Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review of Mechanistic and Clinical Evidence.

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease driven by persistent inflammation and oxidative stress. Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) contains bioactive compounds-particularly chlorogenic acids, quercetin, and rutin-with documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Objectives

To systematically review the mechanistic and clinical evidence on Ilex paraguariensis and its main constituents in RA-relevant inflammatory, oxidative, and bone metabolic pathways.

Methods

Following PRISMA 2020, PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO were searched up to September 2025. Eligible studies included yerba mate preparations (last 10 years) or isolated compounds (last 5 years) assessing RA-relevant clinical, inflammatory, oxidative, or bone metabolic outcomes. Non-original studies were excluded. Owing to heterogeneity, findings were narratively synthesized, and risk of bias was evaluated using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, OHAT, and SYRCLE.

Results

Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria: 11 human (clinical or observational), 7 human-based in vitro, and 5 animal studies. Interventions with yerba mate infusions or standardized extracts suggest reductions in inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukin-6) and indicate improvements in glutathione-related oxidative balance. Evidence from isolated compounds, particularly quercetin and rutin, suggests comparable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Preclinical studies appear to indicate modulation of inflammatory and redox pathways relevant to RA.

Conclusions

Yerba mate and its constituents show preliminary indications of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects with potential relevance to RA pathophysiology. However, in the absence of clinical trials in RA patients, conclusions remain tentative, constrained by small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, species differences, and internal validity concerns. Future research should include rigorously designed randomized trials and mechanistic studies using advanced human-relevant platforms, such as organoids and organ-on-chip systems.