Gum Arabic enhances paracellular transport of water in amphibian everted small intestinal segments

Gum Arabic (GA) is known for its proabsorbent activity in normal intestine as well as in animal models of diarrhea. The aim of the study was to find the effect of GA on intestinal transport of water and possible route of absorption in frog everted gut sacs. D-Mannitol was used as a marker of paracellular transport to find the route of absorption. Everted gut sacs (n=4,5) were placed in Ringer containing GA (2.5 g/L) with or without D-Mannitol (0.5 g/L), incubated for 1 hour and analysed for change in weights of the sacs and D-Mannitol uptake. There was significant increase in uptake of water and D-Mannitol in the presence of GA compared to controls (P<0.05).Gum Arabic improves water uptake by the intestinal mucosa, possibly by opening the paracellular pathways.