GUM ARABIC: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Gum arabic is the gum that is exuded from certain trees, such as the Acacia senegal tree. It's a dietary fiber that can dissolve in water.

Gum arabic is used for high cholesterol, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In manufacturing, gum arabic is used as a pharmaceutical ingredient in medications for throat or stomach inflammation and as a film-forming agent in peel-off skin masks.

Don't confuse gum arabic with Acacia rigidula, acai, or cassie absolute (Acacia farnesiana).

How does it work ?

Gum arabic is a source of dietary fiber. It tends to make people feel full, so they might stop eating earlier than they otherwise would. This might lead to weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels.

View References

REFERENCES:

Al Mustafa, Z. H. and Dafallah, A. A. A study on the toxicology of Acacia nilotica. Am J Chin Med 2000;28(1):123-129. View abstract.

Gazi, M. I. The finding of antiplaque features in Acacia Arabica type of chewing gum. J Clin Periodontol. 1991;18(1):75-77. View abstract.

Raghuprasad, P. K., Brooks, S. M., Litwin, A., Edwards, J. J., Bernstein, I. L., and Gallagher, J. Quillaja bark (soapbark)--induced asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1980;65(4):285-287. View abstract.

Alarifi S, Bell A, Walton G. In vitro fermentation of gum acacia - impact on the faecal microbiota. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018;69(6):696-704. View abstract.

Ali NE, Kaddam LA, Alkarib SY, et al. Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) Augmented Total Antioxidant Capacity and Reduced C-Reactive Protein among Haemodialysis Patients in Phase II Trial. Int J Nephrol. 2020;2020:7214673. View abstract.

Babiker R, Elmusharaf K, Keogh MB, Banaga AS, Saeed AM. Metabolic effect of gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): randomized, placebo controlled double blind trial. Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2017;7(3):222-34.

Babiker R, Elmusharaf K, Keogh MB, Saeed AM. Effect of gum arabic (Acacia senegal) supplementation on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD): a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lipids Health Dis. 2018;17(1):56. View abstract.

Babiker R, Merghani TH, Elmusharaf K, et al. Effects of gum Arabic ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage in healthy adult females: two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial. Nutr J 2012;11:111. View abstract.

Beneke CE, Viljoen AM, Hamman JH. Polymeric plant-derived excipients in drug delivery. Molecules. 2009;14(7):2602-20. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Eltayeb IB, Awad AI, Elderbi MA, Shadad SA. Effect of gum arabic on the absorption of a single oral dose of amoxicillin in healthy Sudanese volunteers. J Antimicrob Chemother 2004;54:577-8. View abstract.

Fotisch K, Fäh J, Wüthrich B, et al. IgE antibodies specific for carbohydrates in a patient allergic to gum arabic (Acacia senegal). Allergy. 1998 Nov;53(11):1043-51. View abstract.

Hosseinpour M, Fazeli A, Agabeigi M. Efficacy of Acacia senegal for stoma care in children with colostomy. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2012 22(3):234-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1308706. View abstract.

Jarrar AH, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V, et al. The Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):194. View abstract.

Jensen CD, Haskell W, Whittam JH. Long-term effects of water-soluble dietary fiber in the management of hypercholesterolemia in healthy men and women. Am J Cardiol 1997;79:34-7. View abstract.

Jensen CD, Spiller GA, Gates JE, et al. The effect of acacia gum and a water-soluble dietary fiber mixture on blood lipids in humans. J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:147-54. View abstract.

Kaddam L, Fadl-Elmula I, Eisawi OA, Abdelrazig HA, Saeed AM. Acacia senegal (gum arabic) supplementation modulate lipid profile and ameliorated dyslipidemia among sickle cell anemia patients. J Lipids 2019;2019:3129461. View abstract.

Kaddam LA, Fdl-Elmula I, Eisawi OA, Abdelrazig HA, Elnimeiri MK, Saeed AM. Biochemical effects and safety of Gum arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation in patients with sickle cell anemia. Blood Res 2019;54(1):31-7. View abstract.

Lust J. The herb book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1999.

Mortensen A, Aguilar F, Crebelli R, et al. Re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive. EFSA J. 2017;15(4):e04741. View abstract.

Nasir O, Alqadri N, Elsayed S, et al. Comparative efficacy of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) and Tribulus terrestris on male fertility. Saudi Pharm J. 2020;28(12):1791-1796. View abstract.

Pradeep AR, Happy D, Garg G. Short-term clinical effects of commercially available gel containing Acacia arabica: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Aust Dent J. 2010 Mar;55(1):65-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01180.x. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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GUM ARABIC

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Major Interaction

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox) interacts with GUM ARABIC

Dosing

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