For centuries, Caralluma fimbriata has been used in India as a hunger and thirst blocker. Although the extract is mainly used for weight control, recent studies have revealed other potential benefits such as its antioxidant, energy-boosting, and glucose-lowering activities. Read on to learn about the health benefits of Caralluma fimbriata, how it works, and potential side effects.
What is Caralluma fimbriata?
Caralluma fimbriata (also known as Caralluma adscendens var. fimbriata) is a cactus-like plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family. It is native to India and Africa and highly abundant.
In India, it has been used for centuries in times of famine and long hunts to reduce appetite and thirst. The plant is typically eaten raw or cooked with spices, as well as preserved in chutneys and pickles [1].
Caralluma fimbriata is a very popular solution for bodyweight control. Commercial examples of weight loss capsules containing its extract include [2]:
- GenaSlimTM (Country Life)
- Slimaluna® (Gencor Nutrients)
Components
The composition analysis of the stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits (aerial) of Caralluma fimbriata revealed the following elements:
Composition analysis of Caralluma fimbriata aerial parts [3].
Caralluma fimbriata has a remarkably high concentration of fiber, which is an essential component of digestive health.
The key active compounds in the Caralluma plant family include [4]:
- Pregnane glycosides (appetite suppressants)
- Flavone glycosides (antioxidants)
- Megastigmane glycosides (anti-inflammatory)
- Polyphenols (antioxidants)
- Flavonoids (antioxidants)
- Saponins (immune system enhancers)
- Bitter principles (protectors of the digestive system and pancreas)
Natural Sources and Forms of Supplementation
Caralluma fimbriata is traditionally eaten raw, cooked, with spices, or preserved in chutneys and pickles [3].
Currently, there are several supplements containing Caralluma fimbriata extract on the market. In combination with a suitable diet, they are claimed to help lose weight.
Mechanism of Action
Although the mechanisms by which Caralluma fimbriata’s pregnane glycosides work are not fully understood, these compounds have been suggested to:
- Increase the release of the energy molecule ATP into the hypothalamus and thus, send a signal of energy intake that promotes satiety [5].
- Reduce the production of the hormone ghrelin, which prevents the formation of the hunger-promoting molecule, neuropeptide Y (NPY) [6].
- Block the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase and thus, prevent the formation of the building blocks for fat production (acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA) [7].
Effect of pregnane glycosides on the formation of fatty acids [2].
Caralluma fimbriata has been reported to reduce blood glucose levels by [8, 9]:
- Preventing glucose production
- Enhancing glucose uptake
- Increasing the blood concentration of insulin
The antioxidant activity of Caralluma fimbriata is due to the presence of polyphenols (natural compounds formed by several phenol units) and flavonoids (natural compounds derived from the flavone structure) [3].
Health Benefits of Caralluma fimbriata
Due to the scarcity of clinical studies, Caralluma fimbriata is not approved by the FDA for medical use. Nevertheless, preliminary research suggests there might be some benefits.
Caralluma fimbriata is commercially available as a supplement for weight loss. Regulations set manufacturing standards for supplements but don’t guarantee that they are safe or effective. Talk to your doctor before using Caralluma fimbriata supplements to avoid unexpected interactions.
Possibly Effective for:
Digestive System Functioning
Caralluma fimbriata has high amounts of fiber (15%) and is a good source of this plant component when eaten as a vegetable [3].
Fiber has several health benefits, such as increasing the digestive transit, facilitating nutrient uptake and digestion, and protecting from diseases [10].
Because Caralluma fimbriata supplements may contain lower fiber amounts and their standard dose is only 1 gram per day, their contribution to the digestive system may be irrelevant.
Insufficient Evidence for:
Weight Loss and Energy Boost
In a clinical trial on 43 overweight people, 1 gram of Caralluma fimbriata taken for 12 weeks reduced body weight, body mass index, waist and hip perimeter and ratio, cravings for high-sodium food, and general appetite [11].
In another trial on 50 overweight people, the same amount taken for 60 days reduced waist perimeter and appetite. However, the extract had little or no effect on body weight and fat, hip perimeter, and energy intake [1].
However, Caralluma fimbriata extract was ineffective at reducing weight or appetite in another trial on 89 overweight people [12].
