IngredientsCitrin® is Sabinsa Corporation's trademarked name for a unique calcium salt of (−)-hydroxycitric acid ((−)-HCA), a weight-loss phytonutrient that Sabinsa Corporation was the first to standardize. Citrin® is derived from the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia, traditionally known as "Indian Malabar Tamarind." The name "Citrin" therefore refers specifically to a proprietary, standardized preparation of HCA from this botanical source, and should not be confused with the broader category of Garcinia cambogia extracts sold under other brand names, some of which differ in salt form, concentration, or excipient composition.
Common names include Garcinia cambogia, garcinia, Malabar tamarind, and brindle berry. The accepted Latin name is Garcinia gummi-gutta. Garcinia cambogia is a tree native to India and Southeast Asia, where it is commonly found in evergreen forests. The fruit has been used as a tea in folk medicine for inflammation and stomach complaints, while the fruit rind has a history of traditional use as a food preservative. The fruit rind contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been studied for its effect on appetite.
Chemically, the active principle is (−)-hydroxycitric acid, a hydroxy derivative of citric acid. A substantial amount of (−)-HCA, up to 30% by weight, is present in the pericarp of the fruit of G. cambogia. Of the four isomers of HCA — (–)-HCA, (+)-HCA, (–)-allo-HCA, and (+)-allo-HCA — (−)-HCA, also known as (2S,3S)-HCA, was the only potent inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase.
Citrin® was the first commercially produced ingredient to effectively provide the clinically documented benefits of (−)-HCA to the nutritional supplement industry. Since its introduction in 1991, it has achieved worldwide recognition as the Garcinia cambogia extract that revolutionized the use of (−)-HCA for weight management.
Sabinsa subsequently developed multiple salt forms to address solubility and mineral co-benefit considerations:
Sabinsa Corporation received independent GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) designation for its flagship product Citrin®K for use in non-alcoholic beverages. Citrin®K, a Garcinia cambogia extract protected under U.S. Patents #5,783,603 and 6,770,782, has been marketed as a dietary supplement ingredient in the United States since 1995 for use in formulations that are helpful in maintaining a healthy body weight and energy balance, and in beneficially influencing satiety. Up to 2500 ppm of Citrin®K can be safely added to non-alcoholic beverages.
In addition to the Citrin® line, a later derivative formulation known as GarCitrin® was developed. GarCitrin® is a patent-pending product combining the weight management benefits of hydroxycitric acid with the bioavailability-enhancing effects of garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone isolated from Garcinia cambogia and Garcinia indica.
Known as Malabar tamarind, Garcinia gummi-gutta has been used for centuries in Southeastern Asia as an appetite suppressant to make meals more filling and satisfying. The fruit rind is also known for its extensive culinary purposes. Native to south India, Garcinia cambogia is dried and used extensively in curries. In southern Thailand, where it is known as som khaek, it is a small, pumpkin-shaped fruit and a southern Thai kitchen staple whose zesty tang makes it a popular substitute for tamarind.
Garcinia cambogia has been historically used in the Ayurvedic treatment of obesity. Its extract is a source of gamma-hydroxycitric acid, which is beneficial for weight loss due to appetite-suppressant effects and inhibition of the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver.
The plant parts of Garcinia cambogia, commonly known as Malabar tamarind, have been used by many Asian countries in traditional medicine for treating intestinal parasites, constipation, cancer, piles, bowel complaints, rheumatism, edema, delayed menstruation, bilious affections, and other diseases.
Traditional Keralan practices extended to postpartum recovery: traditional practices in Kerala include using the fruit extract as a uterine tonic, with women consuming it daily from 60 days postpartum as part of recovery.
The fruit has been used as a tea in folk medicine for inflammation and stomach complaints, while the fruit rind has a history of traditional use as a food preservative. The decoction of Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit rind works against rheumatism and bowel complaints and has also been employed in veterinary medicine as a rinse for diseases of the mouth in cattle. In Indian folk medicine, as a dried powder or tea, it is indicated as a laxative and for rheumatism.
The rind of the fruit is the most extensively studied part of the plant. Hydroxycitric acid, the most abundant constituent of the fruit rind, apart from other constituents, has been reported to be the active principle for many of its useful properties.
