Garcinia cambogia in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Garcinia cambogia

Scientific name

Garcinia cambogia

Family

Hypericaceae (Guttiferae)

Origin

Southern India, Indochina, Cambodia and the Philippines

Synonyms

Citrin, citrimax

Used Parts

The drug consists of the peel of the fruit of Garcinia Cambogia

Chemical constituents

Citric acid;
Vitamins;
Flavonoids;
Polysaccharides;
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA);
Carotenoids;
Mucilage.

Garcinia cambogia in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Garcinia cambogia

Garcinia cambogia preparations are used as adjuvants in slimming treatments and anti-cellulite treatments.

Biological activity

The alleged slimming properties ascribed to garcinia cambogia are to be attributed to the hydroxyacetic acid (HCA) contained in it.

It seems that HCA can promote weight loss through the inhibition of a particular enzyme - adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase - whose task is to convert citrate into oxalacetate and acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) in the liver. In fact, acetyl-CoA is the starting substrate for the synthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol.

Numerous and discordant are the opinions regarding the real effectiveness of Garcinia cambogia. In fact, several studies have been conducted in this regard and the results obtained are quite mixed.

While some researches have shown the usefulness of Garcinia cambogia as a COADIUVANT in weight loss treatments, other works have shown that the preparations based on this plant are not so much more effective than placebo.

Despite the ongoing debate about the anti-obesity properties of this particular garcinia species, many food supplements are available on the market that generally contain it, titrated at 50-60% in hydroxyacetic acid.

Side effects

Following the use of Garcinia cambogia preparations, side effects have been reported such as gastrointestinal disorders (such as abdominal pain and vomiting) and headache.

Although the short-term use of Garcinia cambogia-based preparations does not seem to cause any particularly serious side effects, there are several studies that are being conducted on the adverse reactions that may occur, however, following consumption for long periods of the products based on them. of garcinia.

In fact, some cases of liver toxicity have been reported in patients who have made prolonged use of supplements based on this plant. For this reason, several studies are underway to verify the real risk-benefit ratio that can result from the long-term use of Garcinia cambogia-based preparations.

Pharmacological Interactions

At present, there are no established drug interactions between Garcinia cambogia products and other drugs.

However, a relatively recent study (April 2014) highlighted a possible interaction between dietary supplements containing garcinia and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (or SSRIs, a particular class of antidepressant drugs).

Indeed, it appears that taking Garcinia cambogia extract can increase the endogenous levels of serotonin. This increase associated with a concomitant therapy with SSRIs can, therefore, favor the appearance of serotonin intoxication, also referred to as serotonin syndrome.

Of course, further inquiries must be made in this regard in order to confirm this fact. However, before taking any Garcinia cambogia-based preparation - especially if you suffer from particular diseases and / or if you are already taking other medicines - it is always good to ask for the preventive advice of your doctor.