A succulent, cactus like, plant that is

indigenous to Africa
Used by the Khoi-San tribe
Traditionally used to suppress appetite during long
hunting trips and during times of famine
Image:
http://www.rebirth.co.za/hoodia/weigh
t_loss_hoodia_gordonii.htm
Image:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khoisan#mediaviewer/File:African_language_families_en.svg
The glycoside that is responsible for appetite suppression

Fig. 1 Structure of 3-[- D -thevetopyranosyl-(1 4)-- D -cymaropyranosyl-(1 4)-- D -cymaropyranosyloxy]-12-tigloyloxy-14-
hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (also re...
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.023
Injected varying doses (0.4-40 nmol) of P57 into the 3
rd
ventricle of the brain of rats
The rats decreased their food intake by 50-60%
The effected increased with dose
Conclusion:
The key mechanism is hypothalamic regulation of food intake
P57 increasess intracellular concentrations of ATP
Administered a single dose of P57 to mice
Orally
Low concentrations were detected in the intestine, kidney, and liver
Intravenously
Highest distribution was detected in the kidney, liver, and then the brain
Conclusion:
P57 is moderately bioavailable
P57 is excreted rapidly

First human model
25 overweight participants received 1,110 mg H. gordonii twice a day
19-day residential period: 4 day run-in period, 15 day experimental period
Meals were provided by researchers ad libitum from standardized menus on a 5- day rotating
meal plan
Meals were presented in larger portions than would be ordinarily consumed
Conclusion:
There were no significant effects on energy intake, body weight, or percentage body fat in participants
compared to a matched placebo control group

Administered low (80 mg/kg) and high (160 mg/kg) doses of H. gordonii to lean and obese rats
Lean rats lost comparable weight regardless of dosage
Obese rats only responded significantly with high dosage
Proposed mechanism:
inhibition of 11-hydroxylase and steroid 17-monooxygenase
inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzyme and 21-hydroxylase
down-regulating corticosteroid production

Conclusion:
H. gordonii may be mediating weight loss through adipose tissue and skeletal muscle tissues but more
research is needed to isolate the specific mechanism of weight loss
Muscle atrophy
Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Swollen and enlarged stomachs
Altered bilirubin
Altered electrocardiogram measures
Hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes

Conclusion:
The data on toxicity and safety of H. gordonii is scarce
The efficacy and safety of H. gordonii products still need further research
Goal:
To understand the underlying mechanism of elevated blood pressure and heart rate in individuals who
ingest H. gordonii
Used aerial part of H. gordonii to test for sympathomimetic activity in the uterus of non-
pregnant rats as well as high pressure liquid and thin layer chromatography
Hypothesis:
-receptor-mediation contributes to the sympathomimetic effect of H. gordonii products
Results:
The results supported the cardiovascular side effects but due to the incomplete chemical composition
mapping of H. gordonii, other potentially active constituents with sympathomimetic activity may also
be present in the plant
1. Vermaak I, Hamman J, Viljoen A. Hoodia gordonii: An Up-to-Date Review of a Commercially Important Anti-Obesity Plant. Planta Med 2011;77:1149-1160.
2. Liu S, Chen Z, Wu J, Wang L, Wang H, Zhao W. Appetite suppressing pregnane glycosides from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum. Phytochemistry
2013;93:144-53.
3. Roza O, Lovasz N, Zupko I, Hohmann J, Csupor D. Sympathomimetic Activity of a Hoodia gordonii Product: A Possible Mechanism of Cardiovascular Side
Effect. BioMed Research International 2013;ID 171059:
4. Blom W, Abrahamse S, Bradford R, Duchateau G, Theis W, Orsi A, Ward C, Mela D. Effects of 15-d repeated consumption of Hoodia gordonii purified
extract on safety, ad libitum energy intake, and body weight in healthy, overweight women: a randomized controlled trial Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94:1171-1181.
5. van Heerden FR. Hoodia gordonii: A natural appetite suppressant. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;119:434-7.
6. MacLean DB, Luo L. Increased ATP content/production in the hypothalamus may be a signal for energy-sensing of satiety: studies of the anorectic
mechanism of a plant steroidal glycoside. Brain Res 2004;1020:1-11.
7. Madgula V, Ashfaq M, Wang Y, Avula B, Khan I, Walker L, Khan S. Bioavailability, Pharmacokinetics, and Tissue Distribution of the Oxypregnane Steroidal
Glycoside P57AS3 (P57) from Hoodia gordonii in Mouse Model. Planta Med 2010;76(14):1582-1586.
8. Smith C, Krygsman A. Hoodia gordonii extract targets both adipose and muscle tissue to achieve weight loss in rats. J Ethnopharmacol

Images on title page:
http://slimmingfactory1.en.ec21.com/P57_Hoodia_Diet_Pill_Best--6481828_6608460.html
http://www.amazon.com/2000-Super-Hoodia-Release-serving/dp/B002BX5BBC
http://www.wemfo.com/my-personal-experience-with-green-tea-hoodia-diet-pills/