Anxiolytic-like, stimulant and neuroprotective effects of Ilex paraguariensis extracts in mice

Evaluation of the Effects of Instant Cascara Beverage on the Brain-Gut Axis of Healthy Male and Female Rats

Instant cascara (IC) is a sustainable beverage obtained from dried coffee cherry pulp, rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. The present research aimed to determine the effects of IC on general health and brain-gut axis parameters of healthy female and male rats. Wistar rats were exposed to IC (10 mg/mL) in their drinking water for 3 weeks. Body weight and solid and liquid intakes were monitored as indicators of food safety. Gastrointestinal transit was radiographically evaluated one day (acute) and 3 weeks (chronic) after the start of IC exposure. Locomotor activity, anxiety, and anhedonia of the animals after 3 weeks of treatment was also studied. Overall, compared to water-exposed animals, IC significantly increased food intake in males (p < 0.0001) and liquid intake in females (p < 0.05) without changes in body weight in either case. IC did not significantly modify gastrointestinal motility parameters after its acute or repeated intake and did not cause any significant behavioral alterations in males or females (p > 0.05). In conclusion, repeated intake of IC at the studied concentration did not negatively affect brain-gut axis functions of healthy male and female rats. Anxiety behavior, diarrhea, constipation, abnormal weight modifications, or other typical effects of toxicity were not observed in animals treated with the new powdered beverage, suggesting its food safety under the studied conditions.

Consumption of cashew nut induced anxiolytic-like behavior in dyslipidemic rats consuming a high fat diet

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cashew nut consumption on anxiety-like behavior in dyslipidemic rats. The groups formed were: Control (CONT), Dyslipidemic (DL) and Dyslipidemic cashew nuts (DLCN). Tests to assess anxiety parameters were performed after the treatment period. Brain fatty acid profiles were analyzed. The animals in the DLCN group showed more rearing than DL, without differing from the CONT and less grooming than either the DL and CONT in the Open Field. In the Elevated Plus Maze, DLCN spent more time on the open arms and in the central area compared to the other groups. As for brain fatty acids, there was a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids for the DLCN compared to the other groups. The cashew nut, rich in fatty acids, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, reduced the anxiogenic-like behavior caused by dyslipidemia in rats without altering brain fatty acids.

Yerbamate Tea Consumption: A Protective Factor in Parkinson Disease

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the association between Yerbamate (YMT) tea consumption and Parkinson disease (PD). We determined whether there was an association between YMT tea consumption and PD.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter case-control study in 3 countries (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). We applied a structured questionnaire about YMT tea consumption history. The survey also included information about factors previously associated with a decreased and increased risk of PD, apart from medical and demographic factors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multivariate unconditional binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

We included 215 cases and 219 controls. The mean age of the cases was 65.6 ± 10.5 years and that of controls was 63.1 ± 10.5 years (P < 0.02). Years of YMT tea consumption, number of liters drunk per day, and amount of YMT used for preparing the infusion were similar between cases and controls (P > 0.05), but not the number of times the YMT was added into the container (P = 0.003) and the YMT tea concentration per serving (P = 0.02). The multivariate analysis showed that YMT tea concentration per serving lowered the risk for PD, independent of potential confounders (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter study highlights the association between an environmental factor, the YMT tea drinking, and PD. Although more evidence from longitudinal studies is needed, the results obtained here points toward a protective effect of the YMT tea concentration per serving on PD.

Hibiscus, Rooibos, and Yerba Mate for Healthy Aging: A Review on the Attenuation of In Vitro and In Vivo Markers Related to Oxidative Stress, Glycoxidation, and Neurodegeneration

