Review A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia Ruchi Badoni Semwal, Deepak Kumar Semwal, Ilze Vermaak, Alvaro Viljoen ⁎ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa article info abstract Article history: Received 3 January 2015 Accepted in revised form 7 February 2015 Available online 27 February 2015 The fruit rind of Garcinia gummi-gutta, commonly known as Garcinia cambogia (syn.), is extensively used traditionally as a flavourant in fish curries due to its sharp sour taste. Additional ethnobotanical uses include its use as a digestive and a traditional remedy to treat bowel complaints, intestinal parasites and rheumatism. This small fruit, reminiscent of a pumpkin in appearance, is currently most popularly used and widely advertised as a weight-loss supplement. Studies have shown that the extracts as well as (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a main organic acid component of the fruit rind, exhibited anti-obesity activity including reduced food intake and body fat gain by regulating the serotonin levels related to satiety, increased fat oxidation and decreased de novo lipogenesis. HCA is a potent inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase, a catalyst for the conversion process of citrate to acetyl-coenzyme A, which plays a key role in fatty acid, cholesterol and triglycerides syntheses. The crude extract or constituents from the plant also exerted hypolipidaemic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anthelmintic, anticholinesterase and hepatoprotective activities in in vitro and in vivo models. Phytochemical studies of various plant parts revealed the presence of mainly xanthones (e.g. carbogiol) and benzophenones (e.g. garcinol) together with organic acids (e.g. HCA) and amino acids (e.g. gamma aminobutyric acid). Currently, a large number of G. cambogia/HCA dietary supplements for weight management are being sold although the possible toxicity associated with the regular use of these supplements has raised concerns. In most cases, complaints have been related to multicomponent formulations and at this stage G. cambogia has not been confirmed as the potentially toxic culprit. This review presents a scientific overview of G. cambogia with reference to relevant botanical aspects, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry and biological activity as well as toxicity. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Garcinia cambogia Garcinia gummi-gutta Hydroxycitric acid Malabar tamarind Obesity Toxicity Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 2. Botanical description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 3. Geographical distribution and habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 4. Ethnobotanical uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 5. Phytochemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Fitoterapia 102 (2015) 134–148 Abbreviations: Acetyl-CoA, acetyl coenzyme A; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine transaminase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; BW, body weight; cPLA2, cytosolic phospholipase A2; CRP, C-reactive protein; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; HCA, hydroxycitric acid; HCAL, hydroxycitric acid lactone; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; IC 50 , inhibitory concentration 50%; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; LC 50 , lethal concentration 50%; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MDI, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone and insulin; MPO, myeloperoxidase; PGE2, prostaglandin E2; p.o., per oral; mRNA, messenger RNA; miRNA, microRNA; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; NOAEL, no observed adverse effects level; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TNBS, 2,4,6 trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid; TNF, tumour necrosis factor. ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +27 123826373; fax: +27 123826243. E-mail address: viljoenam@tut.ac.za (A. Viljoen). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2015.02.012 0367-326X/© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Fitoterapia journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/fitote