Yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract prevents ethanol-induced liver injury in rats

Ethanol metabolism-associated oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. We examined the effect of a Mate tea extract on ethanol-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo models. Isolated hepatocytes were incubated with ethanol. An extract of Yerba-Mate tea (EMT) was added to the cultures simultaneously with ethanol. EMT treatment suppressed the ethanol-induced increase in cell death by inhibiting cytochrome p450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity, which is related to the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, we examined the effects of EMT on serum transaminase activity, and the progression of liver fibrosis in rats treated with ethanol and CCl4. Rats were fed a diet that included 0.005% or 0.02% EMT or no EMT. For a period of 3 weeks, the animals were provided drinking water containing 5% ethanol and were also treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.1 ml/kg of body weight). EMT treatment suppressed plasma ALT and AST activities in the ethanol- and CCl4-treated rats. EMT treatment also decreased CYP2E1 expression and increased ADH expression in the ethanol- and CCl4-treated rats. EMT treatment fully protected the rats against ethanol- and CCl4-induced liver injury. These results suggest that EMT may serve as a candidate for preventing ethanol-induced liver injury.