African Hoodia Gordonii cactus plant could tackle obesity

An African cactus used by hunters to stave off hunger, could be used to tackle obesity thanks to a British company.

The Hoodia plant contains an ingredient which suppresses appetite.

Cambridge-based Phytopharm has isolated the ingredient called P57 and has already tested it on healthy volunteers.

Tests on obese patients are due to start in June.

Experts say the treatment could be available in tablet form by 2003.

Phytopharm's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Daryl Rees, said: "Kung tribesmen didn't eat while they hunted. To lose their appetite they would chop off the cactus stem and munch on it for a couple of days.

"We are now growing the plants in large areas of desert in South Africa."

There are hopes that P57, which is licensed to US drugs giant Pfizer, could also help diabetics.

Phytopharm develop medicines from traditional plant-based treatments.

More than 100 million people worldwide are affected badly enough by obesity for them to need medical help. The condition is known to cause strokes, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.