Caratuberside

PhytochemicalSaponin

What is it

Caratuberside refers to a group of steroidal glycosides isolated from the African plant Caralluma tuberculata and related Caralluma species. These compounds are studied as constituents of appetite-suppressing botanical extracts.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Appetite suppression (as part of whole extract)

Mixed Evidence

Whole Caralluma fimbriata extracts have shown modest appetite-suppressing effects in small RCTs. Evidence specifically for caratuberside as an isolated compound is essentially absent.

How it works

Caratubersides are pregnane glycosides structurally related to other steroidal glycosides used in appetite-suppressant botanicals (notably P57 from Hoodia gordonii). Their proposed mechanism involves interaction with hypothalamic satiety pathways. Direct human evidence specific to caratuberside as an isolated compound is essentially absent; most data describe whole Caralluma extracts.

Dosage

No standardized human dose exists for purified caratuberside. Caralluma fimbriata extracts in commercial appetite-suppressant products typically deliver 500 to 1,000 mg per day.

When and how to take it

Whole Caralluma extracts are typically taken before meals to reduce appetite. No specific timing data exist for purified caratuberside.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Caralluma extract (whole)

Standardized extract sold in weight-management products.

Contains caratubersides plus other glycosides.

Safety

Human safety data on purified caratuberside are essentially absent. Whole Caralluma extracts have been reported to cause mild GI symptoms in clinical trials. Long-term safety is uncertain.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children due to lack of safety data. Caralluma plants belong to the same family (Apocynaceae) as other plants containing cardioactive compounds, so caution is warranted in people with cardiovascular conditions.

Interactions

No specific drug interactions are documented. Theoretical interactions with appetite-affecting medications cannot be ruled out.

Frequently asked questions

Is caratuberside the same as Hoodia P57?⌄

No, but they are structurally related steroidal glycosides found in different plants in similar pharmacological roles.

Does it really suppress appetite?⌄

Whole Caralluma extracts show modest effects in some trials. Evidence for purified caratuberside is essentially absent.

References

Caratuberside on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Caratuberside on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Caratuberside (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.