Yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is recognized for its biocompounds and bioactive properties. This study aimed to assess the potential of yerba-mate extract to modulate the intestinal microbiota in rats. After the ethical committee approval (CEUA – UPF, number 025/2018), the Wistar rats were given a daily dose of 3.29 mg of phenolic compounds per animal for 45 days. The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by ABTS and FRAP assays and the total phenolic compounds was measured at different pH levels. Identification and quantification of chlorogenic acid isomers were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Intestinal microbiota modulation was evaluated by administering the yerba-mate extract or water (control) to Wistar rats via intragastric gavage and its efficiency was measured through PCR. The antioxidant capacity of the yerba-mate extract was 64.53 ± 0.26 μmol Trolox/mL (ABTS) and 52.96 ± 0.86 μmol Trolox/mL (FRAP). The total phenolic compounds showed higher levels at pH 7.5 compared to pH 2.0. Chlorogenic acid isomers were found in greater abundance, with a concentration of 14.22 g/100 g. The administration of the extract resulted in positive modulation of the intestinal microbiota, specifically for the genera Lactobacillus sp. and Prevotella sp. The increase of these genera is related to the promotion of homeostasis of the gut microbiota. Therefore, these findings indicate that yerba-mate extract possesses significant antioxidant activity and can effectively modulate the intestinal microbiota in rats. These results support the potential use of yerba-mate as an alternative for controlling and preventing diseases associated with intestinal dysbiosis.

Yerba-mate（巴拉瓜冬青）因其生物化合物和生物活性特性而闻名。本研究旨在评估马黛茶提取物调节大鼠肠道微生物群的潜力。经伦理委员会批准（CEUA – UPF，编号 025/2018）后，Wistar 大鼠每天被给予每只动物 3.29 毫克酚类化合物的剂量，持续 45 天。通过 ABTS 和 FRAP 测定评估提取物的抗氧化活性，并在不同 pH 水平下测量总酚化合物。使用高效液相色谱（HPLC）对绿原酸异构体进行鉴定和定量。通过灌胃给 Wistar 大鼠施用马黛茶提取物或水（对照）来评估肠道微生物群的调节作用，并通过 PCR 测量其效率。马黛茶提取物的抗氧化能力为 64.53 ± 0.26 μmol Trolox/mL (ABTS) 和 52.96 ± 0.86 μmol Trolox/mL (FRAP)。与 pH 2.0 相比，pH 7.5 时总酚化合物的含量更高。绿原酸异构体含量较高，浓度为 14.22 g/100 g。提取物的施用导致肠道微生物群的积极调节，特别是乳杆菌属。和普雷沃菌属。这些属的增加与促进肠道微生物群的稳态有关。因此，这些研究结果表明马黛茶提取物具有显着的抗氧化活性，并且可以有效调节大鼠的肠道微生物群。这些结果支持了马黛茶作为控制和预防与肠道菌群失调相关疾病的替代品的潜在用途。