Caralluma fimbriata

Caralluma fimbriata is a succulent, desert‑dwelling cactus belonging to the Apocynaceae family, traditionally used in India and Nepal as a famine‑food and for its appetite‑suppressing properties. Modern research focuses on its potential to support weight‑management and metabolic health, making it a popular ingredient in dietary‑supplement formulations.

• Composition: Contains a complex mixture of pregnane‑type glycosides (e.g., carallumin, caralluma‑E) and flavonoids (quercetin‑glycosides, kaempferol).
• Carallumin:
  • Principal bioactive steroid.
  • Molecular formula: C₄₀H₆₈O₁₁
  • Molecular weight: 676.9 g mol⁻¹
  • IUPAC name: (2S,3R,5S)-3‑hydroxy‑21‑((3‑hydroxy‑4‑methoxy‑phenyl)oxy)‑14‑(hydroxymethyl)‑5‑hydroxy‑pregn‑20‑en‑2‑one‑3‑O‑β‑D‑glucopyranoside
  • Structure features: A C‑21 steroid backbone with a 3‑O‑glucose moiety and a side‑chain phenolic moiety, conferring both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties.
• Flavonoid constituents: Have typical flavone skeletons (C₁₅H₁₀O₂) with hydroxyl and methoxy substituents that enhance antioxidant capacity.
• Overall extract properties: High lipophilicity facilitates membrane permeability, while the sugar moiety improves solubility, facilitating oral bioavailability.

• Native region: Native to the arid regions of India, Pakistan, and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Cultivation: Commercially cultivated in controlled greenhouse environments in India and Nepal to ensure consistent phytochemical content; wild‑harvested material is discouraged due to sustainability concerns.
• Extraction: Typically employs ethanol‑water (70 % v/v) or super‑critical CO₂ to obtain a standardized extract containing ≥3 %‑carallumic acid.
• Quality control:
  • HPLC‑UV quantification of the pregnane glycosides.
  • Verification of heavy‑metal limits.
  • Microbial testing (ISO 22000).
• Manufacturing standards: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified manufacturers label extracts as “standardized to 3 %‑carallumic acid,” ensuring batch‑to‑batch consistency.
• Further purification: For high‑purity applications, the glycoside fraction can be further purified by liquid‑chromatography, though most dietary supplements use the whole‑plant extract to retain synergistic flavonoids.