Pharmacological benefits of Acacia against metabolic diseases: intestinal-level bioactivities and favorable modulation of gut microbiota

Abstract

Context

Obesity-associated chronic metabolic disease is a leading contributor to mortality globally. Plants belonging to the genera Acacia are routinely used for the treatment of diverse metabolic diseases under different ethnomedicinal practices around the globe.

Objective

The current review centres around the pharmacological evidence of intestinal-level mechanisms for metabolic health benefits by Acacia spp.

Results

Acacia spp. increase the proportions of gut commensals (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and reduces the population of opportunistic pathobionts (Escherichia coli and Clostridium). Acacia gum that is rich in fibre, can also be a source of prebiotics to improve gut health. The intestinal-level anti-inflammatory activities of Acacia are likely to contribute to improvements in gut barrier function that would prevent gut-to-systemic endotoxin translocation and limit “low-grade” inflammation associated with metabolic diseases.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review for the first time has emphasised the intestinal-level benefits of Acacia spp. which could be instrumental in limiting the burden of metabolic disease.

Keywords:

• Acacia
• diabetes
• gut barrier
• inflammation
• microbiota
• obesity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contribution

PD conceived the idea, structured the manuscript. MRS performed the literature review and prepared the first draft of the manuscript. MRS and PD finalised the final draft of the manuscript. Both the authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

No raw data is associated with the study since this is a review article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by a seed grant provided by the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology [TU/DORSP/57/7194] to PD.