A preclinical study conducted in Argentinaidentified new healing properties in yerba mate. The finding opens the door to possible therapeutic uses for patients with nutritional problems.
The experiment was carried out with malnourished rats. Researchers observed a better response in wound healing after applying a formula based on yerba mate extract.
Mantener el equilibrio es esencial
What did Argentine scientists discover?
A group of local researchers developed a natural formulation (YMF) that combines yerba mate extract, amino acids, and vitamins. The treatment was tested on malnourished and well-nourished rats with excision wounds.
The analysis showed that wounds treated with YMF exhibited faster and more effective contraction compared to the animals in the control group.
An advance with nutraceutical potential
In addition to observing more efficient healing, the researchers highlighted that there were histological improvements and greater angiogenesis in the tissues treated with this formula. Positive changes were also recorded in hematological and biochemical parameters.
Los animales tratados mantuvieron sus habilidades motoras intactas
This suggests that yerba mate could be useful as a nutraceutical for people with nutritional deficiencies who face complex wounds.
Publication and study authors
The work was published on July 18, 2025, in the Journal of Food Science. Its title was: "Wound healing potential of a formulation containing yerba mate extract".
La yerba mate podría ser útil como nutracéutico
The authors of the study were Andrea Lorena Berengeno, Juan Garona, Hernán Farina, and Hugo Héctor Ortega. The team is part of the Centro de Medicina Comparada (CMC).
What is still needed to apply this treatment in humans?
Although the results are promising, the team indicated that clinical studies are still needed to validate its effectiveness in people.
Determine the ideal dose
Confirm its safety
Establish its therapeutic window
¿Qué falta para aplicar este tratamiento en humanos?
The scientists also clarified that there were no conflicts of interest affecting the integrity of the data.
