CRD summary

This review assessed the safety and efficacy of the herbal remedy citrus aurantium for weight loss. The authors concluded that they found no evidence that citrus aurantium is effective for weight loss and that safety information is extremely limited. The authors' conclusion is justified given the paucity of evidence in this area. This was a reasonably well-conducted review.

Authors' objectives

To assess the safety and efficacy of the herbal remedy citrus aurantium for weight loss.

Searching

MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews and the Cochrane CENTRAL Register were searched from 1966 to 2004. No language restrictions were applied.

Study selection

Assessment of study quality

The studies were assessed for quality based on the 5-point Jadad scale. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for quality.

Data extraction

The authors did not state how the data were extracted for the review, or how many reviewers performed the data extraction. Data were extracted on the baseline weight, weight at 6 weeks, percentage change and P-value, as reported in the study, from tests of within-group changes in weight.

Methods of synthesis

Results of the review

One RCT with 23 participants was included in the review.

The study was given a quality score of 3 out of a possible 5, because the randomisation procedure was not reported and reasons for the withdrawal of three participants were not stated.

The participants receiving the herbal mixture containing citrus aurantium lost an average of 1.4 kg in 6 weeks, dropping from 90.9 to 89.5 kg (a 1.5% change), which was a statistically significant within-group change from baseline (P=0.05). Participants receiving the placebo lost an average of 0.9 kg, dropping from 83.6 to 82.7 kg (a 1.1% change). Participants who were in the no-placebo control group lost an average of 0.4 kg, dropping from 78.1 to 77.7 kg (a 0.5% change).

The authors stated that although the study reported no significant changes in laboratory tests, blood-pressure, heart rate or electrocardiograms, these data were not presented. They also stated that no data on adverse events were presented.

Authors' conclusions

There was no evidence that citrus aurantium is effective for weight loss. Information on safety was extremely limited.

CRD commentary

The review question was clear in terms of the study design, interventions and outcomes of interest. Four electronic databases were searched for relevant studies, with no language restrictions applied. However, the authors made no attempt to search for unpublished data, thus increasing the potential for publication bias. The study selection and quality assessment processes were carried out in duplicate, which reduces the potential for errors and reviewer bias. The authors did not, however, state how the data were extracted from the primary study, therefore the potential for errors and reviewer bias cannot be assessed. The included study was assessed for quality using an appropriate validated quality assessment instrument. The study was described in adequate detail. This was a reasonably well-conducted review and the authors' conclusion is justified given the paucity of evidence in this area, although relevant unpublished studies might have been missed.

Implications of the review for practice and research

The authors did not state any implications for practice or further research.

Bibliographic details

Bent S, Padula A, Neuhaus J. Safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium for weight loss. American Journal of Cardiology 2004; 94(10): 1359-1361. [PubMed: 15541270]

Indexing Status

Subject indexing assigned by NLM

MeSH

Citrus /adverse effects; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Obesity /drug therapy; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations /adverse effects /therapeutic use; Synephrine /therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome; Weight Loss /drug effects

AccessionNumber

12004006974

Database entry date

31/03/2006

Record Status

This is a critical abstract of a systematic review that meets the criteria for inclusion on DARE. Each critical abstract contains a brief summary of the review methods, results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the review and the conclusions drawn.