Garcinia gummi‐gutta: Phytochemicals and pharmacological applications

Abstract

Garcinia gummi-gutta, also known as Garcinia cambogia, is a member of the Guttiferae family. Garcinia is a polygamous genus consisting 200 species of trees and shrubs. It is found in different zones of the planet including Asia's tropical regions. In India alone, around 30 species have been discovered. They are widely used as a flavoring agent to garnish fish curry in southern India, particularly in Kerala and Karnataka. The fruit rind of G. gummi-gutta has traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, and ulcers. South Indian people have been utilizing it traditionally as evidenced by its ethnobotanical properties. In vivo and in vitro effects of the crude fruit extract showed anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anthelmintic, anti-microbial, and antioxidant activities. G. gummi-gutta fruit rind is medicinally significant and is frequently used in ayurvedic and traditional medicine for many diseases. Various secondary metabolites such as organic acids-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), flavonoids, terpenes, polysaccharides and polyisoprenylated benzophenonesgarcinol, xanthochymol, guttiferone, benzophenone, xanthone, biflavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, and saponins isolated from the G. gummi-gutta have diverse pharmacological activities. This review provides a summary of G. gummi-gutta, including its biological activities, phytochemistry, and ethnobotanical applications.

Weight Loss Supplements

“…Some supplements can promote antiobesogenic effects, interacting with the central nervous system and determining the release of hormones, such as the neuropeptide Y (that can delay satiety and promote food intake), norepinephrine (that can increase lipolysis), the POMC/CART (that can regulate food consumption) [ 82 ], the melanocortins and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (that can regulate the appetite and are affected by leptin and insulin) [ 83 ], and serotonin (that can regulate food intake) ( Table 1 ). The plant secondary metabolites that can interact with the hormones released by the central nervous system are ephedrine (that acts as a sympathomimetic agent) [ 84 ], the red ginseng’s saponins (protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol type that act by downregulating leptin and neuropeptide Y) [ 85 , 86 ], the garcinia’s hydroxy citric acids (that control the glucose and uptake of serotonin level) [ 87 , 88 ], the amines in citrus with aromatic rings (that improve serotonin levels) [ 89 ], and fucoxanthin isolated from brown seaweed (that impacts insulin levels) [ 90 ].…”

Interaction of Garcinia cambogia (Gaertn.) Desr. and Drugs as a Possible Mechanism of Liver Injury: The Case of Montelukast

“…G. cambogia (Clusiaceae family), also known as Malabar tamarind, is a plant native to India and Southeast Asia [ 17 ], used traditionally as a remedy to treat gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, and ulcers [ 24 ]. It is endowed with several beneficial properties, including anti-ulcerogenic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and anticancer ones [ 24 ]. Nowadays, extracts from its immature fruit are mainly used in dietary supplements for weight loss or weight maintenance.…”