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Related Topics:Hoodia_Gordonii
Hoodia is a genus in the plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadaceae. Stevens PF (2001 onwards). Gentianales. Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Missouri Botanical Gardens). Version 7, May 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2006. Hoodias are stem succulents, described as "Cactiform" because of their remarkable similarity to the unrelated Cactus family. They can reach up to 1 m high and present exuberant flowers, often with flesh colour and strong smell.
Hoodias are protected plants, typical of the Namib Desert, ranging from Central Namibia to southern Angola, especially in plains and rocky areas. Common names include "Bushman's Hat" and "Queen of the Namib". The indigenous Bushmen call this plant Xhoba (pronounced "go-buh").
Hoodias are grown as garden plants, and one species, Hoodia gordonii is being investigated for use as an appetite suppressant.
Species and varieties
There are many forms of this plant, a few being:
- Hoodia albispina
- Hoodia alstonii
- Hoodia annulata
- Hoodia bainii
- Hoodia bainii var. juttae
- Hoodia barklyi
- Hoodia burkei
- Hoodia cactiformis
- Hoodia colei
- Hoodia currorii ssp. currorii
- Hoodia currorii ssp. lugardii
- Hoodia currorii var. minor
- Hoodia delaetiana
- Hoodia dinteri
- Hoodia dregei
- Hoodia felina
- Hoodia flava
- Hoodia foetida
- Hoodia genilis
- Hoodia gibbosa
- Hoodia gordonii
- The official name is Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne. Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne via Germplasm Resources Information Network (USDA) The plant was originally described twice: first by Sweet in 1830 and then by Masson, who named it Stapelia gordonii. As the description by Sweet is the older one, it has priority, and the name Stapelia is thus not valid.
- Hoodia grandis
- Hoodia haagnerae
- Hoodia husabensis
- Hoodia juttae
- Hoodia langii
- Hoodia longispina
- Hoodia lugardii
- Hoodia macrantha
- Hoodia marlothii
- Hoodia meloformis
- Hoodia montana
- Hoodia mossamedensis
- Hoodia officinalis ssp. delaetiana
- Hoodia officinalis ssp. officinalis
- Hoodia parviflora
- Hoodia pedicellata
- Hoodia perlata
- Hoodia picta
- Hoodia pilifera ssp. annulata
- Hoodia pilifera ssp. pilifera
- Hoodia pilifera ssp. pillansii
- Hoodia pillansi
- Hoodia rosea
- Hoodia ruschii (Queen of the Namib)
- Hoodia rustica
- Hoodia senilis
- Hoodia similis
- Hoodia sociarum
- Hoodia tirasmontana
- Hoodia triebneri
- Hoodia whitesloaneana
Investigation of Hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant
The use of Hoodia has been long known by the indigenous populations of Southern Africa, who infrequently use these plants for treating indigestion and small infections.
In 1977, the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) isolated the ingredient in hoodia (now known as P57) responsible for this appetite-suppressant effect and patented it. The CSIR then granted United Kingdom-based Phytopharm a license, and they collaborated with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer to isolate active ingredients from the extracts and look into synthesizing them for use as an appetite suppressant. Pfizer released the rights to the primary ingredient in 2002. Paul Hutson, associate professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, told the Wisconsin State News, "For Pfizer to release something dealing with obesity suggests to me that they felt there was no merit to its oral use". Rath, Jay. New Drug Tempting Dieters, But Experts Debate Hoodia's Merits. Wisconsin State Journal September 5, 2005, D1. Pfizer states that development on P57, the active ingredient of Hoodia, was stopped due to the difficulty of synthesizing P57. Morris, Joan (March 9, 2006) Little research behind claims that hoodia is safe, effective for losing weight. Seattle Times Jasjit Bindra, lead researcher for hoodia at Pfizer, states there were indications of unwanted effects on the liver caused by other components, which could not be easily removed from the supplement, adding "Clearly, hoodia has a long way to go before it can earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Until safer formulations are developed, dieters should be wary of using it." Bindra, Jasjit (April 26, 2005). A Popular Pill's Hidden Danger. New York Times
In 2002, CSIR officially recognized the San tribespeople’s rights over Hoodia, allowing them to take a percentage of the profits and any spin-offs resulting from the marketing of Hoodia. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (24 March 2003) The San and the CSIR announce a benefit-sharing agreement for potential anti-obesity drug. Hoodia gordonii is a protected plant which can only be wild-harvested by individuals and the few companies who have been granted a license. Thompson, Ginger (April 1, 2003). Twee Rivieren Journal; Bushmen Squeeze Money From a Humble Cactus. New York Times
