Principal acid found in the fruit of various species of garcinia, q.v., especially the Malabar tamarind, Garcinia cambogia Desr., Guttiferae (alt. Clusiaceae). Nutraceutical used in weight loss preparations. Competitive inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase, a key enzyme in lipogenesis. Synthesis (unspecified stereo): H. Kiliani, P. Loeffler, Ber. 37, 3612 (1904); of all four stereoisomers: C. Martius, R. Maué, Z. Phys. Chem. 269, 33 (1941). Isoln from G. cambogia: Y. S. Lewis, S. Neelakantan, Phytochemistry 4, 619 (1965) DOI; Y. S. Lewis, Methods Enzymol. 13, 613 (1969) DOI. Abs config of lactone: J. P. Glusker et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 132, 573 (1969) DOI PubMed. Enzyme inhibition: J. A. Watson et al., ibid. 135, 209 (1969) DOI PubMed; and effect on lipogenesis: A. C. Sullivan et al., ibid. 150, 183 (1972) DOI PubMed. HPLC determn in commercial extracts: G. K. Jayaprakasha, K. K. Sakariah, J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 23, 915 (2000) DOI. GC-MS determn in blood: Y. C. Loe et al., Anal. Biochem. 292, 148 (2001) DOI PubMed. Review of chemistry and biological effects: B. S. Jena et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 50, 10-22 (2002) DOI PubMed.
Unspecified mixed calcium and potassium salts. Description and safety assessment: M. G. Soni et al., Food Chem. Toxicol. 42, 1513 (2004) DOI PubMed. Review of clinical experience for weight management: H. G. Preuss et al., J. Med. 35, 33-48 (2004) PubMed.
Naturally occurring isomer found in hibiscus flowers. Isoln from Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malvaceae: C. Griebel, Z. Unters. Lebensm. 77, 561 (1939) DOI.