Acacia Gum

Generic name: Acacia Senegal (L.) Willd., Senegalia Senegal (L.) Britton
Brand names: Acacia Arabica, Acacia Gum, Acacia Vera, Egyptian Thorn, Gum Arabic, Gum Senegal, Gummae Mimosae, Gummi Africanum, Kher, Somali Gum, Sudan Gum Arabic, Yellow Thorn

Usage of Acacia Gum

Anti-inflammatory activity

Animal and in vitro data

An in vitro study examining the effects of plant-derived arabinogalactan proteins isolated from A. senegal seeds on the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line suggested modulation of skin innate immune responses. Additionally, an increase in mitochondrial enzyme and antioxidant activity were noted.Zahid 2017 Studies in rodents have reported modulation of inflammation, as evidenced by changes in cytokine and other inflammatory markers.Kamal 2018

Clinical data

A 12-week single-arm (gum arabic 30 g daily) clinical study (N=40) reported decreases in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and number of swollen and tender joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Kamal 2018

Antimicrobial activity

Animal and in vitro data

In mice infected with malaria, gum arabic decreased parasitemia and increased survival by an unknown mechanism.Ballal 2011, Kurup 1992, Nasir 2013 In vitro studies suggest high concentrations are required for effect.Ballal 2011, Kurup 1992 Conversely, acacia gum reduces the antibacterial effectiveness of the preservative methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, presumably by offering physical barrier protection to the microbial cells due to the action of the preservative.Ballal 2011, Kurup 1992

Antioxidant activity

Animal and in vitro data

Plant-derived arabinogalactans isolated from A. senegal seeds demonstrated antioxidant activity.Ali 2013, Zahid 2017

Clinical data

A 12-week single-arm (gum arabic 30 g daily) clinical study in patients with sickle cell disease (N=47) reported improved total antioxidant capacity scores and decreased markers of oxidative stress.Kaddam 2017

Dermatological effects

Acacia gum has traditionally been used as an emollient, astringent, and demulcent on irritated mucous membranes, including in the treatment of skin disorders.Bhatnagar 2013

Animal and in vitro data

Bypolymers from acacia gum have been studied as wound dressing materials in vitro and in rodent models.Bhatnagar 2013

Clinical data

In a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of standard peristomal skin care to adjunctive techniques or barriers, one of the 6 randomized controlled trials included evaluated A. senegal fiber pockets versus zinc oxide ointment as a colostomy wound dressing in infants with Hirschsprung enterocolitis or imperforate anus. Among infants receiving the acacia barrier, lower inflammation rates were reported than with the comparator zinc ointment.Tam 2014

Diabetes/Metabolic syndrome

Animal data

Gum arabic added to porridge reduced postprandial blood glucose increases in mice.Hu 2014 In diabetic mice, gum arabic decreased food and fluid intake but did not modify body weight.Nasir 2013 In a study evaluating 15% gum arabic for 8 weeks in rats with diabetes, antioxidant activity was demonstrated, but mean blood glucose was unaffected.Ahmed 2015

A. senegal has been used as the control agent in a study evaluating Uvaria chamae (bush banana) in rats with induced diabetes.Emordi 2018

Clinical data

No effects on insulin or glucose blood concentrations were found in a study using gum acacia and pectin in patients with metabolic syndrome (N=21).Pouteau 2010

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients with type 2 diabetes (N=91), those allocated to treatment (gum arabic 30 g daily for 3 months) reportedly showed increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreased body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure compared with the placebo group (pectin 5 g). Differences in blood glucose values post intervention in the gum arabic group were reported; however, differences versus placebo group were not reported.Babiker 2018

GI effects

Animal and in vitro data

In rodent models of chronic diarrhea, gum arabic preserved glucose and electrolyte levels and hydration.Khan 2010 A study in rats demonstrated a protective effect of acacia gum against meloxicam-induced GI insult. No pharmacological interaction with meloxicam with consequent effect on absorption of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug was found.Abd El-Mawla 2011

In an experiment using a nonadapted human bacterial population from 3 normal subjects, extent of in vitro fermentation was greater for gum arabic than for psyllium.Bliss 2013

Clinical data

A probiotic effect (bifidogenic) of acacia gum has been reported.Hu 2014, Slavin 2013

