A review by Indian researchers indicates that Garcinia cambogia could be used as a drug for treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Reviewers list findings from previous studies as follows.

1) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a compound found in Garcinia cambogia results in a maximum efficacy when administered 30 to 60 minutes before feeding.

2) HCA inhibits fat synthesis and suppresses appetite and reduces food intake.  This supplement seems to be safe and does not cause mutagenesis and geno-toxicity.  No adverse effects were observed when HCA was used at a dose of no greater than 2800 mg per day.

3) Long term supplementation with Garcinia cambogia ameliorates adipogenesis in mice fed a high fat diet and promotes fatty acid oxidation and decreases fatty acid synthesis.  The supplement also protects against glucose intolerance induced by high fat diet.

4) HCA reduces body weight, apparently because the supplement inhibits lipogenesis.

5) Supplementation with Garcinia cambogia extract prevents or slow the development of obesity induced by high fat diet, possibly due to the fact that this supplement modulates the expression of multiple genes associated with adipogenesis. (David Liu)

RAJESH KR. YADAV, AMIT KR. SINGH & A. K. PANDEY, VRIKSHAMLA (GARCINIACOMBOGIA): A NOVEL NATURAL GIFT FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME, International Journal of General Medicine and Pharmacy (IJGMP) ISSN(P): 2319-3999; ISSN(E): 2319-4006, Vol. 5, Issue 3, Apr - May 2016; 69-76