Acute Hepatitis due to Garcinia Cambogia Extract, an Herbal Weight Loss Supplement.

Akshay Sharma,Camelia Arsene,Murray Ehrinpreis,Geetha Krishnamoorthy,Sachin Goyal,Elisa Akagi,Aji Njie

doi:10.1155/2018/9606171

Abstract

The Drug Induced Liver Injury Network reports dietary supplements as one of the most important causes of drug induced hepatotoxicity, yet millions of people use these supplements without being aware of their potential life-threatening side effects. Garcinia cambogia (GC) extract is an herbal weight loss supplement, reported to cause fulminant hepatic failure. We present a case of a 57-year-old female with no previous history of liver disease, who presented with acute hepatitis due to GC extract taken for weight loss, which resolved after stopping it and got reaggravated on retaking it. Obtaining a history of herbal supplement use is critical in the evaluation of acute hepatitis.

Highlights

Fighting obesity can be challenging, and dietary supplements advertised as “slimming aids” are being widely used by people to manage weight loss [1]
We present a case of acute hepatitis due to Garcinia cambogia (GC) extract, which resolved after stopping the supplement and got reaggravated on retaking it
The exact mechanism by which GC extract causes liver injury is still unclear but a recent study on mice demonstrated that it exacerbates steatohepatitis by increasing hepatic collagen accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and levels of proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [9]

Summary

Introduction

Fighting obesity can be challenging, and dietary supplements advertised as “slimming aids” are being widely used by people to manage weight loss [1]. Some of these supplements have potential life-threatening side effects. Extract of Garcinia cambogia (GC), a tropical fruit, is sold as a weight loss supplement. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is the active ingredient in GC that is associated with fat metabolism and weight loss. Hepatotoxicity due to GC extract has been reported, including cases of fulminant hepatic failure [1]. We present a case of acute hepatitis due to GC extract, which resolved after stopping the supplement and got reaggravated on retaking it

Case Presentation

Discussion

Findings

Disclosure