Various phytochemicals including flavonoids and organic acids have been identified in this plant. Among all types of organic acids, hydroxycitric acid — or more specifically, (−)-hydroxycitric acid — has been identified as a potential supplement for weight management and as an antiobesity agent.
The G. cambogia fruit is a valued weight-loss supplement owing to its richness in organic acids, mainly hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and HCA lactone, benzophenones, and polyisoprenylated benzophenones, namely garcinol (camboginol or guttiferone E) and isogarcinol (cambogin), guttiferone I, guttiferone N, guttiferone J, guttiferone K, and guttiferone M. Xanthones were also reported in G. cambogia such as garbogiol, rheediaxanthone A, oxy-guttiferone I, oxy-guttiferone K, oxy-guttiferone K2, and oxy-guttiferone M.
Phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of HCA as the primary organic acid in this plant, along with secondary metabolites such as benzophenones (garcinol and guttiferones I, J, K, M, and N), xanthones, and flavonoids.
The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, and proteins has been demonstrated by preliminary phytochemical studies. These phytochemicals exert several important functions, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The root contains the xanthone called garbogiol. The bark of the stem contains benzophenones such as garcinol and isogarcinol. G. cambogia has been described to contain polyisoprenylated benzophenones (precursors of xanthones). Studies have isolated garcinol and isogarcinol from the plant's bark and fruit. Both compounds have been shown to have antitumour, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
(−)-HCA was shown to be a potent inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.8), which catalyzes the extramitochondrial cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA: citrate + ATP + CoA → acetyl-CoA + ADP + Pi + oxaloacetate. Citrin®K competes with citrate for the enzymatic activity of ATP citrate lyase in the cytoplasm. As a result, less acetyl coenzyme A is formed from citrate. Acetyl coenzyme A is a major precursor of fatty acids and malonyl coenzyme A.
Several studies have shown that Garcinia cambogia plays an important role in the regulation of endogenous lipid biosynthesis. This effect is specially attributed to (−)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) inhibiting the enzyme ATP-dependent citrate lyase, which catalyzes the cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA.
(−)-HCA's inhibition of citrate lyase causes less dietary glucose to be utilized for the synthesis of fatty acids. Thus, dietary glucose is instead converted into its storage form, glycogen, which sends a metabolic message to the brain that the body has consumed enough food, resulting in an appetite suppressant effect. In addition, the stored glycogen is available for energy requirements during exercise.
More recently, HCA has been shown to be effective in suppressing appetite by modulating the levels of serotonin related to satiety, increasing fat oxidation, and reducing de novo lipogenesis, leading to reduced food consumption and body fat.
In rat brain cortex, a novel HCA extract (HCA-SX, Super CitriMax™) increases the release/availability of radiolabeled 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin ([³H]-5-HT), a neurotransmitter implicated in the regulation of eating behavior and appetite control. HCA-SX and fluoxetine plus clomipramine inhibited the time-dependent uptake of [³H]-5-HT. At 90 min, HCA-SX (300 µM) caused a 20% decrease, whereas fluoxetine plus clomipramine inhibited [³H]-5-HT uptake by 30%. The exact mechanism of serotonin modulation in humans remains incompletely characterized.
Studies have shown that the extracts as well as (−)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a main organic acid component of the fruit rind, exhibit anti-obesity activity including reduced food intake and body fat gain by regulating the serotonin levels related to satiety, increased fat oxidation, and decreased de novo lipogenesis. HCA is a potent inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate–citrate lyase, a catalyst for the conversion process of citrate to acetyl-coenzyme A, which plays a key role in fatty acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride syntheses.
Evidence level: Mixed; small but statistically significant effects in some meta-analyses, but clinical relevance is debated.
The aim of a systematic review was to examine the efficacy of Garcinia extract, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), as a weight reduction agent using data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Twenty-three eligible trials were identified and twelve were included. Nine trials provided data suitable for statistical pooling. The meta-analysis revealed a small, statistically significant difference in weight loss favouring HCA over placebo (MD: −0.88 kg; 95% CI: −1.75, −0.00).
It was concluded that the RCTs suggest that Garcinia extracts/HCA can cause short-term weight loss. However, although several studies have found that the administration of G. cambogia extracts is associated with body weight and fat loss in both experimental animals and humans, caution is warranted when interpreting the results, as other randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have not reported the same outcomes. Furthermore, most studies in humans have been conducted on small samples and mainly in the short term.
