impacts quality monitoring

safety and effectiveness of clinical medication. More seriously

it is difficult to detect the adulteration of lovastatin in Fermentum Rubrum

because of the unreasonable quality standard. Based on the previous studies

the authors collected

analyzed and summarized the literatures for Fermentum Rubrum at home and abroad in recent years

and systemically reviewed the research advances in detection methods of lipid-reducing ingredients of Fermentum Rubrum. This paper puts forward the suggestion of adding the quality control index components

in the hope of providing a theoretical reference for the comprehensive quality evaluation and standard improvement of Fermentum Rubrum.