title: Hoodia gordonii extract targets both adipose and muscle tissue to achieve weight loss in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne (family Apocynaceae) is consumed globally as a natural appetite suppressant. While this effect-and its subsequent effect of weight loss-has been reported in the scientific literature, no information is available on the specific tissue types affected that accounts for the significant weight loss reported after consumption of the plant. Furthermore, most studies are performed on lean animals, so that the response of overweight or obese individuals to this plant supplement remains largely unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve lean and twelve obese male Wistar rats were supplemented with different doses of Hoodia gordonii extract (80 or 160 mg/kg body mass twice daily) in a placebo-controlled study, for a period of 14 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All supplemented rats exhibited significant weight loss (P<0.001). This could be ascribed to decrease in both adipose cell size and skeletal muscle fibre size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the weight loss seen after consumption of Hoodia gordonii is due to loss of both adipose and muscle mass.
authors: Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa. Electronic address: csmith@sun.ac.za.
authors: Carine
authors: C
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa.
authors: Annadie
authors: A
authors: Krygsman
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029062:Apocynaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Adipocyte; Appetite suppression; Cardiac hypertrophy; Gastric emptying; P57; Skeletal muscle atrophy