Uses of red yeast rice in treating dengue virus infection

Abstract

This invention provides a method of using red yeast rice fermented product to treat a subject having a disease caused by dengue virus. In one embodiment, the red yeast rice is prepared with the yeast Monascus purpureus.

1 . A method of treating a subject having a disease caused by dengue virus, comprising the step of administering red yeast rice to the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dengue virus is of serotype DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, or DEN-4. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disease is dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treatment with the red yeast rice results in increased thrombosis in the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the red yeast rice comprises a yeast in the genus of  Monascus.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the yeast is  Monascus purpureus.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the red yeast rice is formulated into capsule form. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the treatment comprises taking three red yeast rice capsules per day for seven days.