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Caralluma fimbriata is a natural supplement traditionally used in India for appetite management. Its active compounds, pregnane glycosides, are proposed to influence appetite pathways, providing a plausible mechanism of action (Kuriyan et al., 2007). Clinical evidence, however, remains limited and mixed.
A systematic review and meta-analysis by Jayawardena et al. (2021) analyzed seven clinical trials involving 506 participants, finding that Caralluma fimbriata extract significantly reduced waist circumference (-1.59 cm, p=0.041) and waist-to-hip ratio (-0.06, p=0.05), but did not significantly affect body weight, BMI, or appetite compared to placebo. Similarly, a 2013 systematic review by Astell et al. (2013) of 14 double-blind RCTs concluded that while some plant extracts showed promise for appetite suppression and weight management, only Caralluma fimbriata and Garcinia cambogia plus Gymnema sylvestre combinations demonstrated consistent effects.
More recent studies provide additional insights. A 2021 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial by Rao et al. (2021) involving 83 overweight adults found that Caralluma fimbriata extract significantly reduced calorie intake, waist circumference, and weight compared to placebo over 16 weeks. Additionally, Kell et al. (2019) reported that the supplement significantly reduced anxiety and stress in a randomized, double-blind trial of 97 healthy adults over eight weeks.
In a specialized population study, Griggs et al. (2015) found that Caralluma fimbriata extract significantly reduced hyperphagia in children and adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome over four weeks.
Overall, while Caralluma fimbriata shows modest benefits for waist circumference reduction and may aid appetite management, evidence supporting significant weight loss is limited. It may be most effective as part of a broader strategy for appetite control or specific conditions like hyperphagia.