A randomized clinical study (N=189) evaluating dietary fiber supplements for fecal incontinence found no change in fecal incontinence frequency with gum arabic versus psyllium.Bliss 2011, Bliss 2014

Hyperlipidemia

Animal data

Binding of gum arabic to fatty acids has been demonstrated in vitro, potentially decreasing dietary lipid absorption.Fang 2010 Studies in rodents evaluating potential hypocholesterolemic effects have produced equivocal results.Khan 2010

Clinical data

Clinical findings regarding hypocholesterolemic effects of acacia gum are equivocal. When administered for periods of 4 to 12 weeks to patients with hypercholesterolemia or those with metabolic syndrome, acacia gum had no effect on the plasma profile.Haskell 1992, Jensen 1993, Pouteau 2010 A single-arm clinical study in patients with sickle cell anemia (N=47) reported decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein, with no effect on HDL following gum arabic 30 g daily for 12 weeks.Kaddam 2019, Kaddam 2019 In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients with type 2 diabetes (N=91), those allocated to treatment (gum arabic 30 g daily for 3 months) reportedly showed increased HDL and decreased BMI and systolic blood pressure compared with the placebo group (pectin 5 g).Babiker 2018

Obesity

Clinical data

Increased satiety was observed in a clinical study evaluating different doses of gum arabic. Reductions in energy intake amounting to 100 to 200 kcal were reported with gum arabic doses ranging from 5 to 40 g.Calame 2011 A clinical trial of healthy females (N=120) reported decreased BMI and body fat following consumption of gum arabic (A. senegal) 30 g daily for 6 weeks.Babiker 2012

Periodontal disease

Animal and in vitro data

Whole gum mixtures of acacia inhibit the growth of periodontic bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, when added to culture medium at concentrations of 0.5% to 1%.Clark 1993 The erosive effects of citric acid on enamel were muted in vitro when mixed with gum arabic.Beyer 2010

Clinical data

At a concentration of 0.5%, acacia whole gum mixture inhibited bacterial protease enzymes, suggesting acacia may be useful in limiting the development of periodontal disease. In addition, chewing an acacia-based gum for 7 days reduced mean gingival and plaque scores compared with use of a sugar-free gum. Total differences in these scores were significant between groups (P<0.05), suggesting that acacia gum primarily inhibits the early deposition of plaque.Gazi 1991, Lindquist 2011 In a small clinical study (N=11), a gum arabic lozenge increased oral pH after a rinse with simulated gastric acid, protecting against enamel erosion.Gazi 1991, Lindquist 2011

Renal effects

Animal data

A series of reports were published on the use of acacia gum in rats with induced renal failure. Effects included antihypertensive reactions, reduced anemia and proteinuria, and improved oxidative stress.Ali 2011, Ali 2013, Ali 2014, Ali 2014 Enhanced creatinine clearance was demonstrated in healthy mice given gum arabic 10% in drinking water.Nasir 2013 An antioxidant effect may contribute toward observed efficacy.Gado 2013

Clinical data

Increased excretion of nitrogen and urea was observed in patients with chronic renal failure given gum acacia.Khan 2010 However, in a 12-week single-arm clinical study conducted among patients with sickle cell disease (N=47), reductions in serum urea levels were not sustained after the first month of gum arabica 30 g daily administration.Kaddam 2019, Kaddam 2019

Acacia Gum side effects

Allergic reactions have been reported.Khan 2010 Adverse effects reported in clinical trials included unfavorable sensation in the mouth, early morning nausea, mild diarrhea, and bloating.Babiker 2012, Pouteau 2010 IV administration has been reported to cause renal and liver damage.Morton 1977 Bilirubin and serum ALT were reduced among patients with sickle cell disease (N=47) given gum arabica 30 g daily in a 12-week single-arm study. No effect on serum AST was observed.Kaddam 2019

Before taking Acacia Gum

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Acacia Gum

Clinical trials are generally lacking to provide dosing recommendations. Several trials used gum arabic 30 g orally daily for 6 to 12 weeks for various indications.Babiker 2012, Babiker 2018, Kaddam 2017, Kaddam 2019, Kaddam 2019, Kamal 2018, Pouteau 2010

Warnings

Acacia is essentially nontoxic when ingested, and has GRAS status.CFR 2019, Khan 2010

What other drugs will affect Acacia Gum

None well documented.

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