Extraction and Isolation of Active Phytochemical Constituents from Garcinia cambogia for Anti-Obesity Activity.

Obesity is a major health concern worldwide, and it is leading to worsening disease morbidity and mortality. Herbal supplements and diet-based therapies have attracted interest in the treatment of obesity. Even though many supplements are available, this study is focused on Garcinia cambogia (GC), also called Malabar tamarind, which contains polyphenols that have anti-obesity activity. Food supplements of plant origin for weight control are being demanded by the population globally as a way to promote good health. Among them, those based on Garcinia cambogia are widely commercialized considering their bioactive properties, mainly due to (-) hydroxycitric acid (-HCA). However, recently, controversy has arisen over their safety; thus, further research and continuous monitoring of their composition are required. Hence, in this work, a multi-analytical approach has been performed for the extraction and isolation of not only (-)-HCA but also other active phytochemical constituents for anti-obesity activity. Moreover, many studies paved the way for the detection of different compounds present in G. cambogia fruits. This multi-analytical methodology is shown to be advantageous in addressing different fraudulent practices affecting the quality of these supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]