Wound Healing Potential of a Formulation Containing Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Extract: A Preclinical Study in a Rat Model of Undernutrition

ABSTRACT

The development of novel formulations to promote an accelerated wound healing process is an important need in medicine. Yerba mate (YM) (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.) exhibits significant biological activities, and we here developed a YM-based formulation (YMF), combining a natural and polyphenol-rich YM extract with a mixture of amino acids and vitamins, and assessed its healing effect in undernourished rats in comparison to normonourished rats subjected to excisional wounds. Two full-thickness wounds were performed when the weight difference between the normal and undernourished groups reached 30%–35%, and then the diet of both the undernourished control undernourished treated groups was changed to a normal nutritional condition. The treatment consisted of supplying rats with YMF (15 mL/100 g body weight/day) in replacement of drinking water from 7 days before surgery until the end of these studies. Wound closure analysis revealed a progressive increase in wound contraction in undernourished rats treated with YMF until an advanced stage of healing as compared to control animals. Histology showed a higher total score with better angiogenesis and inflammation scores in YMF-treated animals (p < 0.01). Some hematological and biochemical variables were significantly correlated with the nutrition and YMF treatment. Besides, the body weight of animals did not change during the treatment, with the exception of day 12 after surgery, when this parameter was higher in the undernourished treated group than in the undernourished control group (p < 0.05). Taken together, the new YMF improved the healing of excisional wounds in a preclinical animal model and could be considered a nutraceutical for the treatment of nutritionally affected patients with complex wounds.

Practical Application: This work has revealed the potential of the new yerba mate–based formulation (YMF) for improving the healing wound in an animal model of undernutrition subjected to surgery. Although we used a single YMF dose selected from preclinical–clinical safety and efficacy studies in diverse therapeutic scenarios, YMF can be considered a nutraceutical for the treatment of nutritionally affected patients undergoing surgery with complex wounds. Further clinical testing to confirm efficacy, optimal dosing, and specific therapeutic window of application is needed.