Efficacy of Gum Arabic as Anti-inflammatory Agent in Sickle Cell Anemia Pediatric Patients : A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sickle cell disease is one of the common genetic diseases with an autosomal recessive inheritance. SCD have been acknowledge as an inflammatory condition with several indicators of an inflammatory response involving high level of white blood cell, CRP, cytokines as well as elevated monocytes, neutrophils, platelets and endothelial cells. Oral intake of gum Arabic elevates serum level of short chain fatty acids concentration especially levels of butyrate and propionate. Butyrate is a potent anti-inflammatory, that lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines expression through inhibition of NF-kB. GA works as anti-inflammatory through short chain fatty acids. Methods: Twenty- one sickle cell anemia patients recruited and giving 30g of gum arabic daily for 12 weeks and levels of CRP, ESR and uric acid were measured before and after full dose of oral GA. Another Twenty- one patient were recruited and this time giving placebo treatment. Same GA investigations were done for placebo group. Results: Gum Arabic has significant anti-inflammatory effects in SCD patients as CRP level decrease significantly after taking GA. Conclusion: GA is a potent anti Inflammatory. It reduces Inflammatory markers like CRP in patients with sickle cell disease. Trial registration: clinicalTrial.gov identifier: NTC04191213. First posted December 9, 219. Retrospective regestriation.