PDF herunterladen
Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 2012; 33(3): 140-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309259
Porträt Einer Arzneipflanze
Açaí
© Haug Verlag in MVS Medizinverlage Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)

Eine phytochemische und pharmakologische Beurteilung des möglichen therapeutischen Nutzens
Michael Heinrich
1   Center for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy (University of London), 29-39 Brunswick Sq., London WC1N 1AX, UK
2   Southern Cross Plant Science, Centre for Phyto-chemistry and Pharmacology, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
,
Tasleem Dhanji
1   Center for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy (University of London), 29-39 Brunswick Sq., London WC1N 1AX, UK
,
Ivan Casselman
1   Center for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy (University of London), 29-39 Brunswick Sq., London WC1N 1AX, UK
› Institutsangaben
Verantwortlicher Herausgeber dieser Rubrik:
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
18. Juli 2012 (online)

    Lizenzen und Reprints

Zusammenfassung

Die Früchte der Kohlpalme Euterpe oleracea Martius (»Açaí-Beeren«) werden als Nahrungsergänzungsmittel mit einem breiten Spektrum gesundheitlicher und therapeutischer Wirkungen propagiert, die auf den hohen Gehalt an Antioxidanzien zurückzuführen sein sollen. In vielen Regionen Brasiliens hat die Palme eine lange Geschichte als Heilpflanze sowie als Nahrungslieferant. Traditionell werden die Früchte zur Behandlung von Fieber, Hauterkrankungen, Verdauungsstörungen und Parasitenbefall eingesetzt. Die Açaí-Beere besitzt einen relativ hohen Gehalt an Polyphenolen, der in verschiedenen (meist In-vitro-) Studien mit antioxidativen, entzündungshemmenden, antiproliferativen und kardioprotektiven Eigenschaften in Verbindung gebracht wird. Der vorliegende Beitrag fasst das gesicherte Wissen über die Phytochemie und Pharmakologie der Pflanze (sowie deren Grenzen) zusammen. Da es bisher nur wenige Studien gibt, sind die Ergebnisse größtenteils nicht eindeutig. Açaí besitzt ein vielversprechendes Potenzial im Bereich antiproliferativer und kardioprotektiver Wirkung, doch weitere Untersuchungen sind notwendig. Die vielfach geltend gemachten gesundheitlichen Wirkungen der Pflanze können nur in begrenztem Umfang bestätigt werden.

Summary

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) - a phytochemical and pharmacological assessment of the species’ health claims

The palm Euterpe oleracea Martius (açaí) has been acclaimed to have a wide range of health-promoting and therapeutic benefits due to its reportedly high levels of antioxidants. Açaí has a history of use as a medicinal plant and as a staple food in many parts of Brazil. Traditionally, it has been used to treat fevers, skin complications, digestive disorders and parasitic infections. Açaí has a relatively high content of polyphenols, which in turn has been linked to a range of reported (mostly in vitro) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and cardioprotective properties. This review highlights the scientific knowledge about its phytochemistry and pharmacology (and its limitations). Since there have been very limited studies the results are mostly inconclusive. Açaí demonstrates promising potential with regard to antiproliferative activity and cardioprotection but further studies are required. Claims about alleged health benefits can generally only be substantiated to a very limited degree.

Schlüsselwörter

Euterpe oleracea Mart. - Açaí - Arecaceae (Palmae) - Gewichtsabnahme - kardiovaskuläre Gesundheit - Nutrazeutika - traditionelle Medizin - traditionelle Nahrungsmittel

Key words

Euterpe oleracea Mart. - açai - Arecaceae (Palmae) - weight loss - cardiovascular health - nutraceuticals - traditional medicine - traditional food
 

