Griffonia simplicifolia

Two small RCTs using Griffonia extract specifically (oral/sublingual spray, n=20 and n=27) showed significantly increased satiety and reduced BMI in overweight women. Three placebo-controlled 5-HTP trials by Cangiano et al. (n=19-25 each) demonstrated reduced food intake, decreased carbohydrate consumption, and weight loss in obese subjects, including those with type 2 diabetes (750 mg/day). An 8-week RCT in trained adults found 5-HTP may reduce body fat mass.

In rodent models, Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract (10-25 mg/kg) significantly increased time in the light compartment in the dark-light test and reduced thigmotaxis in the open field, indicating anxiolytic-like effects. A double-blind trial compared 5-HTP to clomipramine and placebo in anxiety disorders. A controlled infusion study (n=40) found 5-HTP did not provoke panic in panic disorder patients and some reported subjective relief.

A 12-week single-blinded RCT (n=30) in older adults found 100 mg/day 5-HTP improved sleep quality components measured by PSQI and actigraphy, especially in poor sleepers. A crossover RCT in Parkinson's patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (n=18) showed 50 mg/day 5-HTP increased total REM sleep percentage without worsening RBD episodes. Earlier foundational studies in normal subjects documented 5-HTP effects on sleep architecture via serotonin-to-melatonin conversion.

A double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=50) found 5-HTP 300 mg/day for 30 days significantly improved tender point count, subjective pain intensity, morning stiffness, sleep patterns, anxiety, and fatigue in primary fibromyalgia patients. A 90-day open-label study (n=50) confirmed significant improvements across all clinical parameters (p<0.001). Side effects were mild and transient in both studies.

An RCT (n=124) comparing 5-HTP to methysergide for migraine prophylaxis found significant improvement in 71% of the 5-HTP group (vs 75% for methysergide), with 5-HTP primarily reducing intensity and duration. A double-blind crossover in children (n=27) and a crossover in chronic primary headache (n=31) showed trends favoring 5-HTP over placebo. A placebo-controlled trial in chronic tension-type headache (n=78) and a prospective study both supported preventive effects. A long-term study found 5-HTP significantly decreased migraine appearance.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 5-HTP (the active compound in Griffonia seeds) encompassing 13 studies found large effect sizes for depression remission (Hedges' g = 1.11). An RCT (n=60) found 5-HTP comparable to fluoxetine for first-episode depression (73% vs 80% response). A Cochrane-style review concluded 5-HTP is superior to placebo for unipolar depression. A small crossover RCT in Parkinson's patients (n=25) showed significant improvement in depression scores. Most evidence uses isolated 5-HTP rather than whole Griffonia extract.

A Griffonia extract oral spray RCT (n=20) in overweight women found significant reductions in BMI, skinfold thickness, and hip circumference vs placebo over 4 weeks. Double-blind crossover 5-HTP trials (8 mg/kg/day) in obese women demonstrated weight loss without dietary restriction. A placebo-controlled trial in overweight diabetic patients (750 mg/day, n=25) showed reduced body weight. Effects are likely mediated via serotonin-induced satiety signaling.