Safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium for weight loss.
To examine the safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium, an herb now commonly used as a substitute for ephedra in dietary supplements marketed to promote weight loss, we conducted a systematic review. An extensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and the Cochrane Collaboration Database identified only 1 eligible randomized placebo controlled trial, which followed 20 patients for 6 weeks, demonstrated no statistically significant benefit for weight loss, and provided limited information about the safety of the herb.
Bent
Stephen
S
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, USA. bent@itsa.ucsf.edu
Padula
Amy
A
Neuhaus
John
J
D002957:Citrus / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013578:Synephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D028321:Plant Preparations; D013578:Synephrine