To evaluate efficacy and safety of Caralluma fimbriata in overweight and obese patients: A randomized, single blinded, placebo control trial

Abstract

Aim:The aim of the following study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) in overweight and obese individuals in a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial.Materials and Methods:Commercially available CFE was assessed in overweight and obese individuals. A total of 89 patients were randomized into a treatment group (n = 47) and placebo group (n = 42) to receive either CFE in the form capsules/oral 500 mg b.d. for 12 weeks or matching placebo in similar way. Patients were evaluated clinically and biochemically at 4, 8 and 12 weeks for anthropometric measurements, appetite, biochemical investigations and other safety parameters.Results:At the end of study period both CFE and placebo for 12 weeks caused only numerical reduction in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio in overweight and obese individuals. However, these parameters failed to attain significant statistical levels (P ≥ 0.05). CFE and placebo both failed to elucidate any modification of the appetite. There were no significant changes in the biochemical and clinical parameters in both the test and placebo group. However, CFE was well-tolerated and adverse events noted were mild and transient in nature.Conclusion:A commercially available extract of CFE in an oral dose of 1 g/day claimed to have anti-obesity effect failed to yield any positive results on anthropometry and appetite in overweight and obese individuals beyond placebo. There were also no significant differences in the clinical and biochemical parameters. However, CFE was well tolerated. Thereby, underscoring the need to carry more research before CFE is recommended as an anti-obesity drug.

An Update on a Etiopathogenesis and Management of Obesity

“…Together this shows the interaction of endocannabinoid system and the prostanoid systems. and thus marks ABHD6 as an interesting therapeutic target, that should be relevant in treating inflammatory conditions and PGD2-G as a bioactive lipid with potential anti-inflammatory properties [158] Some natural Ayurveda products having caralluma fimbriata extract (500 mg b.d) an edible succulent cacti from family Asilidae is commonly used for obesity in traditional medicine, but it did not prove to be effective in a randomized control trial [159].…”

Effect of the herbal medicines in obesity and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

“…Green tea (Diepvens et al, 2006), N. sativa (Mahdavi et al, 2015), C. fimbriata (Arora et al, 2015;Astell et al, 2013), and H. sabdariffa decreased the WHR.…”

“…In the first place, noteworthy reduction in body weight and BMI was observed in herbs, including green tea (green tea with doses of 300, 400, 870, 928, 1,000, 1,500, and 6,000 mg/day and catechins with doses of 150, 300, 458, 468, 886, and 1,200 mg/day;Janssens, Hursel, & Westerterp-plantenga, 2015, Hsu et al, 2008, Vieira Senger, Schwanke, Gomes, & Valle Gottlieb, 2012, Wang et al, 2010, Di Pierro, Menghi, Barreca, Lucarelli, & Calandrelli, 2009, Tsai, Chiu, Yang, Ouyang, & Yen, 2009, Nagao, Hase, & Tokimitsu, 2007, Mielgo-Ayuso et al, 2014, Diepvens, Kovacs, Vogels, & Westerterp-Plantenga, 2006, Chantre & Lairon, 2002, Chen, Liu, Chiu, & Hsu, 2016, P. vulgaris (with doses of 445, 1,000, and 3,000 mg/day; Chantre & Lairon, 2002, Hartman et al, 2011, Celleno, Tolaini, D'amore, Perricone, & Preuss, 2007, Udani, Hardy, & Madsen, 2004, G. cambogia (with doses of 1,667, 2,400, and 3,000 mg/day (equivalent 1,000, 1,200, and 1,500 mg hydroxycitric acid; Hayamizu et al, 2003, Mattes & Bormann, 2000, Heymsfield et al, 1998, N. sativa (with doses of 1,500, 1,600, 2,000, and 3,000 mg/day; Mahdavi, Namazi, Alizadeh, & Farajnia, 2015), puerh tea (with dose of 1,000 mg/day ;Mahdavi et al, 2015, Kubota et al, 2011, Yang et al, 2014, Fujita & Yamagami, 2008, I. gabonensis (with doses of 150, 300, and 3,150 mg/day; Ross, 2011, Ngondi, Oben, & Minka, 2005, C. fimbriata (with dose of 1,000 mg/day; Kuriyan et al, 2007, Astell, Mathai, Mcainch, Stathis, & Su, 2013, Arora et al, 2015, respectively…”

“…Some studies have also reported additional effects on reduced waist and hip circumference in addition to weight. There was a significant decrease in waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) in relation to the intake of green tea (green tea with doses of 300, 400, 870, 928, 1,000, and 6,000 mg/day and catechins with doses of 150, 300, 458, 468, 886, and 1,200 mg/day; Basu, Fu, et al, 2010, Vieira Senger et al, 2012, Hsu et al, 2008, Nagao et al, 2007, Tsai et al, 2009, Wang et al, 2010, P. vulgaris (with doses of 445, 1000, and 3,000 mg/day; Perricone, 2010, Celleno et al, 2007, Hartman et al, 2011, N. sativa (with doses of 1,500, 1,600, 2,000, and 3,000 mg/day; Mahdavi et al, 2015, Qidwai, Hamza, Qureshi, & Gilani, 2009), I. gabonensis (with doses of 150, 300, and 3,150 mg/day; Ngondi et al, 2005, Ross, 2011, and C. imbriata (with dose of 1,000 mg/day; Arora et al, 2015, Astell et al, 2013, Kuriyan et al, 2007, respectively.…”

Current Evidence to Propose Different Food Supplements for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review

“…Two RCTs conducted on obese and overweight subjects showed a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference after treatment with caralluma 500 mg twice daily for two months [124,125], whereas one other did not find significant changes in body weight and BMI after treatment with the same dosages and longer time (three months) [126]. No major side effects were reported at the dosages utilized in the human studies.…”