The Efficacy of Gum Arabic in Managing Diseases: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Clinical Trials.

2023-01-09
Biomolecules 13(1)
- Yamamh Al-Jubori
- Nazik Tayfour Babiker Ahmed
- Rawan Albusaidi
- James Madden
- Srijit Das
- Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla

PubMed: 36671523
DOI: 10.3390/biom13010138

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: A search of the extant literature was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases to retrieve CTs focusing on evidence-based clinical indications

Gum arabic (GA) is a natural product commonly used as a household remedy for treating various diseases in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Despite its claimed benefits, there has been a lack of research on the findings of current clinical trials (CTs) that investigated its efficacy in the treatment of various medical diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to study CTs which focused on GA and its possible use in the management of various medical diseases. A search of the extant literature was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases to retrieve CTs focusing on evidence-based clinical indications. The databases were searched using the keywords ("Gum Arabic" OR "Acacia senegal" OR "Acacia seyal" OR "Gum Acacia" OR "Acacia Arabica") AND ("Clinical Trial" OR "Randomized Controlled Trial" OR "Randomized Clinical Trial"). While performing the systematic review, data were obtained on the following parameters: title, authors, date of publication, study design, study aim, sample size, type of intervention used, targeted medical diseases, and main findings. Twenty-nine papers were included in this systematic review. The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity. GA exhibited anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and antibacterial properties. GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases. Herein, we discuss GA with respect to the underlying mechanisms involved in each medical disease, thereby justifying GA's future role as a therapeutic agent.

Research Insights

Acacia→Altered Biochemical Parameter
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Altered Renal Profile
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Gastrointestinal Condition
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Insulin Sensitivity
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Kidney Function
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Periodontitis
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Rheumatoid Arthritis
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Improved Sickle Cell Anemia
GA has been successfully used to treat sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, gastrointestinal conditions, and kidney diseases.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Adiposity
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Blood Pressure
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Gingival Index
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Inflammatory Markers
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Plaque Scores
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Acacia→Reduced Total Cholesterol Levels
The results showed that ingestion of GA altered lipid profiles, renal profiles, plaque, gingival scores, biochemical parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and adiposity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate