What Is Hoodia Gordonii?

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant found in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. It has been purported to increase weight loss. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert used Hoodia gordonii to decrease hunger and thirst during hunting trips. Hoodia gordonii is available as a capsule, powder, liquid or tea from several companies.

History

The San Bushmen have used Hoodia gordonii for many years to suppress hunger and thirst. South African scientists began studying Hoodia gordonii extracts and began working with the British company, Phytopharm. Pfizer acquired the rights to the Hoodia gordonii extract from Phytopharm but relinquished them. Phytopharm is evaluating opportunities to market its Hoodia gordonii extract as a weight-loss pill. Hoodia gordonii is only cultivated in the African desert, and many products claiming they contain Hoodia gordonii extracts actually contain very little or none at all. Leslie Stahl featured Hoodia gordonii extract on the show "60 Minutes" and claimed that it worked as an appetite suppressant.

Steroidal Glycosides

Greater than 10 steroidal glycosides have been isolated from Hoodia gordonii. More than one has demonstrated appetite suppressant activity. Steroidal glycosides are found in many plants and in some animals, such as starfish. They act as natural detergents and in general have been found to exert many biological effects. A review in the journal Lipids reports that steroidal glycosides stimulate the immune system, have anti-cancer properties, alter food intake, affect reproduction and act as anti-viral and anti-fungal agents.

Animal Studies

A study published in the October 2007 issue of Phytochemistry reported that a steroidal glycoside isolated from Hoodia gordonii decreased food intake and reduced weight in rats treated with the compound. A study in the journal Brain Research injected the steroidal glycoside, p57, into the brains of rats and found that it decreased food intake by 40 percent to 60 percent.

Human Studies

Only one study that evaluated the effects of Hoodia gordonii on weight loss has been conducted in humans, and it was not published. It was conducted by the company Phytopharm, and its website states that a highly concentrated extract of Hoodia gordonii reduced food intake of overweight people.

Toxicity

A study in the journal Steroids reported that several steroidal glycosides were isolated from Hoodia gordonii and none increased cell death in laboratory experiments. There are no other studies that have evaluated the toxicity of Hoodia gordonii extract in animals or humans. Because it is also known to decrease thirst, it could potentially cause symptoms of dehydration.