Yerba Maté (ilex Paraguariensis) Effect on Human Colon Normal and Tumor Cells

Background: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is known to possess many biological activities against diverse tissues among others alimentary tract wall. Aim: The aims of the study were to evaluate potential toxic effects of water and ethanol (by Soxhlet extraction and shaking extraction methods) and free radical scavenging properties of Yerba mate extracts on human normal colonic epithelial and human colon carcinoma cells. Materials and methods: NR uptake, MTT, (DPPH) reduction and ELISA tests were used to test toxicity, anti-proliferative activity, ROS reduction and cytokine level, respectively. Results: Depending on kind of extract, their concentration, kind of cells they influenced on and method of analysis, different toxic and stimulatory of cells viability effects were observed. Yerba mate extracts demonstrated strong free radical scavenging activity. The plant extracts also expressed immunomodulatory effects influencing on IL-6 production by normal and tumor cells. Ilex paraguariensis extracts stimulated normal colonic cells for the cytokine production while limited such production by human colon tumor ones. Conclusion: Concluding, Yerba mate water and ethanolic extracts possess strong pharmacological activities against normal colonic epithelium and colon derived tumor cells. This activity may be used in health promoting endeavors and could be defined as chemopreventive factors but only with special care and after additional, thorough studies. INTRODUCTION: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill. Aquifoliaceae) is one of the most popular consuming plant in South America. Traditional usage of mate is in form of beverages but in the last decade it begun to be served as candies, beers, energy drinks or creams . According to the folk medicine, Yerba mate consumer goods possess many activities which strongly influence human health. They are used as stimulants against physical and mental weakness (central nervous system stimulant), and have been shown to act as hepatoprotective, choleretic, diuretic, hypocholesterolemic, antirheumatic, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity or cardioprotective agents 1, . Moreover, it has been widely used as a cancer inhibitory and antimutagenic factors acting against many carcinomas among others gastrointestinal tract pathologies .