Saponins from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire) leaves inhibit markers of inflammation in vitro through NFκB pathways

Abstract

Saponins are naturally occurring phytochemicals present in Yerba mate and other plant sources that have been associated with several health benefits. The objective was to extract and partially purify saponins from yerba mate dry leaves and assess their anti‐inflammatory effects on macrophages (RAW 264.7). HPLC and LC/ESI‐MS‐MS were used to identify saponins in chromatographic fractions of methanol extracts. Six fractions A, B, C, D, E, and F, were obtained. Fractions D, E and F had characteristic mate saponin spectra between 800–1200 m/z and major saponins in these fractions were matesaponin 1 [M‐H]− =911and matesaponin 2 [M‐H]− =1057, with minor amounts of matesaponin 3 [M‐H]−=1073, matesaponin 4 [M‐H]− =1219, and matesaponin 5 [M‐H]− =1383. It was determined that dry yerba mate leaves have 10–15 mg total saponins/g, predominately matesaponins 1 and 2. Fractions A, B, and C did not reduce inflammatory markers. Fractions D, E, and F significantly inhibited iNOS (IC35 = 36.3, 29.5, 43.7 μM), PGE2 (IC35 = 23.1, 22.3, 11.7 μM) and COX‐2 (IC35 = 45.7, 32.4, 17.0 μM). Treatments with fraction F (25 μM) resulted in the reduction of LPS‐induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB) subunits p50 (49.8%) and p65 (49.0%) indicating that mate saponins inhibit inflammation through NFκB pathways. Chemical structure of saponins influenced the inhibition of inflammatory markers in vitro.Research Board, U IllinoisGrant Funding Source: Research Board, University of Illinois