Taxon Ilex as a promising source of bio-active compounds

Plants from European Ilex sp. (holly, mainly aquifolium or meserveae) were still in the nineteenth century pharmacopoeias, as raw materials with defined biological properties: antipyretic, and antirheumatic chologogic. However, because of the very high popularity and availability species of South American- paraguarienis, they disappeared almost completely Pharmacopoeia or textbooks pharmacognosy. The biological activity of I. paraguariensis is well know, and it is widely used as beverage, plant drug or food supplement. In Europe is used for veight loss, physical and mental fatigue, asthenia. Due to high content of saponins, it possess also strong diuretic activity. Here we present chemical composition of I. aquifolium and I. meservae taxons (terpenoid, rich with triterpenes of oleane and amyrin type, polar as well as saponins fraction) and their effect on some physiological and biochemical parameters, using Wistar and Zicker rats. We found, that European taxons of Ilex possesses in animal model, positive effect on rats feed with high-cholesterol diet. What could be noticed dereasing of LDL cholesterol and TG level What is most important, atherosclerotic plaques in group treated with I. aquifolum and meservae was significantly smaller. Extracts of terpenoids and saponins from I. meserveae seems to have positive influence on kidney status. However, polyphenols present in extract as well as in the infusion from Ilex meserveae and Ilex paraguaiensis in normal diet have toxic effect which is decreased by high fat diet. This is synergistic effect and can be used equally for protection of kidney against polyphenols, as well as protection of the kidney against high fat diet. In conclusion we could summarize that compounds presented in European taxon of Ilex possesses similar biological to I. I. paraguariensis and they could be used in similar applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

TG level ، bio-active compounds ، Taxon