Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet
Young-Rye Kang, Hak-Yong Lee, Jung-Hoon Kim, Dea-In Moon, Min-Young Seo, Sang-Hoon Park, Kwang-Ho Choi, Chang-Ryong Kim, Sang-Hyun Kim, Ji-Hyun Oh, Seong-Wan Cho,Sun-Young Kim, Min-Gul Kim, Soo-Wan Ch
P. 23-29
Yerba Mate, derived from the leaves of the tree, Ilex paraguariensis, is widely-used as a tea or as an
ingredient in formulated foods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Yerba Mate
extract on weight loss, obesity-related biochemical parameters, and diabetes in high-fat diet-fed mice.To
this end, by using in vivo animal models of dietary-induced obesity, we have made the interesting
observations that Yerba Mate has the ability to decrease the differentiation of pre-adipocytes and to
reduce the accumulation of lipids in adipocytes, both of which contribute to a lower growth rate of
adipose tissue, lower body weight gain, and obesity. Our data from in vivo studies revealed that Yerba
Mate treatment affects food intake, resulting in higher energy expenditure, likely as a result of higher
basal metabolism in Yerba Mate-treated mice. Furthermore, in vivo effects of Yerba Mate on lipid
metabolism included reductions in serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and glucose concentrations in
mice that were fed a high fat diet. In conclusion, Yerba Mate can potentially be used to treat obesity and
diabetes.
