Elevated Iron Chelating Activity of Ilex paraguariensis Leaf Infusion: in vitro and in vivo Pilot Studies

Abstract This study presents an Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with important potential as natural iron-chelating. The impact of infusion time and the water volume to obtain an Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with high phenolic content and iron chelating activity, such as the stability of these proprieties in the storage time and temperature (immediately and after 24 h at 8 and 25 (C) were assessed. The acute consumption effect of this infusion to reduce iron absorption in vivo was also evaluated. A preliminary crossover trial with volunteers that ingested a meal containing non-haem iron (11.4 mg) with the treatments: Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with the highest phenolic content and iron chelating activity (200 mL) or control (200 mL water). Blood samples were withdrawn before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after the meal for serum iron measurement. The highest phenolic content (18.1 mg/mL) and iron chelating activity ((100%) were observed for 10 min infusion time using 30 g leaves/300 mL water. Storage at 8 or 25 (C for 24 h decreased total phenolics and di-caffeoylquinic acids by 23.5% and 25.5%, respectively (p< 0.05), without affecting the iron-chelating activity due to a saturating chelating effect at 3.34 mg/mL phenolic content. Inhibition of the iron absorption in vivo by infusion was 78% considering the iron recovery at peak maximum. The in vitro and preliminary in vivo results showed a functional property of the Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion that may be useful for adjuvant management of iron overload diseases.

In vitro and In vivo Antitrypanosomal Effects of Petroleum Ether, Chloroform and Methanol Extracts of Artemisia maritima Linn.

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of the whole plant of Artemisia maritima Linn were studied in vitro and in vivo for antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss albino mice. The extracts were also screened for phytochemicals/secondary metabolites. All the extracts showed trypanocidal activity against T. brucei brucei in vitro with the petroleum ether extract showing the highest activity. The in vivo study revealed that only the chloroform extract A. maritima exhibited antitrypanosomal activity. This extract at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.05) reduced the parasitemia in T. brucei brucei infected mice when compared with the other treatment groups. The chloroform extract of A. maritima at this dose reduced the level of parasitemia to 26%. This reduction in the level of parasitemia is statistically significant (p<0.05) compared to the other treatment groups and the untreated control group. The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed that the extracts contain secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, anthraquinones and alkaloids. The presence of these secondary metabolites in this plant might be responsible for the antitrypanosomal activity exhibited by its extracts.