The Prader-Willi Syndrome is a hereditary disease causing excessive appetite, learning disability, and short height. In a clinical trial on 15 children with this syndrome, 1 gram of Caralluma fimbriata extract per day for 4 weeks reduced appetite and food intake [13].
In rats fed a high-calorie diet, Caralluma fimbriata extract decreased food intake and fat buildup in the stomach, kidneys, testicles, and small intestine. Blood cholesterol, fats, and leptin levels were also reduced [14, 15].
In rats fed a normal diet, dietary Caralluma fimbriata extract increased food and water intake. Regardless, the rats lost weight. The extract was thought to interfere with the absorption of fats and sugars, thus preventing weight gain [16].
Caralluma fimbriata extract blocked the growth of fat cells. This effect was seen most at high doses (over 100 μg/ml) [17].
Caralluma fimbriata could also help release energy in the form of ATP if it were effectively proven to promote fat burning. However, only two of the trials suggest the extract may help lower body fat (based on the slight reduction of the waist and hip perimeter) [1, 11, 18].
In rats fed a high-calorie diet, Caralluma fimbriata extract increased the activity of the enzyme creatine kinase in muscles. This enzyme transforms ATP to phosphocreatine, which is then transported to tissues with higher energy demands. By activating this enzyme, Caralluma fimbriata may enhance the efficient use and transport of energy [9, 19, 20].
All in all, the evidence to suggest that Caralluma fimbriata helps lose weight and boost energy is insufficient. There are only 4 small clinical studies and they produced mixed results. Importantly, some of the studies could be biased because they were funded by the company selling the extract used (Gencor Pacific Group) and the results of the most reliable one were negative.
Animal and Cell Research (Lacking Evidence)
Researchers are investigating other health effects of Caralluma fimbriata. However, these preliminary results have only been obtained in animals and cells, and may not be the same in humans.
Blood Sugar Lowering
In rats fed a high-calorie diet, the extract [15, 9]:
- Prevented high blood glucose levels.
- Prevented insulin resistance.
- Blocked the enzyme that breaks starch into glucose (α-amylase).
- Stabilized glucose uptake.
- Promoted the activity of enzymes involved in the breakdown of glucose.
- Reduced the activity of enzymes involved in glucose production.
- Restored normal levels of glycogen in the liver and muscles.
In rats fed a normal diet, Caralluma fimbriata extract increased blood insulin levels and reduced blood glucose [16].
In diabetic rats, Caralluma fimbriata extract resolved the following symptoms [21]:
- Lower weight
- Higher blood glucose, transaminase, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels
- Lower blood insulin and protein levels
- Tissue damage to liver and kidneys
Caralluma fimbriata extract blocked 2 enzymes used for glucose production (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and enhanced glucose transport in cells [8].
Antioxidant Activity
High-calorie diets cause oxidative stress and cell damage. Caralluma fimbriata extract had the following protective effects in the testicles, kidneys, and liver of rats [22, 23, 15]:
- Prevented breakdown of fats from cellular membranes
- Prevented protein oxidation
- Increased activity of antioxidant enzymes
- Increased levels of the antioxidant molecule glutathione
Different Caralluma fimbriata extracts were prepared and tested for their antioxidant activity in cells. Of all the tested extracts, those with the highest polyphenol contents showed the highest antioxidant activities [3].
Testicular, Kidney, and Liver Function Protection
Caralluma fimbriata extract protected the testicles, kidney, and liver from the effects of a high-fat diet. In testes, it prevented the following abnormalities in testes [22]:
- Decreased volume
- A higher fat buildup in the region responsible for sperm storage and growth (epididymis)
- Deterioration of the region responsible for sperm cell formation (spermatogenesis tubules)
In the kidneys, Caralluma fimbriata prevented the following symptoms of kidney failure [23]:
- Higher blood concentration of urea, uric acid, and creatinine
- Higher activity of enzymes making amino acids (transaminases)
Caralluma fimbriata also protected the liver from [24]:
- Higher blood levels of enzymes making amino acids (transaminases)
- Higher fat buildup
- Enlargement
- Pale color
- Abnormal cell appearance
- Cell death
- Bleeding
Artery Hardening Prevention
High-calorie diets lead to the buildup of fat in the arteries, ultimately causing their hardening. In rats, Caralluma fimbriata extract reduced fat accumulation and restored normal blood vessel functions [14].
