“This was not surprising considering that some levels of efficacy in the safety studies were observed at higher dosages suggesting that future development should focus on the formulation of higher doses of the spray-dried sap extract. In a 5 and 15-day repeat dose study using the concentrated active ingredient extract there was a clear anorectic effect and a substantial reduction in caloric intake compared to the placebo.”

“In the 15-day repeat dose study there were mild side effects such as taste perversion and isolated reversible hyperbilirubinaemia (excess of bile pigment in the blood). There were no signs of abnormal ECG, vital signs or physical examination findings during the study. The exaggerated effect on caloric intake suggests lower dosage levels for further evaluation of the concentrated extract in a solid formulation,” added Dr Maharaj.

A full synopsis of the findings of these is made available through the CSIR web-based research space and includes the following:

1. A single Phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending single oral dose, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic study in obese male subjects using a spray-dried extract of Hoodia as the active substance formulated as capsules (coded P57FP). The study intended to include both male and female, but only males were enrolled.
2. A Phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending oral dose study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a spray-dried extract of Hoodia formulated into capsules (coded P57FP) in male volunteers.
3. A Phase I, placebo-controlled, 14-day repeat dose study in an ascending dose parallel group design to establish the safety, tolerability and effects of a spray-dried extract of Hoodia formulated into capsules (coded P57FP) in suppressing appetite in non-patient male volunteers.
4. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 15-day repeat dose study, with a single dose escalation stage, to establish the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability and effects of the concentrated spray-dried extract (coded PYM50027) in healthy male subjects.
5. An independent expert review of laboratory data from Hoodia studies.

“Commercialisation of Hoodia gordonii as a dietary supplement has created major interest around the world and further development of Hoodia as a functional food for management of weight remains important,” said Dr Maharaj.

“The development going forward requires clinical studies which are typically multi-million rand investments.  The clinical studies have not been scoped yet, so no precise budgets are available at this stage. The CSIR does not have a budget for further development at this stage - as is typical of the model for funding projects of this nature in the National System of Innovation, the CSIR will engage with all stakeholders, public funding institutions and potential licensees to support further development.  Funds are allocated on properly motivated, stage gated applications with detailed plans,” he added.

When the CSIR signed a cooperation agreement with Phytopharm, a United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical development company in November 2010 for the further development and commercialisation of Hoodia gordonii, the CSIR acquired the rights to substantial know-how and IP developed when the former license agreement was in place.  During this time, many technical issues around the agronomy, extraction of the active ingredients, and other processing or manufacturing related challenges were resolved.