Garcinia cambogia

Nathan Tuchscherer; Biochemistry Student Spring 2023

Background/History

Garcinia cambogia is found in India and Southeast Asia region. The rind of the fruit is traditionally used as a flavourant in fish curries, condiment, and food preservative. The rind of the fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is associated with having suppressive effects on appetite.1,3 https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/garciniacambogia-1296x728-header.jpg?w=1155&h=1528

Names1

Scientific Name: Garcinia cambogia

Common Names: garcinia cambogia, garcinia, Malabar tamarind, brindle berry

Latin Name: Garcinia gummi-gutta https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0294/1134/4521/products/garcinia-cambogia-extractpowder-herb-root-powders-z-natural-foods-5-lbs-103602_900x.jpg?v=1669790422

Forms and Dosage

The rind of garcinia cambogia can be purchased in whole or capsulated form. Dosages vary among capsulated forms but can typically be seen around a 1000mg supplement with varying concentrations of HCA contained within the supplement. Most supplements are directed to be taken between 1-3 times daily and commonly instructed to be taken before meals.

Mechanism

HCA is a competitive inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase which inhibits lipogenesis activity. HCA also causes decreased acetyl-CoA production which decreases fatty acid synthesis and lipogenesis.2

Common Uses

Garcinia cambogia is associated with having effects on suppressing appetite and is commonly taken as a supplement for weight loss. Other symptoms that garcinia cambogia is marketed toward relieving are joint pain, digestive symptoms, and improve athletic performance.1 https://images.hollandandbarrettimages.co.uk/the-health-hub/2020/10/shutterstock_675379234-768x295.jpg

Effectiveness

There is insufficient evidence to recommend garcinia cambogia for weight loss.4

Drug interaction: There may be unpredictable herb-drug interaction and further research is still needed to determine the safety of taking garcinia cambogia.5

Adverse effects

Garcinia cambogia supplementation has been linked with the development of acute liver injury.6 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/1_-conditions/livergallbladder-and-pancreas/acute-liver-failure-teaser-image.ashx

References:

Toxicity Studies

Several research reports indicate that garcinia cambogia and HCA do not have significant toxic effects. There is suggestion that this supplement may have toxic effects towards spermatogenesis.8

Article Summary

In an article from Crescioli (et al.) four cases of acute liver failure are presented from women taking garcinia cambogia. This article reports that since herbal supplements such as garcinia cambogia are often taken without medical supervision that there has been increasing cases of acute liver injury and failure. In conclusion, taking this supplement over the counter without any supervision can pose risk of liver damage to individuals.7

Personal Opinion

Due to the various studies linking garcinia cambogia to acute liver injury, I would personally not recommend taking this as a dietary supplement for weight loss. Also, with the lack of evidence for effectiveness of garcinia cambogia, I would suggest contacting your primary care provider for their recommendations on the best methods of weight loss for your specific body. ~N Tuchscherer

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). (2022). Garcinia Cambogia. Retrieved February 25, 2023, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garcinia-cambogia

2. Ariyanto E. F, Multom N. O, Berbudi A, Rohmawaty E, Sujatmiko B. Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Aloe Vera, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Curcuma Longa, Garcinia Cambogia, and Garcinia Mangostana Extracts in Lowering Body Weight in Obesity: A Literature Review. Biomed Pharmacol J 2021;14(4).

3. Ruchi Badoni Semwal, Deepak Kumar Semwal, Ilze Vermaak, Alvaro Viljoen. A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia, Volume 102, 2015, Pages 134-148, ISSN 0367-326X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2015.02.012.

4. Maunder A, Bessell E, Lauche R, Adams J, Sainsbury A, Fuller NR. Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2020 Jun;22(6):891-903. doi: 10.1111/dom.13973. Epub 2020 Feb 15. PMID: 31984610.

5. Cococcioni, G., & Baldi, A. (2018). The role of the pharmacist in the prevention and management of adverse drug reactions: A literature review and proposal of a new classification system. Internal and Emergency Medicine, 13(3), 315-328. doi: 10.1007/s11739-018-1880-4

6. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Garcinia Cambogia. [Updated 2019 Feb 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548087/

7. Crescioli, G., Lombardi, N., Bettiol, A. et al. Acute liver injury following Garcinia cambogia weight-loss supplementation: case series and literature review. Intern Emerg Med 13, 857–872 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-018-1880-4

8. Chuah LO, Yeap SK, Ho WY, Beh BK, Alitheen NB. In vitro and in vivo toxicity of garcinia or hydroxycitric Acid: a review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:197920. doi: 10.1155/2012/197920. Epub 2012 Aug 9. PMID: 22924054; PMCID: PMC3424601.