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Findings from the clinical trials of Hoodia Gordonii
A clinical trial is defined as the effectiveness and safety of a medicine by studying its effect on a large group of people. They may be conducted by a government agency or a private research group from a hospital or medical university.
Often, the people subjected to the tests in these studies are volunteers while sometimes they may be paid a compensation for their participation. The total number of participants is divided into two groups. One group is given the drug to be tested while the other is given a placebo. Approval of any drug depends upon the results of the clinical trial. These are used to prevent any harmful drug from entering the market. However, sometimes the results of a clinical trial have been unreliable as long-term side effects are discovered later.
Clinical trials can save lives of volunteers suffering from incurable diseases. Experimental drugs have sometimes been used to cure diseases when all known treatments had failed to make an impact.
A clinical test may have one of the following four possible outcomes.
1. A positive trial – this indicates that the given treatment is an effective cure for the problem or is better than another standard treatment.
2. A non-inferior trial – this indicates that the given treatment is about as effective as an existing treatment
3. An inconclusive trial – this indicates that the given treatment is inferior to an existing treatment.
4. A negative trial – this indicates that the given treatment is inferior to the standard treatment already being used.
The first clinical trial of Hoodia was performed in 1937 by a Dutch ethno-biologist. He published a research paper based on the reports of the Bushmen from South Africa who had experienced the appetite suppressing qualities of Hoodia. This paper caught the attention of the South African Government who then decided to test Hoodia as a potential drug.
The first clinical trial was performed over rats. These rats were bred to be obese so that they may be used to test diabetic drugs. The other reason for using rats was their readiness to eat anything that was presented to them. The results of this test confirmed the appetite suppressant properties of Hoodia gordonii. The rate which received the Hoodia in their diet showed a considerable loss in weight without any side effects.
Phytopharms also conducted a clinical trial using a group people in double-blind test. During the test all the members had to continue their normal daily eating habits and exercise routines. One half of the group was given the hoodia while the other half received a placebo. The results of the trial were promising. The group that had taken the Hoodia reported a loss in weight and body fat. Their daily calorie intake has reduced by 1000 calories per day without any immediate side effects. This was enough encouragement for Phytopharm to continue testing. They have now partnered with Unilever to develop a weight loss product using Hoodia. The first of these products is Slim-Fast which will be made available by the end of 2008