Ackee

Generic name: Blighia Sapida K.D. Konig
Brand names: Ackee, Ackee Apple, Akee, Aki, Arbol De Seso, Arbre A' Fricasser, Breadfruit, Fruto De Huevo, Gwanja Kusa, Isin, Merey Del Diablo, Okpu, Pan Y Quesito, Pero Roja, Ris De Veau, Seso Vegetal, Soapberry, Yeux De Crabe

Usage of Ackee

Analgesic effects

Animal data

In mice orally administered an aqueous leaf extract of B. sapida, analgesic effects were observed for 2 of 3 pain tests conducted. Writhing was significantly reduced at B. sapida extract doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg compared to controls; percentage inhibition at these extract doses was 52% and 67%, respectively, whereas aspirin produced a 78% inhibition. Paw licking was also significantly reduced with each B. sapida extract dose compared to controls; respective inhibitions were 65% and 54%, whereas morphine produced 100% inhibition.(Olayinka 2021)

Antioxidant effects

Animal data

Antioxidant activity of ackee has been documented via free radical scavenging properties as well as increased activity of antioxidant enzyme systems (ie, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxide) and reduced malonaldehyde.(Barnaby 2018, Ojo 2017)

Antiparasitic activity

Animal data

Three doses of a B. sapida stem bark ethanolic extract were safe, nontoxic, and prophylactically effective against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei in mice when compared with untreated controls (P<0.001). The lowest dose (200 mg/kg) exhibited comparable effects to the positive control artemether/lumefantrine (Coartem). The extract had little to no effect as a curative or suppressive agent at 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg.(Otegbade 2017)

Diabetes

Animal data

In a diabetic rat model, an ethanolic extract of B. sapida stem bark administered orally significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) at all 3 doses tested (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day) compared to untreated diabetic controls (P<0.05). After 21 days, mean FBG was similar between the 150 mg/kg/day extract group and the positive control glibenclamide (88.2 and 88.4 mg/dL, respectively); neither value was significantly different than nondiabetic controls (87.2 mg/dL). Serum insulin, insulin resistance, and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction also improved significantly with B. sapida extract at all 3 doses versus the diabetic control (P<0.05). Values for all 3 parameters at the 150 mg/kg/day extract dose were not significantly different from the nondiabetic control and were more pronounced than in the glibenclamide-treated diabetic group. The extract significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes.(Ojo 2017)

The significant FBG results documented previously with 3 doses of B. sapida stem bark extract in the diabetic rat model were repeated in another study, which also evaluated effects of the extract on lipid parameters. As with FBG, values of all 8 lipid parameters (ie, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low–density lipoprotein, non–high-density lipoprotein [HDL], HDL, triglycerides, atherogenic index, and coronary artery index) for the 150 mg/kg/day extract dose were not significantly different from the nondiabetic control and were significantly better than in the glibenclamide-treated diabetic group (P<0.05).(Ojo 2020)

Ackee side effects

Adverse reactions are related to the toxicity of unripe fruit ingestion and are further addressed in the Toxicology section.

Before taking Ackee

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

How to use Ackee

Clinical trials are lacking to provide dosing recommendations. The ripe fruits are edible; however, the unripe fruits are toxic due to hypoglycin A and B content.

Warnings

Acute toxicity tests in mice determined the oral median lethal dose (LD50) to be more than 5,000 mg/kg for both the aqueous leaf extract and the ethanolic stem bark extract of B. sapida.(Olayinka 2021, Otegbade 2017)

Ackee fruits contain hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine, which are 2 chemically related toxins that inhibit the degradation of C6 through C10 straight-chain saturated fatty acids. The metabolism and excretion of these toxins and their metabolites is a lengthy process, with metabolites detected in serum 96 hours after canned ackee fruits were ingested by an adult volunteer. Repeated consumption had a cumulative effect leading to prolonged intoxication. Findings support results from earlier animal studies; however, no disturbance of the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids was observed in this case, which conflicts with earlier findings in children.(Sander 2020) Poisoning from unripe ackee (including roasted ackee seeds) manifests as GI distress, hypoglycemia, and CNS depression developing within 6 to 48 hours of consumption. A quiescent or remission period may be followed by symptoms including lethargy, hypotonia, and hypothermia, and progress to convulsions and coma.(Barceloux 2009, Katibi 2015) Fulminant liver failure has been reported,(Grunes 2012) and a case fatality rate of 52% has been published.(USDA 2021)

Treatment of ackee poisoning is primarily supportive and includes restoration of fluid, electrolyte, glucose, and pH balance.(Barceloux 2009) Limited experimental studies suggest a role for glycine, methylene blue, and riboflavin as antagonists in hypoglycin A intoxication; however, no clinical data support this concept.(Barceloux 2009, Katibi 2015)

What other drugs will affect Ackee

Hypoglycemia caused by ackee may be masked in patients taking beta-blockers because of their ability to suppress epinephrine-mediated warning signs of imminent hypoglycemia; use in individuals with diabetes should be monitored.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords