In Vitro Free Radical Scavenging Properties and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ilex paraguariensis (Maté) and the Ability of Its Major Chemical Markers to Inhibit the Production of Proinflammatory Mediators

Abstract

Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae), popularly known as “yerba mate,” has great economic and social significance for the population of Southern Latin America. This study was conducted (1) to investigate the phytochemical composition of four different standardized extracts, (2) to investigate its free radical scavenging properties, and (3) to investigate the anti-inflammatory action of I. paraguariensis and its major chemical markers. The chemical profile was achieved by Folin-Ciocalteu, by LC/DAD, and by LC/MS assays, while the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated, respectively, by DPPH assay and by inhibition of nitric oxide (Griess reaction) and TNF-α (ELISA). Our results demonstrated that the IA (aqueous infusion extract) showed higher amounts of total phenolic contents ( 266.62 ± 10.85 mg CAE·g-1 DE), the highest amounts of all six chemical markers (theobromine, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeine, and rutin), and stronger antioxidant activity ( E C 50 = 54.4 ± 5.14 μ g · m L − 1 ). The IA extract also showed the lowest inhibition of NOx secretion ( 50.10 ± 8.97 % ) as well as inhibition of TNF-α ( 83.33 ± 4.01 % ). Regarding the chemical markers, all compounds showed strong inhibition of NOx secretion, especially theobromine, which was 200x more potent than dexamethasone. Furthermore, TNF-α secretion was also significantly decreased by THEO at 0.033 μM ( 22.15 ± 6.49 % ), NCA at 1.97 μM ( 27.46 ± 3.98 % ), CCA at 0.35 μM ( 39.76 ± 5.73 % ), CGA at 0.56 μM ( 23.58 ± 5.79 % ), CAF at 0.52 μM ( 26.45 ± 5.34 % ), and RUT at 0.16 μM ( 40.18 ± 3.70 % ). Our results suggest that I. paraguariensis and its major chemical markers have strong free radical scavenging properties as well as showed important anti-inflammatory activity and that these compounds in a plant extract may work based on several different mechanisms synergistically, resulting in moderating the immune system.

Aniline Degradation Coupled with Removal and Recovery of the Chemically Bound Nitrogen in a Bioelectrochemical System with a Micro-oxygen Bioanode

“…In the case of aromatic amines completed degradation via traditional biological treatment processes, two or more bioreactors should be integrated to efficiently remove organic carbon and nitrogen simultaneously. , Moreover, aeration and additional organic carbon are required to support nitrification and denitrification, and may lead to NO x emissions in the environment . In this proof-of-concept work, the proposed micro-oxygen BES ammonia recovery system is a sustainable technology to realize the co-removal of organic components and CBN, while simultaneously making it possible to recover CBN as a value-added nitrogen resource.…”

“…21,22 Moreover, aeration and additional organic carbon are required to support nitrification and denitrification, 23 and may lead to NO x emissions in the environment. 24 In this proof-of-concept work, the proposed micro-oxygen BES ammonia recovery system is a sustainable technology to realize the co-removal of organic components and CBN, while simultaneously making it possible to recover CBN as a value-added nitrogen resource. ■ ASSOCIATED CONTENT…”

Technological Prospection and Scientific Innovation of Ilex paraguariensis Saint-Hilaire in the Wound Healing Process

“…Even so, I. paraguariensis extracts have a wide variety of phytochemical compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that should be better studied in the future, including primary metabolites such as polysaccharides, amino acids, minerals and vitamins, and secondary metabolites [16,24,46]. Polyphenols such as hydroxycinnamic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, feruloylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-Ocaffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, quinic acid, citric acid, quercetin glycoside, kaempferol glycoside, and rutin may play an essential role in the plant activities [47][48][49]. In addition to phenolic compounds, methylxanthines such as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine are also found in large amounts [12,48].…”

Impact of Baobab Consumption on Some Biochemical Alterations in Male Diabetic Rats

“…By preventing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, limiting the action of pro-inflammatory enzymes, and modifying immune cell activity, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory characteristics. Additionally, they can stop the production of genes that promote inflammation by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B), a crucial regulator of inflammation [6]. Baobab has a remarkable amount of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant [7].…”