Monascin from red mold dioscorea as a novel antidiabetic and antioxidative stress agent in rats and Caenorhabditis elegans

► Monascin attenuates symptoms of diabetes in rats. ► Monascin increases stress resistance and expressions of stress response genes. ► Monascin extends lifespan of C. elegans under a high-glucose condition. ► The protective effects of monascin are mediated via FOXOs/DAF-16-dependent pathway.