Efficacy and Safety of Gum Arabic on Renal Failure Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a long-term disease caused by progressive kidney dysfunction due to many reasons leading to a significant rise in serum levels of creatinine and urea reaching the advanced stage where the patient goes for frequent hemodialysis. This study aims to discuss the evaluation of the efficacy of gum Arabic (GA) supplementation on the serum level of creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium in CRF patients. Methods: Four databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched for clinical trials assessment of gum Arabic intervention in CRF patients. Animal trials and experimental protocols were excluded. Screening of data and data extraction were done by two reviewers independently of each other. Meta-analysis was conducted on the selected studies using RevMan and the resulting description was summarized through the Forest plot tool on the efficacy of GA on 4 variables, creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium in CRF patients. Results: From 574 studies searched, only 4 studies were included in this systemic review and meta-analysis. Although one of the studies had proved the objectives of the review but it was removed from the meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity caused by its inclusion. Conclusion: The few studies included in the current review revealed significant efficacy of GA treatment on the serum level of creatinine, urea, and sodium, but not potassium.