The world is currently undergoing a demographic change towards an increasing number of elderly citizens. Aging is characterized by a temporal decline in physiological capacity, and oxidative stress is a hallmark of aging and age-related disorders. Such an oxidative state is linked to a decrease in the effective mechanisms of cellular repair, the incidence of post-translational protein glycation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, just to name some of the markers contributing to the establishment of age-related reduction-oxidation, or redox, imbalance. Currently, there are no prescribed therapies to control oxidative stress; however, there are strategies to elevate antioxidant defenses and overcome related health challenges based on the adoption of nutritional therapies. It is well known that herbal teas such, as hibiscus, rooibos, and yerba mate, are important sources of antioxidants, able to prevent some oxidation-related stresses. These plants produce several bioactive metabolites, have a pleasant taste, and a long-lasting history as safe foods. This paper reviews the literature on hibiscus, rooibos, and yerba mate teas in the context of nutritional strategies for the attenuation of oxidative stress-related glycoxidation and neurodegeneration, and, here, Alzheimer’s Disease is approached as an example. The focus is given to mechanisms of glycation inhibition, as well as neuroprotective in vitro effects, and, in animal studies, to frame interest in these plants as nutraceutical agents related to current health concerns.

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

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 (EC₅₀ = 54.4 ± 5.14 μg · mL⁻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.

Chimarrão, terere and mate-tea in legitimate technology modes of preparation and consume: A comparative study of chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties of the mostly consumed beverages of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used by South American populations for centuries and is popularly attributed to stimulating and detoxifying properties. Nowadays, their consume traditionally occurs through three different beverages: chimarrão, terere and mate-tea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although its composition and properties are well studied, literature lacks work comparing the potential of their extracts obtained by a legitimate preparation mode of their popular beverages. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate changes in chemical composition, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory efficacy and anxiolytic effect from lyophilized aqueous extracts obtained simulating the legitimate popular preparation mode of chimarrão, terere and mate-tea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this work, were investigated differences related to preparation technology and dry material used through chemical composition analysis, with the lyophilized aqueous extracts obtained simulating the chimarrão, terere and mate-tea preparation. The chemical composition analysis comprises the total soluble phenolics content, chemical profiles by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and quantitative component detection by HPLC-UV/DAD. Moreover, evaluations of comparative antioxidant activity of the extracts (DPPH and ORAC_FL assays), anti-inflammatory efficacy and anxiolytic effect were performed in vivo.

RESULTS

Our results showed that chimarrão extracts presented a richer composition in terms of phenolic compounds and purine alkaloids, and better antioxidant activity when compared to the other extracts. In pleurisy test, all products showed anti-inflammatory properties in the dose of 60 mg/kg. In the anxiolytic evaluation, although all extracts presented some effect, chimarrão and terere were better than mate-tea in general. No sign of toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support that the beverage made as chimarrão has the best composition and the most promising properties overall.

Herbal drugs and natural bioactive products as potential therapeutics: A review on pro-cognitives and brain boosters perspectives

Memory, one of the most vital aspects of the human brain, is necessary for the effective survival of an individual. 'Memory' can be defined in various ways but in an overall view, memory is the retention of the information that the brain grasps. Different factors are responsible for the disbalance in the brain's hippocampus region and the acetylcholine level, which masters the memory and cognitive functions. Plants are a source of pharmacologically potent drug molecules of high efficacy. Recently herbal medicine has evolved rapidly, gaining great acceptance worldwide due to their natural origin and fewer side effects. In this review, the authors have discussed the mechanisms and pharmacological action of herbal bioactive compounds to boost memory. Moreover, this review presents an update of different herbs and natural products that could act as memory enhancers and how they can be potentially utilized in the near future for the treatment of severe brain disorders. In addition, the authors also discuss the differences in biological activity of the same herb and emphasize the requirement for a higher standardization in cultivation methods and plant processing. The demand for further studies evaluating the interactions of herbal drugs is mentioned.

Exploring CNS effects of American traditional medicines using zebrafish models

Although American traditional medicine (ATM) has been practiced for millennia, its complex multi-target mechanisms of therapeutic action remain poorly understood. Animal models are widely used to elucidate the therapeutic effects of various ATMs, including their modulation of brain and behavior. Complementing rodent models, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a promising novel organism in translational neuroscience and neuropharmacology research. Here, we emphasize the growing value of zebrafish for testing neurotropic effects of ATMs and outline future directions of research in this field. We also demonstrate the developing utility of zebrafish as complementary models for probing CNS mechanisms of ATM action and their potential to treat brain disorders.

