The stimulant higenamine in weight loss and sports supplements

Abstract

Background: Higenamine is a stimulant with cardiovascular properties recently prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Higenamine is also a natural constituent of several traditional botanical remedies and is listed as an ingredient in weight loss and sports supplements sold over-the-counter in the United States.

Objectives: We analyzed dietary supplements available for sale in the United States prior to WADA’s prohibition of higenamine in sport for the presence and quantity of higenamine.

Methods: All supplements labeled as containing higenamine or a synonym (i.e., norcoclaurine or demethylcoclaurine) available for sale in the United States were identified. For each brand, one sample was analyzed by NSF International (Ann Arbor, MI) and one sample by the Netherland’s National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). NSF International carried out qualitative and quantitative analyses using ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry. RIVM carried out qualitative analysis using UHPLC quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry for an independent confirmation of identity.

Results: Twenty-four products were analyzed. The majority of supplements were marketed as either weight loss (11/24; 46%) or sports/energy supplements (11/24; 46%); two brands did not list a labeled indication. The quantity of higenamine (±95% CI) ranged from trace amounts to 62 ± 6.0 mg per serving. Consumers could be exposed to up to 110 ± 11 mg of higenamine per day when following recommended serving sizes provided on the label. Five products (5/24; 21%) listed an amount of higenamine, but none were accurately labeled; the quantity in these supplements ranged from <0.01% to 200% of the quantity listed on the label.

Conclusion: Dosages of up to 62 ± 6.0 mg per serving of the stimulant higenamine were found in dietary supplements sold in the United States.

KEYWORDS:

• Cardiovascular
• dietary supplements
• sports supplements
• weight loss supplements

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Patricia Redd, MLS of Cambridge Health Alliance for her expert assistance in obtaining obscure references. We also thank Xizhao Chen, BS for assistance in identifying the supplements as well as Yan-Hong Wang, PhD and Xizhao Chen, BS for assistance with translations from the Chinese.

Disclosure statement

Drs. Cohen, Keizers, and Venhuis have no conflicts of interest. Mr. Travis and Mr. Boyer are employees of NSF International. Some of NSF International’s clients are dietary supplement manufacturers.