ANTIOXIDANT, ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF CORN SILK IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Abstract

Objective: The hydroalcoholic extract of corn silk (Zea mays L.) was evaluated phytochemical constituents and its in vitro antioxidant, in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic solvent was used to extract corn silk, and qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted to know the bioactive constituents present in corn silk. Several in vitro assays were performed to determine the antioxidant potential, namely DPPH free radical scavenging and metal chelating assays. In vivo, the analgesic activity was assessed in the hot plate test and anti-inflammatory activity was measured in carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The extract pharmacological effects were paralleled with the standard drugs, pentazocine (analgesic) and indomethacin (anti-inflammatory). Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids and carbohydrates in hydroalcoholic extract of corn silk. The antioxidant activity of the extract was very high in the DPPH assay and metal chelating assays. It also exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in experimental animals, mostly at 200 mg/kg. The activities observed were similar to the standard drugs, pentazocine and indomethacin. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of corn silk shows a high antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, likely due to the high content of phytochemicals. The results indicate that corn silk may be a good source of therapeutic agents in the natural world. Another research is required to identify and purify the bioactive compounds and find their mechanisms of action.