Metabolic depletion of synaptosomal enzymes linked with neurotoxicity and ovarian dysfunction by phenolic antioxidants of Croton zambsicus leaves in rats exposed to chronic mixture of anthropogenic toxicant

A complex mixture of organic contaminants and metals is associated with neuron-fertility disorders and studies have demonstrated that phenolic antioxidants from herbal origin, possesses a strong protective potential. This study aimed to investigate the protection of phenolic croton zambesicus (C-ZAMB) leaves against neuro-ovarian damage in rats exposed to chronic mixture of anthropogenic toxicants (EOMABRSL). The animals were divided into five groups (n = 10): Group I was given 0.5 ml of distilled water only; Group II received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 98 days; Group III received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 70 days and withdrew for 28 days; Group IV received 0.5 ml of EOMABRSL for 70 days +400 mg/kg phenolic C-ZAMB for 28 days; Group V received 400 mg/kg C-ZAMB only for 28 days via oral route. Both non-withdrawal and withdrawal EOMABRSL-exposed animals exhibited neuro-ovarian impairment by up-regulating neuronal 51 eco-nucleotidase (51ENT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butrylcholinesterase (BuChE), synaptosomal monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) with altered cerebral antioxidants. Similarly, exposure to EOMABRSL for 98 and 70 days caused ovarian injury by amplifying the activity of 51ENT with corresponding decline of fertility index, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Δ5 17β-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (Δ517β-HSD). EOMABRSL intoxication also increased the neuro-ovarian MDA content with reduced numbers of neonates. Phenolic antioxidants from C-ZAMB leaves identified by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) ameliorated the chronic EOMABRSL intoxication. The treatment also prevented ovarian lesions by depleting MDA content and improved antioxidant status. Thus, confirming its neuro-ovarian protection.

Effect-Directed Profiling of 17 Different Fortified Plant Extracts by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Combined with Six Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

An effect-directed profiling method was developed to investigate 17 different fortified plant extracts for potential benefits. Six planar effect-directed assays were piezoelectrically sprayed on the samples separated side-by-side by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Multipotent compounds with antibacterial, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, AChE, tyrosinase and/or β-glucuronidase-inhibiting effects were detected in most fortified plant extracts. A comparatively high level of antimicrobial activity was observed for Eleutherococcus, hops, grape pomace, passiflora, rosemary and Eschscholzia. Except in red vine, black radish and horse tail, strong enzyme inhibiting compounds were also detected. Most plants with anti-α-glucosidase activity also inhibited β-glucosidase. Green tea, lemon balm and rosemary were identified as multipotent plants. Their multipotent compound zones were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry to be catechins, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and gallic acid. The results pointed to antibacterial and enzymatic effects that were not yet known for plants such as Eleutherococcus and for compounds such as cynaratriol and caffeine. The nontarget effect-directed profiling with multi-imaging is of high benefit for routine inspections, as it provides comprehensive information on the quality and safety of the plant extracts with respect to the global production chain. In this study, it not only confirmed what was expected, but also identified multipotent plants and compounds, and revealed new bioactivity effects.

Ilex paraguariensis extract provides increased resistance against oxidative stress and protection against Amyloid beta-induced toxicity compared to caffeine in Caenorhabditis elegans

Ilex paraguariensis is a plant from South America, used to prepare a tea-like beverage rich in caffeine and polyphenols with antioxidant proprieties. Caffeine consumption is associated with a lower risk of age-associated neuropathologies, besides several extracts that have antioxidant proprieties are known to be neuroprotective, and oxidative stress strongly correlates with Aβ-toxicity. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of the Ilex paraguariensis hydroalcoholic extract (IPHE) and to evaluate if caffeine agent present in IPHE exerts neuroprotective effects in an amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. The wild-type and CL2006 worms were treated with IPHE (2 and 4 mg/mL) or caffeine (200 and 400 μM) since larval stage 1 (L1) until they achieved the required age for each assay. IPHE and caffeine increased the lifespan and appeared to act directly by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger in both wild-type and CL2006 worms, also conferred resistance against oxidative stress in wild-type animals. Furthermore, both treatments delayed Aβ-induced paralysis and decreased AChE activity in CL2006. The protective effect of IPHE against Aβ-induced paralysis was found to be dependent on heat shock factor hsf-1 and FOXO-family transcription factor daf-16, which are respectively involved in aging-related processes and chaperone synthesis, while that of caffeine was dependent only on daf-16. Mechanistically, IPHE and caffeine decreased the levels of Aβ mRNA in the CL2006 worms; however, only IPHE induced expression of the heat shock chaperonin hsp-16.2, involved in protein homeostasis. The results were overall better when treated with IPHE than with caffeine.

