Avaliação do potencial neuromodulador da erva mate (Ilex paraguarienses st. Hill) em Caenorhabditis elegans e Danio rerio

Abstract

Yerba mate is a plant native to South America, widely consumed in the form of chimarrão. The presence of antioxidant properties already known in yerba mate, makes the study of this plant something very relevant, and may contribute to research that evaluates the effect of its compounds in the protection against oxidative stresses that can cause neurodegenerative diseases. It is known that the metal Al is present in large quantities in the earth's crust, and can be found in water treatment and in the composition of yerba mate. In this context, the objective of the work was to evaluate whether the Ilex paraguariensis plant has a preventive or remedial role in face of the stress induced by Al, using the concentrations found in the mate herb itself in the organisms Caenorhabditis elegans (C.elegans) and Danio rerio (Zebrafish). Enzymatic and behavioral parameters were evaluated in both model organisms. At first, the presence of Al in the streams of the Hydrographic Basin of Corsan Erechim / RS was quantified, in order to assess whether the Al ingested in the chimarrão, was due to the preparation water or the yerba mate and the results showed that the content of the Al ingested is due to the yerba mate itself. Thus, concentrations of Al found in the plant itself were used, based on previous work by the research group, where three concentrations were defined, 5.5; 8.0 and 10.5 mg / ml of Al. And the yerba mate extract used was prepared at 75 ° C simulating an infusion of mate. The in vivo exposure tests to Al showed that the doses used were toxic, causing oxidative stress that consequently interfered in enzymatic and behavioral activities. However, when the organisms were submitted to the extract of yerba mate, it demonstrated that the extract is able to improve the enzymatic resistance during oxidative stress conditions, and also presented a more effective antioxidant activity after the installation of the oxidative damage, due to the activity of enzymes in the elimination of bioactive molecules, having a greater remediation effect than protection.