The first statin drug, called compactin, was found in a type of mold and works by strongly blocking a key enzyme our bodies use to make cholesterol — and it does this at super low doses, even in people with a genetic form of high cholesterol.

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A historical perspective on the discovery of statins

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Human

2010

The study talks about how compactin, a drug made from a mold, was found to block a key step in cholesterol production, which matches the main idea of the claim.

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A historical perspective on the discovery of statins

Score: 1

DOI: 10.2183/pjab.86.484

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A scientist in Japan found the first cholesterol-lowering statin by testing mold from rice — and it changed heart medicine forever.

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A scientist named Akira Endo found the first statin in a fungus back in 1971, and that discovery led to the cholesterol-lowering medicines millions of people take today.

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Blocking a key enzyme in the body's cholesterol factory can lower cholesterol, even in people with a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol. A natural substance called compactin can do this job very effectively.

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