Of 14 included studies in a scoping review comparing Garcinia cambogia to placebo for weight and BMI change, all failed to demonstrate a clinically significant decrease in weight or BMI. Thus, none of the included studies provides sufficient evidence to support the claims made by listed weight-loss products containing Garcinia cambogia (HCA).
The potential of (−)-HCA as a weight-lowering compound has been recognized since the 1970s and is supported by clinical data. However, clinical studies have sometimes shown inconclusive data, most likely due to poor bioavailability of HCA in the cytosol of target cells. A high-fiber diet is thought to reduce the absorption of HCA. Because its efficacy in inhibiting ATP citrate lyase depends entirely on the presence of HCA inside the target cell, reduced HCA absorption would decrease its weight-lowering effects.
Evidence level: Moderate; statistically significant effects on total cholesterol and triglycerides shown in meta-analysis, though trials are heterogeneous and relatively small.
A systematic review and meta-analysis included 14 trials involving 623 subjects examining the impact of Garcinia cambogia on serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma levels of TC (WMD: −6.76 mg/dL; CI: −12.39 to −0.59, p = 0.032) and TG (WMD: −24.21 mg/dL; CI: −37.84 to −10.58, p < 0.001) were significantly reduced after Garcinia cambogia use.
One study conducted for 8 weeks showed a significant reduction in triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol levels of lipid profiles in human subjects treated with HCA versus a placebo group. Nevertheless, the effect of HCA on humans has not been conclusive.
Evidence level: Preliminary and inconsistent in human trials; clearer in animal models.
Various in vivo studies have contributed to the understanding of the anti-obesity effects of Garcinia/hydroxycitric acid via regulation of serotonin level and glucose uptake. Besides, it also helps to enhance fat oxidation while reducing de novo lipogenesis. However, results from clinical studies showed both negative and positive antiobesity effects of Garcinia/hydroxycitric acid.
Two-week supplementation with HCA and HCA combined with medium-chain triglycerides did not result in increased satiety. The findings were in line with previous reports where no significant treatment effects were observed on appetite indices.
Evidence level: Preliminary; a meta-analysis found a significant decrease, but trial quality was mixed.
A meta-analysis found that supplementation with Garcinia cambogia (median 2900 mg/day for dose and 8 weeks for duration of intervention) was associated with a significant decrease in serum leptin (WMD: −5.01 ng/ml; 95% CI: −9.22 to −0.80, p = 0.02). Quality assessment showed that half of the included trials were considered to have fair quality, while the other half were deemed to have poor quality.
Evidence level: Very preliminary; a single small RCT in a specific population.
One trial assessed the effects of a calorie-restricted diet (CRD) with HCA supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones, obesity indices, body composition, and appetite in 44 overweight/obese women with NAFLD. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (receiving individual CRD plus HCA tablets per day) or a control group (receiving only CRD) for 8 weeks. Obesity indices, body composition, appetite status, and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were assessed before and after the intervention. Forty patients completed the trial. Participants were asked to take two HCA tablets before each meal per day (six HCA tablets per day).
Evidence level: Weak in humans; animal data suggest glucose-absorption delay, but this did not translate to meaningful effects in type 2 diabetes patients in an RCT.
HCA, derived from the fruit Garcinia cambogia, reduces the rate of glucose absorption and lowers postprandial glycemia in rodents, but its effect in humans was initially unknown.
A randomized controlled trial examined this question directly: Twelve healthy participants and 8 patients with type 2 diabetes received an intraduodenal infusion of HCA (2800 mg in water) or control (water) over 60 min, followed by an intraduodenal infusion of 60 g glucose over 120 min, in a double-blind, randomized crossover design. In healthy individuals, small intestinal exposure to HCA resulted in a modest reduction in glycemia and stimulation of plasma GIP and glucagon, but no effect on plasma GLP-1 or insulin, or on glucose absorption. HCA had no effect on glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although HCA is marketed as a weight-loss agent, in healthy adults it was found acutely to augment glucose-induced secretion of GIP, which has been regarded as a "fat-promoting" hormone.
Garcinia cambogia has antioxidant, anticancer, antihistamine, and antimicrobial properties. The crude extract or constituents from the plant also exerted hypolipidaemic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anthelmintic, anticholinesterase, and hepatoprotective activities in in vitro and in vivo models. These activities are primarily based on preclinical research, and human clinical evidence for most of these areas is absent or insufficient.
