Super CitriMax®, a novel calcium/potassium (–)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) extract, has previously been reported to help control appetite and body weight in animals and humans. While the mechanisms of action are not fully defined, HCA has been shown to competitively inhibit the enzyme ATP citrate lyase necessary for fat synthesis, while Super CitriMax® has been shown to promote fat oxidation (the burning of fat) and raise levels of brain serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in appetite suppression. This paper highlights experiments conducted to assess acute and longer-term safety of Super CitriMax®. In acute oral and dermal (skin), as well as dermal and eye irritation tests, Super CitriMax® demonstrated a wide margin of safety. Super CitriMax® did not induce mutagenic effects in bacterial strains, nor in the cell gene mutation test using mouse lymphoma cells. The effects of Super CitriMax® on body weight and safety parameters were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats fed varying concentrations (0.2, 2.0, and 5.0%) of HCA in standard chow over a 90-day period. The lowest concentration (0.2%) corresponds to the daily dose of Super CitriMax® (2,772 mg HCA) used in human trials. Compared to controls, an expected significant decrease in body weight was observed in Super CitriMax®-fed animals. No significant differences between the two groups were seen when selected organ weights were measured individually or as a % of body or brain weight. The results of DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation measurements in the liver and testis indicate that Super CitriMax® did not damage genetic material or lipids (fats) in these tissues. In summary, feeding Super CitriMax® at concentrations equivalent to the recommended human dose (0.2%) and 10-25 fold higher than the recommended dose (2 and 5%) resulted in lower body weight, but did not cause any changes in major organs, blood or clinical chemistry or histopathology. Taken together, these results support the safe use of Super CitriMax® as a dietary supplement for weight management.

Source: Bagchi D, Shara M, Ohia SE, Yasmin T, Bagchi M, Chatterjee A, Stohs SJ, Safety Studies on a Novel, Natural Extract of (–)-Hydroxycitric Acid, a Supplement for Weight Management, Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology 78:Abs 1-S 1020, March, 2004.