Muscle Building
Because it increases the availability of ATP, Caralluma fimbriata extract may help gain lean muscle weight through exercising [25].
In rats fed a high-calorie diet, the intake of Caralluma fimbriata extract restored normal muscle appearance, with the absence of injuries and fat accumulation [9].
Brain Function Support and Anxiety Reduction
In a study in mice, the extract of Caralluma fimbriata improved object recognition and spatial memory. It also reduced anxiety (elevated maze test) [26].
Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Activity
The extract of Caralluma fimbriata killed the bacteria Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus, the fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, and the worm Pheretima posthuma in plate studies [27, 28].
Its efficiency against the fungi and the worm was comparable to that of the standard drugs miconazole nitrate and piperazine citrate, respectively [28].
It’s important to note, however, that these are very preliminary results that have not yet been studied in humans or even in animals. Further research should determine if Caralluma fimbriata is effective against infections caused by these organisms.
Colon Cancer Cells
Caralluma fimbriata extract hasn’t been proven to treat or prevent cancer and only killed colon cancer cells in a study [29].
However, many substances – including downright toxic chemicals like bleach – have anti-cancer effects in cells. This doesn’t mean that they have any medical value. On the contrary, most substances (natural or synthetic) that are researched in cancer cells fail to pass further animal studies or clinical trials due to a lack of safety or efficacy.
Limitations and Caveats
Most of the health claims above described have only been tested in cell and animal studies. Studies with humans are therefore needed to confirm the benefits of Caralluma fimbriata [9, 22, 23, 24].
New clinical trials with more patients are needed to confirm the potential benefits of Caralluma fimbriata in weight control [30, 31, 11, 1].
It should be noted that several of the studies included were performed by companies manufacturing or funding the manufacture of Caralluma fimbriata [32].
Side Effects & Precautions
Keep in mind that Caralluma fimbriata is an insufficiently researched supplement with a relatively unknown safety profile. The list of side effects below is, therefore, not a definite one. You should consult your doctor about other potential side effects based on your health condition and possible drug or supplement interactions.
In a study with 50 overweight people, 24% experienced one or more of the following side effects [1]:
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Stomach inflammation
The symptoms were mild and disappeared within a week.
In another study on 89 overweight people, 2-12% of the subjects suffered from one or more of the following symptoms [12]:
- Nausea
- Palpitation
- Tongue inflammation
- Sleep deprivation
- Constipation
- Generalized weakness
- Increased blood pressure
However, the frequency of people experiencing these effects was similar in the test and the placebo groups.
Drug Interactions and Contraindications
The research on Caralluma fimbriata is limited and no interactions with drugs have been described so far. Further clinical research may identify new interactions and contraindications.
Insufficient research has been done on the effects of Caralluma fimbriata extract intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended not to use it with these conditions.
Supplementation
Dosage
Because Caralluma fimbriata is not approved by the FDA for any conditions, there is no official dose. Supplement manufacturers and users have established unofficial guidelines based on trial and error.
Users and supplement manufacturers recommend a dose of 500 mg 2x/day for up to 12 weeks [1, 11, 12].
Based on a safety study and the historical use of this plant in India without any reported adverse effects, Caralluma fimbriata extract was assigned the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status in 2006. However, it’s important to note that no long-term safety studies have been carried out [2].
User Reviews
The opinions expressed in this section are solely those of Caralluma fimbriata users who may or may not have medical or scientific training. Their reviews do not represent the opinions of SelfHacked. SelfHacked does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider user experiences as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on SelfHacked. We understand that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.
Users of Caralluma fimbriata extract capsules reported different effects.
A number of users reported that the daily use of Caralluma fimbriata reduced appetite within a week or two of use. Reported weight loss was, however, mild.
Other users said that it did not reduce appetite but did improve energy levels. Some people experienced improvements in portion control and snacking. Others said cravings for sweets were not affected.
One user finished the entire bottle without seeing any benefits in weight at all.
