The Influence of Corn Silk Polysaccharide on Signal Pathway of TGF-β1 in Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Rat

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and characteristics of maize polysaccharides from different sites

Antitumor, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory properties are all exhibited by maize polysaccharides. With the increasing sophistication of maize polysaccharide extraction methods, enzymatic method is no longer limited to a single enzyme to extract polysaccharides, and is more often used in combination with ultrasound or microwave, or combination with different enzymes. Ultrasound has a good cell wall-breaking effect, making it easier to dislodge lignin and hemicellulose from the cellulose surface of the maize husk. The "water extraction and alcohol precipitation" method is the simplest but most resource- and time-consuming process. However, the "ultrasound-assisted extraction" and "microwave-assisted extraction" methods not only compensate for the shortcoming, but also increase the extraction rate. Herein, the preparation, structural analysis, and activities of maize polysaccharides were analyzed and discussed.

Increment of Lysosomal Biogenesis by Combined Extracts of Gum Arabic, Parsley, and Corn Silk: A Reparative Mechanism in Mice Renal Cells

Gum Arabic (GA), parsley, and corn silk have been traditionally used for renal failure patients worldwide. This study aimed at probing the mechanism of the combined extracts, namely, GA (3 g/kg/day), parsley (1 g/kg/day), and corn silk (200 mg/kg/day), as nephroprotective agents in mice after amikacin (1.2 g/kg) single dose through exploration of their action on G-protein coupled receptors (GPR) 41 and 43 and the ensuing lysosomal biogenesis. Western blotting was employed for renal levels of bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and cytosolic cathepsin D; cell death markers, nuclear transcription factor EB (TFEB), and lysosomal associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1); and lysosomal biogenesis indicators. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and docking were also employed. After amikacin treatment, BAX and cathepsin D levels were upregulated while LAMP-1 and nuclear TFEB levels were inhibited. The combined extracts inhibited BAX and cytosolic cathepsin D but upregulated LAMP-1 and nuclear TFEB levels. Docking confirmed GPR modulatory signaling. The combined extracts showed GPR signal modulatory properties that triggered lysosome synthesis and contributed to reversing the adverse effects of amikacin on renal tissues.