An exploratory review of the cultural, botanical, and phytochemical profiles of Ilex paraguaiensis, focusing on the biological activity of its secondary metabolites during different pathophysiological states
Ubirajara Lanza-Júnior1*, Candida Aparecida Leite Kassuya1, Fábio Morato de Oliveira2, Cátia Rezende3 and Shafaq Nisar4
1Faculty of Health Sciences-Federal University of Grande Dourados-UFGD, Brazil
2Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Federal University of Jataí, Câmpus Jatobá – Cidade Universitária, Brazil
3Paulista University-Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
4Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Abstract
Ilex paraguaiensis popularly known as “yerba mate”, is a tree native to South America, cultivated primarily in Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and, Argentina. In addition to its cultural value, and despite not being considered a medicinal plant, “yerba mate” has been the subject of scientific studies due to its supposed pharmacological and nutraceutical properties. This study aimed to conduct an updated review of the main therapeutic effects related to the consumption and/or treatment with Ilex paraguaiensis or its secondary metabolites in different organic systems. The search for articles was carried out in the databases PubMed (NCBI), Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Online Electronic Library (SciELO), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online – MedLine (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library – SciELO and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences – LILACS. The consumption of Ilex paraguaiensis is a cultural tradition in some areas of South American countries and can represent a source of income when cultivated and commercialized. It is a plant with significant biological potential that is related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and stimulant properties of its secondary metabolites, which are mediated by different intracellular signaling mechanisms described in this review. The increase in clinical studies may corroborate the results of the preclinical studies presented in this review and, thus, contribute to the establishment of the pharmacological efficacy, safety, and risk of use of this plant. Thus, the continuity of scientific research on the biological activity of Ilex paraguaiensis and/or its secondary metabolites may lead to new perspectives related to the development of new drugs, pharmaceutical products, and nutraceuticals that are safe and may be useful in the treatment of different human pathophysiological conditions.
Key words: Ilex paraguaiensis, Botanical aspects, Folk medicine, Therapeutic uses, Secondary metabolites
Submitted: 29-06-2025; Accepted: 27-11-2025; Published: 15-12-2025
Full length article *Corresponding Author, e-mail: ubirajaralanzajunior@gmail.com, Tel: +551899678379