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Yerba mate tea ( Ilex paraguariensis ) is growing in popularity around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of yerba mate tea (MT) extracts as well as some of its phytochemicals and their interactions. MT and decaffeinated MT extracts [1-300 microM chlorogenic acid (CHA) equiv]; CHA, caffeine from MT (matein), and mate saponins (1-300 microM); quercetin (1-200 microM); and ursolic and oleanolic acids (1-100 microM) were tested by measuring their ability to inhibit COX-2/PGE(2) and iNOS/NO pathways in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mate saponins (IC(50) = 20 microM) and oleanolic acid (IC(50) = 80 microM) significantly inhibited iNOS/NO pathways, whereas ursolic acid showed low or no inhibition at 100 microM. Quercetin was the most potent inhibitor of pro-inflammatory responses at a concentration 10 times lower than the concentrations used of other compounds (IC(50) = 11.6 microM for NO, 7.9 microM for iNOS, and 6.5 microM for PGE(2)). Combination of quercetin/mate saponins (0.001:0.004, molar ratio) resulted in synergistic interaction inhibiting both NO and PGE(2) production. It also suppressed IL-6 and IL-1beta production and resulted in reduction of LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB subunits. MT extract did not have a potent anti-inflammatory effect perhaps due to the antagonistic effect of some of its compounds. However, whole MT consumption still has a promising anti-inflammatory outcome mainly through the PGE(2)/COX-2 pathway. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the efficacy, interactions, and mechanisms of some MT phytochemicals in inhibiting pro-inflammatory responses.

The results suggest that diCQAs in Yerba mate could be potential anti-cancer agents and could mitigate other diseases also associated with inflammation.

Mexico has the largest diversity of genetic resources for maize in the world, with about 59 different landraces. However, little is known about their wet‐milling characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine whether 15 Mexican blue maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes of Elotero de Sinaloa landrace collected in the northwestern region of Mexico have suitable wet‐milling properties. Great variability of physical, compositional, and wet‐milling characteristics among these blue maize genotypes was observed. The FAUAS‐457 and FAUAS‐488 maize genotypes had similar starch yield and starch recovery as reported for the wet‐milling industry, which indicated that they may be useful as a source of extractable starch. Residual protein levels in the starch fractions were in the range of 0.39–0.68%, and total solids recovery exhibited a mean value of 98.8%, indicating acceptable efficacy of the wet‐milling process. This process afforded starches from blue maize genotypes with low protein contents. Wet‐milling fractions correlated with the physical and chemical properties of the kernels. Our results indicate that Mexican blue maize genotypes contain characteristics that make them appropriate and utilizable at the industrial level, and they can also be valuable for improving wet‐milling characteristics of maize through breeding programs.

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