Effect of acute administration of an herbal preparation on blood pressure and heart rate in humans.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the cardiovascular effects of a dietary supplement containing caffeine, bitter orange extract (p-synephrine), and green tea extract in mildly overweight individuals.
Results Summary
The study found no effects of the dietary supplement on heart rate, blood pressure, or mean arterial pressure. A small but significant decrease in resting respiratory exchange ratio was observed in low caffeine users, suggesting increased fat oxidation.
Population
Mildly overweight individuals (14 females, 9 males; age 24.7 ±7.4 yrs, BMI: 26.6 ±3.8).
Effective Dosage
13 mg p-synephrine and 176 mg caffeine per capsule, taken with each of three meals.
Duration
Two days (one day for each treatment arm).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a product containing caffeine, bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) and green tea extract | no change | heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure or mean arterial pressure | mildly overweight individuals | - | No effects | #1 |
a product containing caffeine, bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) and green tea extract | decrease | resting respiratory exchange ratio | the low caffeine user group | - | A small but significant decrease | #2 |
a product containing bitter orange extract, caffeine and green tea extract | no change | cardiovascular stress | - | - | does not lead to increased | #3 |
a product containing bitter orange extract, caffeine and green tea extract | increase | fat oxidation | certain populations | - | may increase | #4 |
Confusion and controversy exist regarding the cardiovascular effects of dietary supplements containing caffeine and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract. The primary protoalkaloidal ingredient in bitter orange extract is p-synephrine which has some structural similarities to ephedrine and nor-epinephrine, but exhibits markedly different pharmacokinetic and receptor binding properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular effects of a product containing caffeine, bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) and green tea extract in mildly overweight individuals. Fourteen female and nine male subjects (age 24.7 ±7.4 yrs, BMI: 26.6 ±3.8) volunteered in this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind designed study. On day one, subjects entered the laboratory following an overnight fast. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded at 60 min. Expired air was analyzed for the next 10 min of the session. At each of three meals, subjects ingested one capsule that was either a non-caloric placebo or a dietary supplement that contained 13 mg p-synephrine and 176 mg caffeine. On the following day, the subjects returned and repeated the protocol for data collection beginning 60 min after consuming one capsule of the placebo or the dietary supplement. No effects of the dietary supplement on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure or mean arterial pressure were observed. No between or within group differences were observed when data were analyzed for gender and caffeine usage. A small but significant decrease in resting respiratory exchange ratio was observed for the low caffeine user group in response to the product containing caffeine and p-synephrine. The results of this study indicate that ingestion of a product containing bitter orange extract, caffeine and green tea extract does not lead to increased cardiovascular stress and that fat oxidation may increase in certain populations.