Dietary yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) influences lipid profile of broiler meat

SUMMARY Yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis) has in its composition organic compounds wich can modify chemical composition of broiler meat. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of yerba mate in chemical composition and lipid profile of broiler breast and thigh meat. The trial was conducted using 500 broiler chicks distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0.1; 0.2; 0.4, and 0.6%) and five replicates with 25 chicks each. The chicken were raised form 1 to 42 days old and slaughtered for analysis of breast and thigh meat. The addition of mate did not affect the chemical composition and the lipid profile of the chicken breast, however, the composition of the meat of thigh meat was affected. It was observed effect of the addition of the yerba mate to saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the chicken meat. Stands out the reduction in saturated fatty acid concentrations and the increase in the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially Linolenic and Eicosapentaenoic, thus demonstrating the potential of mate grass in altering the lipid profile of poultry meat.

Medicinal plants with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is characterised by hypofunction of acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter in the distinct region of brain. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme that metabolises the ACh at synaptic cleft resulting in Alzheimer's disease. Medicinal plants have been used to treat numerous ailments and improve human health from ancient time. A traditional system of medicine is long recognised for its effective management of neurological disorders. The present review confers the scope of some common medicinal plants with a special focus on AChE-mediated central nervous system complications especially Alzheimer's disease. Literature suggests that medicinal plants reduce neuronal dysfunctions by reducing AChE activity in different brain regions. In some instances, activation of AChE activity by medicinal plants also showed therapeutic potential. In conclusion, medicinal plants have a wide scope and possess therapeutic potential to efficiently manage neurological disorders associated with AChE dysregulation.

Chlorogenic acids and flavonoid extraction during the preparation of yerba mate based beverages

This study determined the content of chlorogenic acids (CA) and rutin during successive aqueous extraction of yerba mate for tererê and chimarrão from four yerba mate types (smooth, native, traditional and coarse ground). Aqueous extracts were prepared aiming to simulate homemade procedure by partially (chimarrão) or completely (tererê) immersing the herb into hot (chimarrão) or cold (tererê) water (30 times consecutively). The content of CA and rutin in the aqueous extracts was compared to those in methanolic extracts (exhaustive extraction). Tererê aqueous extracts gave higher amounts of all phenolic compounds (2.5 to 6 times higher than chimarrão). Among chimarrão, course-ground aqueous extracts had on average 15% more PC (phenolic compounds). By comparing the content in aqueous and methanolic extracts, after 30 successive extractions, on average 14% of the total amount of CA in yerba mate leaves and 9% of rutin were transferred to the chimarrão extracts, whereas tererê achieved between 40% and 100% of transference. Thus, this study shows that CA and rutin are continuously extracted during the preparation of aqueous extracts of chimarrão and tererê, favoring a high intake of these antioxidant species by consumers.

Compounds from Ilex paraguariensis extracts have antioxidant effects in the brains of rats subjected to chronic immobilization stress

Immobilization induces oxidative damage to the brain. Ilex paraguariensis extracts (Mate) and their major natural compound, chlorogenic acid (CGA), exert protective effects against reactive oxygen species formation. Here, the effects of Mate and CGA on oxidative damage induced by chronic immobilization stress (CIS) in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum were investigated. For CIS, animals were immobilized for 6 h every day for 21 consecutive days. Rats received Mate or CGA by intragastric gavage 30 min before every restraint session. Endpoints of oxidative stress (levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms of glutathione) were evaluated following CIS. While CIS increased oxidized lipid and carbonyl levels in all brain regions, CGA (and Mate to a lesser extent) attenuated lipid and protein oxidation as compared with control groups. GSH/GSSG balance showed a tendency to increase in all regions in response to stress and antioxidants. Taken together, our results support a protective role of dietary antioxidants against the neuronal consequences of stress.