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Certified South African Hoodia Gordonii Cactus

Also known as: Hoodia, Hoodia Gordonii Cactus, Hoodia gordonii

Overview

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to South Africa, traditionally used by the Xhomani Bushmen to suppress appetite during long hunting trips. It is primarily marketed as a weight loss and appetite suppressant supplement. The main bioactive compounds are steroidal glycosides, such as Gordonoside F. Research on Hoodia is limited, with few well-designed clinical trials. Most of the existing evidence comes from in vitro and animal studies, with only a small number of human trials. The overall quality of evidence supporting its efficacy for weight loss in humans is low to moderate, and there are no high-quality systematic reviews or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that conclusively support its use for weight loss.

Benefits

In animal and in vitro studies, compounds from Hoodia, particularly Gordonoside F, have shown the ability to activate the GPR119 receptor, which is associated with promoting glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and reducing food intake in mice. Experimental studies also suggest that appetite suppression may occur through increased hypothalamic ATP content and inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis. However, clinical evidence in humans is very limited. One double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial involving 49 overweight women, who received 2220 mg/day of Hoodia extract for 15 days, found no significant effect on body weight, energy intake, or body fat compared to placebo. To date, no clinically significant weight loss has been demonstrated in humans, and the strength of evidence for any benefit in humans is considered low.

How it works

The primary proposed mechanism of action for Hoodia gordonii involves its active compound, Gordonoside F, which selectively activates the G protein-coupled receptor GPR119. This receptor plays a role in metabolic homeostasis and insulin secretion. In animal models, this activation has been linked to reduced appetite and improved glucose metabolism. Other suggested mechanisms include the suppression of adrenal steroidogenesis and potential anti-inflammatory effects, such as reduced IL-6 and increased leptin levels. However, the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of Hoodia compounds in humans are not well characterized, meaning how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes these compounds is largely unknown.

Side effects

Safety data for Hoodia gordonii are limited and inconclusive. Reported adverse effects from the sole clinical trial include dizziness, nausea, paresthesia (tingling or numbness), headache, elevated blood pressure, and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). ECG abnormalities, such as a longer PR interval and altered QT interval, were also observed. Additionally, changes in blood chemistry, specifically elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, were noted. Potential drug interactions include the inhibition of the CYP3A4 enzyme, which can affect the metabolism of many medications, and interactions with antidiabetic and anticoagulant drugs like warfarin. No established safe or therapeutic dose exists. Regulatory authorities have also reported Hoodia products as unauthorized or adulterated in some markets, raising significant safety concerns.

Dosage

There is no consensus on a minimum effective or optimal dose for Hoodia gordonii due to the lack of evidence supporting its efficacy. The only clinical trial conducted used a dose of 2220 mg/day of purified extract for 15 days, which showed no benefit for weight loss. Consequently, there are no established recommendations for timing of administration or specific formulations. Factors such as absorption rates and the role of cofactors have not been sufficiently studied, making it impossible to provide reliable dosage guidelines. Without clear efficacy and safety data, no upper limits or safety thresholds can be confidently determined.

FAQs

Is Hoodia gordonii effective for weight loss?

No, high-quality clinical evidence does not support meaningful weight loss in humans. The only well-designed human trial showed no significant effect on weight or appetite.

Is it safe?

Safety concerns exist, including potential cardiovascular and neurological side effects. Adverse events like elevated blood pressure, heart rate changes, and liver enzyme elevations have been reported, warranting caution.

Can it be combined with other medications?

Potential interactions with drugs metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme and anticoagulants like warfarin exist. Medical supervision is strongly advised before combining it with other medications.

How quickly does it work?

There is no proven efficacy or established time course for Hoodia gordonii in humans, as clinical trials have not demonstrated any beneficial effects.

Research Sources

https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1324130111?doi=10.1073%2Fpnas.1324130111 – This in vitro and animal study investigated Gordonoside F, a compound from Hoodia gordonii. It found that Gordonoside F activates the GPR119 receptor, leading to reduced food intake and promoting insulin secretion in mouse models. The study provides mechanistic insights into how Hoodia might theoretically influence appetite and metabolism, though it's a preclinical study.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6683127/ – This review and clinical trial, involving 49 healthy women over 15 days, assessed Hoodia gordonii extract. It concluded that the extract had no significant effect on body weight or appetite suppression. Importantly, the study also reported several adverse events, highlighting potential safety concerns with its use.
https://www.cdrnet.org/vault/2459/web/files/Rios-Hoyo.pdf – This review, which includes data from the clinical trial mentioned above, focused on 49 overweight women over 15 days. It reiterated that Hoodia gordonii showed no weight loss benefit. The review specifically noted adverse cardiovascular effects, reinforcing the safety concerns associated with the supplement.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.611361/full – This systematic review analyzed safety alerts and regulatory data concerning Hoodia products. It found that Hoodia products are frequently reported as unauthorized or adulterated in various markets. This indicates significant regulatory and safety issues, suggesting that many commercially available Hoodia supplements may not be what they claim to be or may contain harmful contaminants.