Analysis of Polysaccharide Fraction from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) on Regeneration of Planarian (Girardia tigrina)

The present study evaluates the regenerative activity of a polysaccharide fraction from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) using planarian (Girardia tigrina) as a model. At 10 mg L-1, the polysaccharide fraction improves the regeneration of the head, pharynx, and tail of G. tigrina. At the end of experiment, at 10 mg L-1, the planarians obtained are 22-72% higher than the control group. The planarian fragments exposed to the highest concentration used, i.e., (60 mg mL(-1)), show signs of toxicity, producing death of some organisms. Thus, the polysaccharide fraction presents a great potential for improving the regeneration of planarian segments, suggesting its potential use in tissue regeneration.

Automated summary

The polysaccharide fraction from yerba mate shows potential in improving the regeneration of planarian segments, but may cause toxicity at high concentrations leading to organism death.