Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Hydroxycitric Acid or Garcinia cambogia Extracts in Humans

• Published in: Critical reviews in food science and nutrition Vol. 52; no. 7; pp. 585 - 594
• Main Authors: Márquez, Fabiola, Babio, Nancy, Bulló, Mònica, Salas-Salvadó, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.2012; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: acetyl coenzyme A; adverse effects; Animals; antagonists & inhibitors; Anti-Obesity Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Obesity Agents - therapeutic use; ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase; ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase - antagonists & inhibitors; Biological and medical sciences; Biosynthesis; Body weight; chemistry; citrates; Citrates - adverse effects; Citrates - therapeutic use; Clinical trials; diet therapy; Dietary Supplements; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; drug therapy; Dyslipidemias; Dyslipidemias - diet therapy; Dyslipidemias - drug therapy; Enzyme Inhibitors; Enzyme Inhibitors - adverse effects; Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Extraction processes; Flowers & plants; Food industries; Fruit; Fruit - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Garcinia cambogia; Garcinia cambogia - chemistry; Garcinia gummi-guta; General aspects; Humans; Hygiene and safety; Hypolipidemic Agents; Hypolipidemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypolipidemic Agents - therapeutic use; laboratory animals; lipid profile; Lipids; mortality; Overweight; Overweight - diet therapy; Overweight - drug therapy; Phytotherapy; Phytotherapy - adverse effects; Plant Extracts; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; safety; Side effects; therapeutic use; Toxicity; Human; Evaluation; Acids; Body weight; lipid profile; Lipids; Extract; Safety; Garcinia cambogia; Profile
• ISSN: 1549-7852; 1040-8398; 1549-7852
• DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2010.500551

Several studies have shown that Garcinia cambogia plays an important role in the regulation of endogenous lipid biosynthesis. This effect is specially attributed to (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) inhibiting the enzyme ATP-dependent citrate lyase, which catalyzes the cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA. Although several studies have found that the administration of G. cambogia extracts is associated with body weight and fat loss in both experimental animals and humans, we should be cautious when interpreting the results as other randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have not reported the same outcomes. Furthermore, most studies in humans have been conducted on small samples and mainly in the short term. None of them have shown whether these effects persist beyond 12 weeks of intervention. Therefore, there is still little evidence to support the potential effectiveness and long-term benefits of G. cambogia extracts. With regard to toxicity and safety, it is important to note that except in rare cases, studies conducted in experimental animals have not reported increased mortality or significant toxicity. Furthermore, at the doses usually administered, no differences have been reported in terms of side effects or adverse events (those studied) in humans between individuals treated with G. cambogia and controls.