The value of the Brazilian açai fruit as a therapeutic nutritional strategy for chronic kidney disease patients

Int Urol Nephrol. 2018 Dec;50(12):2207-2220. doi: 10.1007/s11255-018-1912-z. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Abstract

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) fruit from the Amazon region in Brazil contains bioactive compounds such as α-tocopherol, anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-glycoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside), and other flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the prebiotic activity of anthocyanins in modulating the composition of gut microbiota has emerged as an additional mechanism by which anthocyanins exert health-promoting effects. Açai consumption may be a nutritional therapeutic strategy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients since these patients present with oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis. However, the ability of açai to modulate these conditions has not been studied in CKD, and this review presents recent information about açai and its possible therapeutic effects in CKD.

Keywords: Anthocyanins; Açai; Bioactive compounds; Chronic kidney disease; Inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins* / chemistry
  • Anthocyanins* / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Euterpe*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / metabolism
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Antioxidants