Influence of yerba mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) in improving some lipolytic enzymes of high-fat diet-induced obese rats

The present study aimed to evaluate tea beverage prepared from dried yerba mate leaves (Ilex paraguariensis) for its acceptability, identify and quantify its polyphenolic compounds, and its effects on obese rats .Tea prepared from yerba mate dried leaves was acceptable. The ethanolic extract of mate tea showed that, Chlorogenic acid was the main phenolic compound followed by caffeine ,Caffeic acid and the most important flavonoids was rutin, kamferol and quercetin have been identified and quantified using HPLC technique . Thirty five mature male rats weighted (160±5g) were randomly divided into two main groups. Group (1) (n=7) rats was fed on basal diet and kept as negative control (-ve) while, rats of the second main group (28 rats ) were fed on a high fat diet containing 45% fat for 4 weeks to induce obesity , then divided into four sub groups(7rats each) ,sub group (1) was left as positive control (+ve) and subgroups (2), (3) and (4) were orally given yerba mate extract (1. 2 and 3 m1/100gb.wt ) , twice daily for 8 weeks respectively. The rats were weighed; weight gains and feed efficiency ratios were calculated. At the end of experiment, all rats were sacrificed and adipose index was calculated. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of lipid profile , phospholipids, hepatorenal function , and estimation of serum levels of glucose ,insulin, leptin and malondialdehyde (MDA) ,reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase(CAT) and pancreatic lipase were measured as well as histopathology of liver was done The results showed that daily administration of yerba mate tea to obese rats significantly decreased weight gain (BWG% ),daily food intake(FI ) and ( FER),adipose index, serum levels of TC ,TG LDL-c, VLDL-c, phospholipids, glucose, leptin level , AST ,ALT, ALP, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid concentration,( MDA) and caused an inhibition to pancreatic lipase while an increase in the level of HDL-c ,insulin level , reduced glutathione ( GSH) content and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes ( SOD, GPX, CAT) compared with that of the positive control . As well, it alleviated the histopathological changes which seen in liver of obese rats. In conclusion , intake of yerba mate tea may benefit patients who suffer from hyperlipidemia .