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| Research article summary (published 28 Aug 2008): |
Hoodia gordonii: a natural appetite suppressant.
Full Abstract
AIMS OF THE STUDY: Several species of the stapeliads, a group of stem succulents belonging to the family Apocynaceae are reported on in the ethnopharmacology literature and many of the references relate to their use as food plants. The most important of these plants is Hoodia gordonii, which during the past decade has risen from an almost forgotten spiny, desert plant to an important commercial appetite-suppressant herbal. The aim of this review is to summarize the botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry of Hoodia gordonii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Journal articles and books were used to collect information on Hoodia gordonii and related species. RESULTS: Many books and articles documented the use of stapeliad species as food plants and earlier references refer to the use Hoodia species as a thirst quencher. However, prior to the publication of the patent application, only a single reference referring to the use of Hoodia pilifera as appetite suppressant was found. The structures of several steroid glycosides isolated from Hoodia gordonii are summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Hoodia gordonii illustrates how a combination of ethnobotany and scientific research can lead to a commercial product which can greatly benefit the indigenous people.
Author information
Author/s: van Heerden, F R (FR);
Affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. vanheerdenf(-atsign-)ukzn.ac.za
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review
Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2008-Oct; vol 119 (issue 3) : pp 434-7
Dates: Created 2008/10/22; Completed 2009/01/23;
PMID: 18804523, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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