How It Works
BOTTOM LINE: Acai may have antioxidant effects. It has not been proven to be effective for cancer in humans.
Acai is the fruit of a palm mainly found in South America. The berries and seeds contain compounds called flavonoids that have antioxidant effects. Some laboratory studies suggest acai may reduce cholesterol, prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and cause programmed cell death in leukemia cells. However, studies in humans are needed to confirm these effects.
Purported Uses
To prevent cancer
In vitro studies show that flavonoids present in acai fruit have antioxidant properties. There are no animal or human studies to support that acai is useful in cancer prevention.
To prevent heart disease and stroke
In vitro studies show that acai fruit may be useful but human data is lacking.
Do Not Take If
You are undergoing chemotherapy (Acai has antioxidant effects that may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapy drugs).
Scientific Name
Euterpe oleraceae
Common Name
Acai berry, acai palm, cabbage palm, palm berry
Clinical Summary
Acai is the fruit of a palm tree native to South America. It is consumed as food and used in traditional medicine. The pulp and skin of acai fruit are rich in anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other fatty acids (1). It is marketed as a dietary supplement for lowering cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, allergies, and for cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that acai has antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic effects (2) (9) (10) (11). However, Acai has not been proven to be effective for cancer in humans. Due to its antioxidant effects, acai may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapy drugs.
Purported uses
Cancer
Heart disease
Stroke
Diarrhea
Autoimmune disorders
Allergies
Constituents
Acai Fruit
Flavonoids: Anthocyanins (ACNs), Proanthocyanidins (PACs)
Fatty acids: Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoleic acid
Acai Seed
Procyanidins, Protocatechruic acid, Epicatechin
(1) (6)
Mechanism of Action
Acai fruit has been shown to have antioxidant effects in vitro (5) (6) by scavenging reactive oxygen species (7). Some studies have demonstrated the potential effects of acai in inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and allergies. Acai was shown to inhibit nitric oxide production (8) and cyclooxygenases (COX) 1 and 2 (5). Acai also induced apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells through caspase 3 activation, but its effects in humans are unknown (2).
Pharmacokinetics
In humans, anthocyanins from acai juice and pulp are absorbed after oral consumption. Plasma antioxidant capacity also increased
(10).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Acai may interfere with the actions of certain chemotherapy drugs due to its antioxidant effects.
References
1. Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior L, et al. Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai). J Agric Food Chem 2006;54(22): 8598-603.
2. Del Pozo-Insfran D, Percival SS, Talcott ST. Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells. J Agric Food Chem 2006;54(4):1222-9.
3. Wang H, Cao G, Prior RL. Total Antioxidant Capacity of Fruits. J Agric Food Chem 1996;44(3):701-705.
4. Plotkin MJ, Balick MJ. Medicinal uses of South American palms. J Ethnopharmacol 1984;10(2):157-79.
5. Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, et al. Antioxidant capacity and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai). J Agric Food Chem 2006;54(22): 8604-10.
6. Rodrigues RB, Lichtenthaler R,Zimmermann BF, et al. Total oxidant scavenging capacity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (acai) seeds and identification of their polyphenolic compounds. J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54(12):4162-7.
7. Hassimotto NM, Genovese MI, Lajolo FM. Antioxidant activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53(8):2928-35.
8. Matheus ME, de Oliveira Fernandes SB, Silvera CS, et al. Inhibitory effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. on nitric oxide production and iNOS expression. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;107(2):291-6.
9. Pacheco-Palencia LA, Talcott ST. et al. Absorption and biological activity of phytochemical-rich extracts from açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp and oil in vitro. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 May 28;56(10):3593-600.
10. Mertens-Talcott SU, Rios J, Jilma-Stohlawetz P, Pacheco-Palencia LA, et al. Pharmacokinetics of anthocyanins and antioxidant effects after the consumption of anthocyanin-rich acai juice and pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in human healthy volunteers. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 10;56(17):7796-802.
11. Jensen GS, Wu X, Patterson KM, Barnes J. 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 Sep 24;56(18):8326-33.