  • Literatur

  • 1 Bhattacharya A, Banu J, Rahman M et al Biological effects of conjugated linoleic acids in health and disease. J Nutr Biochem 2006; 17: 789-810
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Brondízio ES, Safar C, Siqueira AD. Urban market of Açaí fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and rural land use change: Ethnographic insights into the role of price and land tenure constraining agricultural choices in the Amazon estuary. Urban Ecosystems 2003; 6: 67-97
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Brown L, Rosner B, Willet W, Sacks SM. Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69: 30-42
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Castrejon A, Eichholz I, Rohn S. Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) during fruit maturation and ripening. Food Chem 2008; 109: 564-572
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Chapman MJ, Caslake M. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a risk factor: addressing risk associated with apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Eur Heart J Suppl 2004; 6 (Suppl. A) A43-A48
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Chin YW, Chai HB, Keller WJ, Kinghorn AD. Lignans and other constituents of the fruits of Euterpe oleracea (Açai) with antioxidant and cytoprotective activities. J Agric Food Chem 2008; 56: 7759-7764
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 de Oliveira PR, da Costa CA, de Bem GF et al Effects of an extract obtained from fruits of Euterpe oleracea Mart. in the components of metabolic syndrome induced in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2010; 56: 619-626
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 de Rosso VV, Hillebrand S, Montilla EC et al Determination of anthocyanins from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) and açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. J Food Compos Anal 2008; 21: 291-299
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 de Souza MO, Silva M, Silva E et al Diet supplementation with açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) pulp improves biomarkers of oxidative stress and serum lipid profiles in rats. Nutrition 2010; 26: 804-810
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Del Pozo-Insfran D, Brenes CH, Talcott ST. Phytochemical composition and pigment stability of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). J Agric Food Chem 2004; 52: 1539-1545
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Engels G. Açai - Euterpe oleracea (herb profile). Herbalgram 2010; 86: 1-2
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Favacho HAS, Oliveira BR, Santos KC et al Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Euterpe oleracea Mart., Arecaceae, oil. Rev Bras Farmacog 2011; 21: 105-114
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 FDA 2007a http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/Cyber-Letters/ucm056948.pdf Stand: 04.07.2010
    PubMed
  • 14 FDA 2007b http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/Cyber-Letters/ucm056937.pdf Stand: 24.07.2010
    PubMed
  • 15 FDA. Warning Letter: Circular Enterprises, LLC 6/2/09 http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm167712.htm Stand 04.07.2010
    PubMed
  • 16 Feio CA, Izar MC, Ihara SS et al Euterpe oleracea (açai) modifies sterol metabolism and attenuates experimentally-induced atherosclerosis. J Atheroscler Thromb 2012; 26 19 237-245
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Font Quer P. Plantas Medicinales - El Dioscórides renovado. Barcelona: Ed. Botas; 1995
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Foodbiz International Trade Opportunity Report - The Brazilian Açaí Berry. 2009 http://foodbizdaily.com/articles/91816-the-acai-berry-trade-opportunity-a-quickreport.aspx Stand: 29.11.2009
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Gallori S, Bilia AR, Bergonzi MC et al Polyphenolic constituents of fruit pulp of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açai palm). Chromatographia 2004; 59: 739-743
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Goulding M, Smith PalmsN. Sentinels for Amazon Conservation. Amazon Conservation Association & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 2007: 356
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Guerra JF, Magalhaes CL, Costa DC et al Dietary acai modulates ROS production by neutrophils and gene expression of liver antioxidant enzymes in rats. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2011; 49: 188-194
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Hassimotto NM, Genovese MI, Lajolo FM. Antioxidant capacity of Brazilian fruit, vegetables and commercially-frozen fruit pulps. J Food Compos Anal 2009; 22: 394-396
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Hassimotto NM, Pinto M, Lajolo FM. Antioxidant status in humans after consumption of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) juices with and without defatted milk. J Agricult Food Chem 2008; 56: 11727-11733
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Health Report Acai berry health benefits and risks. http://www.healthreport.co.uk/acai.htm Stand: 24.07.2010
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Heinrich M, Prieto JM. Diet and healthy ageing 2100: Will we globalise local knowledge systems?. Ageing Res Rev 2008; 7: 249-274
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Hiraoka M. Land use changes in Amazon estuary. Global Environ Change 1995; 5: 323-336
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Hogan S, Chung H, Zhang L et al Antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of anthocyanin-rich extract from açai. Food Chem 2010; 118: 208-214
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Horiguchi T, Ishiguro N, Chihara K et al Inhibitory effect of açai´ (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp on IgE-mediated mast cell activation. J Agric Food Chem 2011; 59: 5595-5601
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Iaderoza M, Baldini VL, Draetta I, Bovi ML. Anthocyanins from fruits of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and jucara (Euterpe edulis Mart.). Trop Sci 1992; 32: 41-46
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Jensen GS, Ager DM, Redman KA et al Pain reduction and improvement in range of motion after daily consumption of an açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp-fortified polyphenolic-rich fruit and berry juice blend. J Med Food 2011; 14: 702-711
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Jensen GS, Wu X, Patterson KM et al In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of an antioxidant-rich fruit and berry juice blend. Results of a pilot and randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Agric Food Chem 2008; 56: 8326-8333
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Kang J, Li Z, Wu T et al Anti-oxidant capacities of flavonoid compounds isolated from açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Food Chem 2010; 122: 610-617
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Kang J, Xie C, Li Z et al Flavonoids from acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Food Chem 2011; 128: 152-157
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Lee R, Balick MJ. Palms, people, and health. Explore 2008; 4: 59-62
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Lichtenthäler R, Rodrigues RB, Maia JG et al Total oxidant scavenging capacities of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açai) fruits. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2005; 56: 53-64
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Manach C, Williamson G, Morand C et al Bioavailability and bioefficacy of polyphenols in humans. Review of 97 bioavailability studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 81 (1 Suppl.) 230S-242S
