Garcinia

Scientific Name(s): Garcinia cambogia (Gaertn.) Desr.
Common Name(s): Malabar tamarind

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 10, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

The medical literature primarily documents weight loss and lipid-lowering activity for G. cambogia, although trials supporting its use are limited. In short-term clinical trials lasting 12 weeks or less, G. cambogia was ineffective or moderately effective for weight loss in overweight subjects. Results have been inconsistent in studies evaluating the effect of G. cambogia on lipids.

Dosing

The dosages of G. cambogia extract used in clinical trials ranged from 1,500 to 4,667 mg/day (25 to 78 mg/kg/day). The equivalent hydroxycitric acid (HCA) (the active consituent of G. cambogia) dosage in the trials ranged from 900 to 2,800 mg/day (15 to 47 mg/kg/day). G. cambogia is available in capsule or tablet form with a maximum dosage of 1,500 mg/day.

Contraindications

Avoid use if there is a known allergy or hypersensitivity to any components of G. cambogia.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

The herb has documented drug interactions.

Adverse Reactions

Fifteen clinical studies involving approximately 900 patients documented very mild adverse reactions, with the most common adverse reactions including headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and GI complaints such as nausea and diarrhea. Hydroxycut dietary supplements for weight loss were voluntarily recalled from the US market in 2009 because of concerns about hepatotoxicity. Although G. cambogia was an ingredient in some formulations of Hydroxycut, its role in cases of hepatotoxicity associated with Hydroxycut is unclear. Other cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported as "probably" related to ingestion of G. cambogia supplements.

Toxicology

Toxicology studies showed no toxicity or deaths in animals given dosages of HCA 5,000 mg/kg, equivalent to HCA 350 g in humans, or 233 times the maximum recommended human dosage of HCA 1.5 g/day.

Scientific Family

• Clusiaceae (Guttiferae)

Botany

G. cambogia is most commonly found in the evergreen or semi-evergreen forests of southwest India, where 36 other species of Garcinia have been documented, as well as in Malaysia and Africa.1, 2 G. cambogia has variability in its branching pattern, fruit color, shape, and size,1 and the tree is small to medium with drooping branches. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and oval-shaped with a narrow end; they are 5 to 12 cm in length and 2 to 7 cm around. The tree is tolerant to drought and flowers during the hot season. The yellow, orange, or red fruit, which contains HCA, ripens during the rainy season. It is ovoid in shape, measures 5 cm around, and has 6 to 8 seeds. The fruit of G. cambogia is listed in the US Department of Agriculture’s inventory of perennial edible fruits of the tropics.2 HCA is a common ingredient in weight loss products.

History

Throughout Southeast Asia, dried fruit rinds have been used extensively for centuries as condiments and flavoring agents in place of tamarind or lemon. Additional culinary uses include the flavoring of curries, meat, and seafood. The fruit extract has been used as a flavoring agent for beverages and gourmet spices, as well as a carminative, helping to prevent the formation of gas in the GI tract after a meal. When combined with salt, HCA and other organic acids from the dried rind help to lower pH and provide a bacteriostatic ef...