Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii
Also known as: Hoodia, Hoodia cactus, Xhoba, P57, Hoodia pilifera
Evidence Strength: LIMITED
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 4.0/10). The classification is based on mechanistic and clinical evidence: hoodia gordonii is believed to suppress appetite by influencing the hypothalamus, the….
Safety Profile
Common Adverse Effects
- Nausea
- dizziness
- headache
- increased heart rate
- gastrointestinal discomfort
Serious Adverse Effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- cardiovascular effects
- severe dehydration
Contraindications
- Liver disease
- heart disease
- diabetes
- pregnancy
- People taking Antihypertensives
- breastfeeding
Interactions
| Drug / Nutrient | Interaction Mechanism | Warning |
|---|---|---|
| Antihypertensives | potential for additive effects — monitor blood pressure. Antidiabetic drugs: may alter glucose levels — adjust dosage as needed. CNS stimulants: possible additive effects — use with caution. | Monitor |
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Chemical Class
- Steroidal glycoside
- Biological Class
- Appetite suppressant
- Natural Source
- Hoodia gordonii, aerial parts
- Scientific Name
- Hoodia gordonii
- Chemical Formula
- C47H74O15
- CAS Number
- 145723-84-6
Mechanism of Action
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
| Indication | Evidence Level | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| General | Moderate | Clinical evidence for Hoodia gordonii's efficacy in weight loss is limited and inconsistent. Some studies suggest a potential for appetite suppression, but many trials have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and short durations. The majority of well-conducted studies have not demonstrated significant weight loss effects compared to placebo. |
Pharmacokinetics
Recommended Dosage
| Condition / Use | Typical Dose |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | 400-800 mg per day |
Dosage ranges are based on clinical studies and commonly used supplement formulations. Individual requirements may vary.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Hoodia gordonii has been associated with potential hepatotoxicity, raising concerns for individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. Cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate may pose risks for those with heart disease. Regulatory agencies have issued warnings about the lack of reliable safety data, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- USA/FDA — Approved
The available scientific evidence for Hoodia indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 მარ 2026, 12:01
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPrevalence of regulated plants in plant food supplements aiming for weight loss from the belgian market. ↗Ranjan S et al.. Prevalence of regulated plants in plant food supplements aiming for weight loss from the belgian market.. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2025. PMID:41218163.PMID 41218163 ↗Journal Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk AssessYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41218163/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWIdentification and Functional Characterization of Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Medicinal Plant Hoodia gordonii. ↗Parveen I et al.. Identification and Functional Characterization of Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Medicinal Plant Hoodia gordonii.. Plants (Basel). 2024. PMID:38256784.PMID 38256784 ↗Journal Plants (Basel)Year 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38256784/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDietary supplements for obesity. ↗Bonetti G et al.. Dietary supplements for obesity.. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022. PMID:36479472.PMID 36479472 ↗Journal J Prev Med HygYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36479472/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW[Weight-loss promoting dietary supplements : overview of their efficacy and safety]. ↗Monney M et al.. [Weight-loss promoting dietary supplements : overview of their efficacy and safety].. Rev Med Suisse. 2022. PMID:35343121.PMID 35343121 ↗Journal Rev Med SuisseYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35343121/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFrom Khoi-San indigenous knowledge to bioengineered CeO(2) nanocrystals to exceptional UV-blocking green nanocosmetics. ↗Ditlopo N et al.. From Khoi-San indigenous knowledge to bioengineered CeO(2) nanocrystals to exceptional UV-blocking green nanocosmetics.. Sci Rep. 2022. PMID:35236882.PMID 35236882 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35236882/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEvidence for the efficacy and safety of herbal weight loss preparations. ↗Farrington R et al.. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of herbal weight loss preparations.. J Integr Med. 2019. PMID:30738773.PMID 30738773 ↗Journal J Integr MedYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30738773/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMetabolic Profiling of Hoodia, Chamomile, Terminalia Species and Evaluation of Commercial Preparations Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. ↗Avula B et al.. Metabolic Profiling of Hoodia, Chamomile, Terminalia Species and Evaluation of Commercial Preparations Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.. Planta Med. 2017. PMID:28454188.PMID 28454188 ↗Journal Planta MedYear 2017Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28454188/
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Animal study LOW evidence YELLOWIn vitro anti-HIV and antioxidant activity of Hoodia gordonii (Apocynaceae), a commercial plant product. ↗Kapewangolo P et al.. In vitro anti-HIV and antioxidant activity of Hoodia gordonii (Apocynaceae), a commercial plant product.. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016. PMID:27776523.PMID 27776523 ↗Journal BMC Complement Altern MedYear 2016Study type Animal studyEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27776523/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe effect of two weeks ingestion of a bitter tastant mixture on energy intake in overweight females. ↗Peters HPF et al.. The effect of two weeks ingestion of a bitter tastant mixture on energy intake in overweight females.. Appetite. 2016. PMID:27522037.PMID 27522037 ↗Journal AppetiteYear 2016Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27522037/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPregnane Glycosides from Cynanchum marnierianum Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion in STC-1 Cells. ↗Tsoukalas M et al.. Pregnane Glycosides from Cynanchum marnierianum Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion in STC-1 Cells.. Planta Med. 2016. PMID:27224272.PMID 27224272 ↗Journal Planta MedYear 2016Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27224272/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Hoodia. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Hoodia
A score of 4.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
1 jurisdiction has active restrictions or advisories. Regulatory signals are recorded as Safety Signals and raise the S component.
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.