Citrin® and related HCA preparations are commercially available in capsule and tablet form, as standardized powders for incorporation into formulas, and as standardized liquids. Citrin®K is a water-soluble product, available as a standardized powdered extract or a standardized liquid.
Specific dosages reported in published or cited studies include:
Hepatotoxicity is the most clinically important safety concern associated with Garcinia cambogia-derived supplements, including Citrin®-containing products.
More than 200 adverse events of liver injury resulting from Garcinia consumption have been identified. A total of 34 case reports of Garcinia hepatotoxicity indicated one death and nine liver transplants, with 17 cases receiving CIOMS/RUCAM scores that indicated possible to highly probable causality due to Garcinia dietary supplements.
The US FDA issued a warning in 2009 on Hydroxycutâ„¢ products related to hepatotoxicity due to 23 cases of liver damage, including one death and a liver transplant. Botanical dietary supplements derived from the fruit of the tree Garcinia gummi-gutta are used to support weight loss but are increasingly linked to adverse events and case reports of liver injury. Clinical case reports of liver injury associated with Garcinia dietary supplements prompted the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) to revise the USP Garcinia family of dietary ingredient monographs to include a cautionary statement regarding potential risk of liver damage.
The pattern of liver injury caused by Garcinia cambogia was noted to be hepatocellular and cholestatic in most of the case reports. All of these cases presented with nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, malaise, abdominal pain, and jaundice. The pattern of liver injury was hepatocellular in the majority of cases except for three cases that presented with cholestatic pattern. Six patients (24%) required orthotopic liver transplant.
Most cases developed hepatotoxicity over a couple of weeks to a couple of months after initiating the product. Reactions ranged from mild, symptomatic hepatitis to, in a few instances, acute liver failure requiring liver transplant.
Several individual case reports over the years have raised concern for the hepatotoxic potential of G. cambogia. The exact mechanism is unclear. One study in mice suggested that G. cambogia may increase hepatic collagen accumulation and lipid peroxidation resulting in oxidative stress. The study also revealed increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, resulting in hepatocyte injury and inflammatory response.
HCA has been shown to act as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), increasing serotonin levels and serotonin toxicity. A documented case involved a 35-year-old woman on stable treatment with escitalopram (an SSRI) for one year, who developed tremors, flushing, and diaphoresis after using a Garcinia cambogia extract (60% HCA) supplement for weight loss during the last 2–3 months. She was diagnosed with serotonergic syndrome and treatment with escitalopram was stopped. The patient did not mention the Garcinia cambogia intake to her doctor; after 2 weeks without any antidepressant, the doctor prescribed another antidepressant. The patient was admitted to hospital with symptoms of serotonin syndrome, and treatment with SSRIs and Garcinia cambogia supplements was discontinued.
G. cambogia extracts and their hydroxycitric acid (HCA) derivatives have experimental animal and human data supporting increases in the concentrations of endogenous serotonin. This case illustrates how the addition of G. cambogia to an SSRI regimen was associated with the development of symptoms consistent with serotonin toxicity.
Hepatotoxicity followed by central nervous system effects resembling serotonin syndrome were the most frequent adverse events reported in adverse event databases.
Due to cases of rhabdomyolysis, it is not recommended to take Garcinia cambogia with lipid-lowering drugs such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), as there may be an increased risk of this adverse effect. There was a case report of rhabdomyolysis being caused following the ingestion of an herbal medicine containing G. cambogia. Caution is recommended when administering statins with other medications which may cause rhabdomyolysis.
G. cambogia may increase the hypoglycaemic effects of antidiabetic agents. It is suggested that blood sugars be closely monitored when using both Garcinia cambogia and antidiabetic medications.
Gastrointestinal adverse events were twice as common in the HCA group compared with placebo in one included study of the systematic review.
There is a lack of tight regulation of herbal supplements by the United States Food and Drug Administration, which raises a concern for safety. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, supplements, unlike prescription and over-the-counter medications, require proven toxicity prior to FDA sanctions. As noted above, the USP has issued cautionary revisions to its Garcinia monographs in response to the accumulating liver injury case literature.
Health conditions that Citrin may help support.
Body systems that Citrin may help support.
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