Published scientific reports
One scientific study has been published in which the extract was injected directly into the brains of rats. MacLean DB, Luo LG. 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 Research. 2004 Sep 10;1020(1-2):1-11. No published peer-reviewed double-blind clinical trials have been performed on humans to investigate the safety or effectiveness of Hoodia gordonii in pill form as a nutritional supplement. The author of the rat study said that P57 was easily broken down by the liver, so it might be hard to take in enough of it to ensure that it had an effect. MacLean cautioned that currently available supplements might be inadequate, stating "I question whether there is really enough of the active ingredient in there to do much." Duenwald, Mary (April 19, 2005) An Appetite Killer for a Killer Appetite? Not Yet. New York Times
Press coverage
The press coverage and heavy marketing by nutritional supplement companies have created such a demand for Hoodia plants that a protected status was imposed in several countries like Namibia. Many products claiming to contain Hoodia do not actually contain the active ingredient alleged to suppress appetite. Only the South African product has the claimed properties. An ongoing review of Hoodia pills by Alkemists Pharmaceuticals found that at least half of the products advertised as containing Hoodia contained none. Engelhaupt, Erika (July 9, 2006). But do Hoodia diet pills actually work? Diet miracle from an African plant is a spam special. Philadelphia Inquirer
As an example of how the media present anecdotal evidence rather than scientific data, in 2004, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl traveled to Africa to try Hoodia gordonii for herself. According to Stahl, she did not have a normal "pang around mealtime," concluding, "I'd have to say it did work."African Plant May Help Fight Fat. CBS News 60 Minutes, Nov. 21, 2004. A BBC correspondent presented a smiliar anecdotal report in 2003Mangold, Tom (May 30, 2003). Sampling the Kalahari cactus diet. BBC News
In March 2006, Consumer Reports investigated the dietary supplement and concluded, "This weight loss drug lacks the clinical evidence for the Consumer Reports experts to recommend this product." Hoodia: lose weight without feeling hungry? (Subscription required) Consumer Reports 2006 Mar;71(3):49.
Marketing and spam
Lack of scientific evidence or regulatory approval have not stopped dietary supplement companies from marketing Hoodia gordonii extracts with claims that it can lower blood pressure and reduce the appetite. Goen Technologies Corporation's TrimSpa unit began marketing Hoodia gordonii under the brand name X32 with celebrity spokesperson Anna Nicole Smith, even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified Trimspa that it hasn’t demonstrated that the product is safe or effective. US Food and Drug Administration (March 26, 2004). Warning Letter for Weight Loss Products "TrimSpa Carb Blocker" and "TrimSpa Fat Blocker" Health Canada has not approved any hoodia products for sale. Hawaleshka, Danylo. Hoodia love: An appetite suppressant used by Bushmen is the diet world's newest fad. Macleans, August 03, 2005. Goen Technologies has also been sued by the state of New Jersey for misleading consumers. New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (October 16, 2003). New Jersey Sues Founder of Goen Seminars. The Trimspa brand is currently the subject of a lawsuit in California which claims that it does not contain any of Hoodia's active ingredient.In March to June of 2006, billions of unsolicited email messages were sent out concerning Hoodia, ostensibly offering Hoodia extracts for weight control purposes. As is usually the case with spam, it is not clear what prompted the sudden barrage of spam messages, since there had not been any recent positive media coverage about Hoodia, nor any signs of increasing public interest in Hoodia. The Federal Trade Commission has logged numerous complaints of consumer fraud associated with Hoodia and the number is expected to continue to rise.
In December 2004 Unilever entered into an agreement with Phytopharm to start marketing Hoodia gordonii commercially in the form of shakes and diet bars.
As of July 1, 2006 it has been reported on entertainment news show Extra that a company is now marketing Hoodia-enhanced lollipops.
References
External links
"Hoodia"