High dose of Garcinia cambogia is effective in suppressing fat accumulation in developing male Zucker obese rats, but highly toxic to the testis

Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Mar;43(3):411-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2004.11.008.

Abstract

We investigated the ability of Garcinia cambogia extract containing (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) to suppress body fat accumulation in developing male Zucker obese (fa/fa) rats. We also examined histopathologically the safety of its high doses. Diets containing different levels of HCA (0, 10, 51, 102 and 154 mmol/kg diet) were fed to 6-week-old rats for 92 or 93 days. Each diet group was pair-fed to the 154 mmol HCA/kg diet group. Epididymal fat accumulation and histopathological changes in tissues were observed. The highest dose of HCA-containing Garcinia cambogia (154 mmol HCA/kg diet) showed significant suppression of epididymal fat accumulation in developing male Zucker obese rats, compared with the other groups. However, the diets containing 102 mmol HCA/kg diet and higher (778 and 1244 mg HCA/kg BW/d, respectively) caused potent testicular atrophy and toxicity, whereas diets containing 51 mmol HCA/kg diet (389 mg HCA/kg BW/d) or less did not. Accordingly, 51 mmol HCA/kg diet (389 mg HCA/kg BW/d) was deemed to be the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL).

MeSH terms

  • ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / growth & development*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / toxicity
  • Citrates / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Garcinia cambogia / chemistry*
  • Leptin / blood
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Zucker
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testis / pathology
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Weight Gain / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Citrates
  • Leptin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Testosterone
  • hydroxycitric acid
  • ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase