Ilex paraguariensis extract as an alternative to pain medications

Abstract

Pain is a common and distressing symptom of many diseases and its clinical treatment generally involves analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This study evaluated the toxicity of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) aqueous extract (leaves, petioles and branches) and its performance in a nociceptive response. Hepatotoxicity, psycho-stimulant test and evaluation of enzyme markers for liver damage were also tested. Chromatographic analysis by UPLC-MS demonstrated a series of isomeric monocaffeoylquinic acids, isomers of dicaffeoylquinic acid, flavonol glycosides, and saponins. Phase I and II of nociception were obtained for meloxicam, dexamethasone and aqueous Ilex paraguariensis extract. Ilex paraguariensis extract concentration was negatively correlated (R = –0.887) with alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05) in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity test, indicating hepatoprotective activity of this extract. Ilex paraguariensis extract also presented analgesic properties equivalent to drugs that already have proven efficacy. Notably, the administration of multiple doses of Ilex paraguariensis extract was considered safe from the therapeutic point of view.

Yerba Mate—A Long but Current History

“…Studies on mice show that oral or intraperitoneal administration of an aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis has analgesic and protective effects on the liver (reduces ALT levels) and is therapeutically safe [82].…”

Chemical, biological, and pharmacological evaluation of the aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis, St. Hill. (Aquifoliaceae)

“…A voucher specimen (136.A) was deposited at the Herbarium Prof. Carlos Stellfeld of the Pharmacognosy Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraná (Curitiba, PR, Brazil). The extract of Ilex paraguariensis was prepared as described by Nowacki et al (2021). Briefly, 50 g of ground yerba mate was refluxed in a Soxhlet extractor with 160 mL of distilled water for 6 h. The extract was then concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 60 °C, frozen, and freeze-dried to obtain a 33% yield (m/v) of the aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis (EIP).…”

“…Briefly, 50 g of ground yerba mate was refluxed in a Soxhlet extractor with 160 mL of distilled water for 6 h. The extract was then concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 60 °C, frozen, and freeze-dried to obtain a 33% yield (m/v) of the aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis (EIP). The doses used in this study were chosen according to previous toxicity studies (Nowacki et al, 2021). The project was registered in the Sistema Nacional de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético e do Conhecimento Tradicional Associado (SISGEN) under protocol No.…”

“…Ilex paraguariensis has been reported to have medicinal properties, acting as diuretics (Gonzalez et al, 1993), antirheumatic (Gosmann & Schenkel, 1989), anti-inflammatory (Schinella et al, 2000), chemopreventive (Ramirez-Mares et al, 2004), antioxidant (Gugliucci, 1996, and antimicrobials (Pressi et al, 2021). Furthermore, it is indicated as a central nervous system stimulant (Gonzalez et al, 1993), anti-depression (Lim et al, 2015), analgesic (Nowacki et al, 2021), choleretic agents and used for gastrointestinal disorders (Gorzalczany et al, 2001).…”

Evaluation of antinociceptive activity of Ilex dipyrena Wall. in mice

“…In addition, dried I. paraguariensis leaves and twigs (yerba mate), used in the preparation of a local tea known as “mate”, a commonly consumed beverage in many South American countries. Studies have shown that I. paraguariensis has many chemicals, including theobromine and caffeine, which are alkaloids with medicinal and pharmacological properties that can affect the central nervous system [ 24 , 25 ]. Being an important member of this genus, I. dipyrena is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of approximately 10 m, is found abundantly in Pakistan and India [ 17 ].…”