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Marcason W. What is the Açai berry and are there health benefits?. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109: 1968
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Matheus ME, de Oliveira Fernandes SB, Silveira CS et al Inhibitory effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. on nitric oxide production and iNOS expression. J Ethnopharmacol 2006; 107: 291-296
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Moura RS, Ferreira TS, Lopes AA et al Effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (AÇAÍ) extract in acute lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in the mouse. Phytomedicine 2012; 19: 262-269
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Muniz-Miret N, Vamos R, Hiraoka M et al The economic value of managing açai palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in floodplains of the Amazon estuary, Pará, Brazil. Forest Ecol Managem 1996; 87: 163-173
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Nóbrega AA, Garcia MH, Tatto E et al Oral transmission of Chagas disease by consumption of açaí palm fruit, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis 2009; 15: 653-655
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Noratto GD, Angel-Morales G, Talcott ST, Mertens-Talcott SU. Polyphenolics from açai´ (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and red muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) protect human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) from glucose- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and target microRNA-126. J Agric Food Chem 2011; 59: 7999-8012
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Obolskiy D, Pischel I, Siriwatanametanon N, Heinrich M. Garcinia mangostana L.: a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Phytother Res 2009; 23: 1047-1065
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Pacheco-Palencia LA, Duncan CE, Talcott ST. Phytochemical composition and thermal stability of two commercial açai species, Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria . Food Chem 2009; 115: 1199-1205
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Pacheco-Palencia LA, Mertens-Talcott SU, Talcott ST. In vitro absorption and antiproliferative activities of monomeric and polymeric anthocyanin fractions from açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Food Chem 2010; 119: 1071-1078
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Pacheco-Palencia LA, Talcott ST. Chemical stability of açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) anthocyanins as influenced by naturally occurring and externally added polyphenolic cofactors in model systems. Food Chem 2010; 118: 17-25
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Pompeu DR, Silva EM, Rogez H. Optimisation of the solvent extraction of phenolic antioxidants from fruits of Euterpe oleracea using Response Surface Methodology. Bioresource Technol 2009; 100: 6076-6082
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Posey DA. Commodification of the sacred through intellectual property rights. J Ethnopharmacol 2002; 83: 3-12
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Poulose SM, Fisher DR, Larson J et al Anthocyaninrich açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) fruit pulp fractions attenuate inflammatory stress signaling in mouse brain BV-2 microglial cells. J Agric Food Chem 2012; 60: 1084-1093
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Powersupplements. Acai in the news. 2008 http://www.powersupplements.com/acai/acai-media.html Stand: 06.08.2010
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Prior R, Gu L. Occurrence and biological significance of proanthocyanidins in the American diet. Phytochemistry 2005; 66: 2264-2280
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Ribeiro JC, Antunes LM, Aissa AF et al Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects after acute and subacute treatments with açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart) on mice using erythrocytes micronucleus test and the comet assay. Mutat Res 2010; 695: 22-28
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Rocha AP, Carvalho L, Sousa C et al Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açai) extracts in mesenteric vascular bed of the rat. Vascul Pharmacol 2007; 46: 97-104
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Rogez H. Açai: prepare, composicao, e melhoramento da conservacao. Belem, Brazil: Edufpa; 2000
    Google Scholar
  • 55 Rufino M, Alves RE, de Brito ES et al Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities of 18 non-traditional tropical fruits from Brazil. Food Chem 2010; 121: 996-1002
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Rufino M, Pérez-Jiménez J, Arranz S et al Açaí (Euterpe oleraceae) ‘BRS Pará’: A tropical fruit source of antioxidant dietary fiber and high antioxidant capacity oil. Food Res Int 2011; 44: 2100-2106
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Sabbe S, Verbeke W, Deliza R et al Effect of a health claim and personal characteristics on consumer acceptance of fruit juices with different concentrations of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Appetite 2009; 53: 84-92
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Sandhu DS, Heinrich M. The use of health foods, spices and other botanicals with the Sikh community in London. Phytother Res 2005; 19: 633-642
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 59 Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL et al Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açai). J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54: 8598-8603
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 60 Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL et al Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açai). J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54: 8604-8610
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 61 Schreckinger ME, Lotton J, Lila MA, de Mejia EG. Berries from South America: a comprehensive review on chemistry, health potential, and commercialization. J Med Food 2010; 13: 233-246
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 62 Stoner GD, Wang LS, Seguin C et al Multiple berry types prevent N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophageal cancer in rats. Pharm Res 2010; 27: 1138-1145
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 63 Udani JK, Singh BB, Singh VJ, Barrett ML. Effects of Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) berry preparation on metabolic parameters in a healthy overweight population: a pilot study. Nutr J 2011; 10: 45
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 64 Valente S, Valente V, Pinto A et al Analysis of an acute Chagas disease outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon: human cases, triatomines, reservoir mammals and parasites. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg Med 2009; 103: 291-297
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 65 Winfrey O. Oprah & Dr. Oz File Lawsuit: Fighting False Endorsements. Good Morning America. ABC. 20.08.2009 http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8371759
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 66 Wiseman H, Halliwell B. Damage to DNA by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: role in inflammatory disease and progression to cancer. Biochem J 1996; 313 (Pt 1) 17-29
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 67 Xie C, Kang J, Burris R et al Açaí juice attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE deficient mice through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Atherosclerosis 2011; 216: 327-333
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar