Study of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) phenolic compounds bioavailability

Author(s)

Daniela Moura de Oliveira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2013-04-18

Examining board members

Deborah Helena Markowicz Bastos; Gustavo Guadagnucci Fontanari; Neuza Mariko Aymoto Hassimotto; Marcelo Macedo Rogero; Geni Rodrigues Sampaio

• Advisor: Deborah Helena Markowicz Bastos; Rodrigo Ramos Catharino

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluation of biological properties of bioactive compounds and nutrients, aiming to explain the relationship between food consumption and decreased risk of diseases, is a field of study directly related to public health. Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) is a plant rich in phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acids) which are extensively metabolized after ingestion. Detailed knowledge about the metabolites, its concentrations and target tissues is fundamental to clarify the action mechanisms involved in disease prevention. Objective: Evaluating the biotransformation of Yerba maté phenolic acids in vivo in Wistar rats. Methods: Animals were euthanized 90 min (pilot study) or 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 (main study) after administration of maté tea or 5-caffeoylquinic acid (standard) by gavage. Control group received saline solution. In the pilot study plasma, liver, kidneys, muscle, stomach and small intestine were analyzed for identification of phenolic compounds and the dose of 2 g maté tea/kg body weight was defined for the main study, which corresponds to 240 mg of total phenolic compounds/kg bw, dose administered to the Standard group as 5-CQA. Quantification was performed in plasma, liver, stomach, large intestine and urine in the main study. Analyses were performed using UPLC/DAD-MS, after development and validation of methodologies for extraction of phenolic acids from fluids and tissues. Maté tea phenolic compounds amount and profile were evaluated by UPLC/DAD-MS. Results: Developed methodologies showed good levels of recovery and precision. Limits of quantification (LQ) and detection (LD) were calculated for each biological matrix. In the pilot study, chlorogenic acids and their phase I and II metabolites were detected in all biological matrices. In the main study, the main compounds in gastric large and intestinal tissues were intact chologenic acids, whereas in plasma, liver and urine their metabolites were present in larger quantities, specially caffeic acid, bound to glucuronic acid and/or sulfate groups, and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid in the free form on Yerba Mate group, and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid and feruloylquinic acid on the group that received 5-CQA. It was demonstrated that chlorogenic acids absorption and metabolism begins in stomach, but most of the absorption takes place in the large intestine, especially after microbial metabolization. Approximately 4,0 per cent of compounds ingested by Yerba Mate group and 3,3 per cent by Standard group (mol/mol) were recovered in urine collected up to 8 hs after the gavage, in the form of chlorogenic acids and the evaluated metabolites. Conclusion: The absorption and metabolization of chlorogenic acids begins in the stomach. There were differences in the amount and type of compounds formed from maté tea or pure 5-CQA, showing that the profile of chlorogenic acids on food products may influences qualitatively and quantitatively the metabolites formed on the body. Greater emphasis should be given to metabolites in studies that assess biological properties and mechanisms of action of phenolic compounds from yerba mate and other food source (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/01275-8 - In vitro and in vivo study of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) phenolic compounds bioavailability.
• Grantee: Daniela Moura de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate