ხუთშაბათი, აპრილი 16, 2026
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Global Ingredient Risk Index Weight Loss

Hoodia

Hoodia gordonii

Also known as: Hoodia, Hoodia cactus, Xhoba, P57, Hoodia pilifera

MODERATE RISK 4.0/10 How?

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….

02

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
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03

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
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04

Evidence and Scientific Findings

Overview

Ingredient Overview

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. It has been traditionally used by indigenous populations to suppress hunger and thirst during long hunting trips. In recent years, Hoodia has gained popularity as a dietary supplement for weight loss, purportedly due to its appetite-suppressant properties.
Classification

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

Mechanism of Action

Hoodia gordonii is believed to suppress appetite by influencing the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for hunger regulation. The active compound, P57, is thought to mimic the effect of glucose on nerve cells, tricking the brain into feeling full. This interaction may involve modulation of ATP levels, although the exact pathways remain unclear.
Clinical Evidence

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.
Evidence levels: Strong Moderate Limited Experimental
Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption
Hoodia gordonii is poorly absorbed when taken orally, with low bioavailability. The onset of action is not well-documented, and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) is unknown. The half-life of the active compound P57 has not been clearly established.
Distribution
There is limited information on the distribution of Hoodia gordonii in the body. It is not known to significantly bind to plasma proteins or cross the blood-brain barrier in substantial amounts.
Metabolism
The metabolic pathways of Hoodia gordonii are not well-characterized. It is presumed to undergo hepatic metabolism, but specific enzymes and metabolites have not been identified.
Excretion
Excretion pathways for Hoodia gordonii have not been thoroughly studied. It is likely eliminated through renal and biliary routes, but detailed data on urinary metabolites are lacking.
Half-Life
57 h
Dosage

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.

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05

SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index

SETI Score 50/100
Risk Level High risk
Scientific Confidence Low
Evidence Strength Limited
Key Benefit Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.
Key Safety Concern 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.
Evidence Reviewed 10 PubMed studies
Scientific Confidence Low
Based on study quality, consistency, and recency

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

SETI Score 50/100
Risk Level High risk
Evidence Strength Limited
Main Benefit Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.
Main Safety Concern 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.
Ingredient Hoodia
Scientific name Hoodia gordonii
Scientific Evidence Overview
  • 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%)
Safety Signals
  • 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.
Evidence Strength Limited
Regulatory Status
  • USA/FDA — Approved
Final Scientific Assessment

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.

Ingredient Hoodia
Evidence reviewed 10 peer-reviewed studies (last 10 years)
Scientific name Hoodia gordonii
50 /100

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

1 Animal studies
9 Other / unclassified
  1. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Prevalence of regulated plants in plant food supplements aiming for weight loss from the belgian market. ↗
    PMID 41218163 ↗
    Journal Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess
    Year 2025
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41218163/
    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.
  2. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Identification and Functional Characterization of Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Medicinal Plant Hoodia gordonii. ↗
    PMID 38256784 ↗
    Journal Plants (Basel)
    Year 2024
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38256784/
    Parveen I et al.. Identification and Functional Characterization of Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Medicinal Plant Hoodia gordonii.. Plants (Basel). 2024. PMID:38256784.
  3. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Dietary supplements for obesity. ↗
    PMID 36479472 ↗
    Journal J Prev Med Hyg
    Year 2022
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36479472/
    Bonetti G et al.. Dietary supplements for obesity.. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022. PMID:36479472.
  4. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    [Weight-loss promoting dietary supplements : overview of their efficacy and safety]. ↗
    PMID 35343121 ↗
    Journal Rev Med Suisse
    Year 2022
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35343121/
    Monney M et al.. [Weight-loss promoting dietary supplements : overview of their efficacy and safety].. Rev Med Suisse. 2022. PMID:35343121.
  5. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    From Khoi-San indigenous knowledge to bioengineered CeO(2) nanocrystals to exceptional UV-blocking green nanocosmetics. ↗
    PMID 35236882 ↗
    Journal Sci Rep
    Year 2022
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35236882/
    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.
  6. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Evidence for the efficacy and safety of herbal weight loss preparations. ↗
    PMID 30738773 ↗
    Journal J Integr Med
    Year 2019
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30738773/
    Farrington R et al.. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of herbal weight loss preparations.. J Integr Med. 2019. PMID:30738773.
  7. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Metabolic Profiling of Hoodia, Chamomile, Terminalia Species and Evaluation of Commercial Preparations Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. ↗
    PMID 28454188 ↗
    Journal Planta Med
    Year 2017
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28454188/
    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.
  8. Animal study LOW evidence YELLOW
    In vitro anti-HIV and antioxidant activity of Hoodia gordonii (Apocynaceae), a commercial plant product. ↗
    PMID 27776523 ↗
    Journal BMC Complement Altern Med
    Year 2016
    Study type Animal study
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27776523/
    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.
  9. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    The effect of two weeks ingestion of a bitter tastant mixture on energy intake in overweight females. ↗
    PMID 27522037 ↗
    Journal Appetite
    Year 2016
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27522037/
    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.
  10. Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
    Pregnane Glycosides from Cynanchum marnierianum Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion in STC-1 Cells. ↗
    PMID 27224272 ↗
    Journal Planta Med
    Year 2016
    Study type Observational / other
    Evidence strength LOW evidence
    PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27224272/
    Tsoukalas M et al.. Pregnane Glycosides from Cynanchum marnierianum Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion in STC-1 Cells.. Planta Med. 2016. PMID:27224272.
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06

Score Transparency

Q × L × D × S × 10 = 4.0 / 10

The GIRI Score is the product of four independently computed evidence components, each normalised to 0–1, then scaled to 0–10. Every component is derived exclusively from peer-reviewed references and regulatory data — no editorial judgement is applied.

Q
Evidence Quantity 0 / 10
0%

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)

L
Evidence Quality 5 / 10
50%

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.

D
Evidence Direction 5 / 10
Benefit
Risk
50%

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.

S
Safety Signals 5 / 10
50%

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.

0Q × 5L × 5D × 5S = 4.0 / 10

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.
07

Risk Level Classification

MODERATE RISK 4.0/10

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.

LOW
0–3.0
MODERATE
3.0–5.5
HIGH
5.5–7.5
CRITICAL
7.5–10
4.0

The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.

What drove the Moderate classification for Hoodia

GIRI Score 4.0 / 10

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.

Evidence Quantity (Q) 0 / 10 refs

0 approved references.

Evidence Quality (L) 50%

Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).

Evidence Direction (D) 50% toward risk

Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.

Safety Signals (S) 0 active signals

No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.

Regulatory Status 1 jurisdiction with restrictions

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:

LevelScoreMeaning
LOW0.0 – 2.9Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts.
MODERATE3.0 – 5.4Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups.
HIGH5.5 – 7.4Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended.
CRITICAL7.5 – 10Regulatory 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.

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