Histopathological and Biochemical Investigation of the Effects of Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Tea on Antiobesity Effect in Rats Fed with High Fat Diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the preventative effect of Mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) tea on obesity development in rats fed with high fat diet by histopathological and biochemical methods. In this study, 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups as Control Group (C) (n:8), High Fat Diet Group (YYD) (n: 8), High Fat Diet+Mate Group (YYD+M) (n: 8) and Mate Group (M) (n: 8). YYD and YYD+M group rats received YYD (4165 kcal/kg) containing fat (300 g/kg) for 8 weeks. The daily preparation of Mate leaf (Ilex paraguariensis) tea at the dose of 3 g/kg body weight in rats of group YYD+M and M group was given by orogastric catheter. During the study, weight gain of the rats was monitored. Hepatoprotective effect by Ilex paraguariensis tea was further supported by the almost normal histology in YYD+M group as compared to the degenerative changes such as fattenings, hydropic degeneration and coagulation necrosis of some hepatocyte in the YYD treated rats. Decreased levels of blood glucose AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, GGT, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and glocose were detected in YYD+M group. These findings suggested that simultaneous treatment of Ilex paraguariensis attenuated hepatic fat accumulation in YYD fed rats