Extraction Optimization of Polysaccharides From Corn Silk and Their Antioxidant Activities in vitro and in vivo

From waste to wonder: exploring the hypoglycemic and anti-oxidant properties of corn processing by-products

Introduction: The industrial processing of corn (Zeamays L.) generates by-products such as corn silk, straw peels, and straw core, which contribute to adverse environmental impacts. Our study aimed to investigate sustainable approaches for mitigating these effects by evaluating the hypoglycemic potential and mechanisms of ethyl acetate fractions derived from these corn derivatives. Methods: We employed glucose consumption assays, high glucose stress tests, UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS analysis, molecular docking, and simulations to assess their components and efficacy. Antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and •OH scavenging assays. Results: Notably, the ethyl acetate fraction extracted from straw peels (SPE) exhibited a high concentration of flavonoids and phenolic compounds along with pronounced hypoglycemic activity and antioxidant capacity. SPE significantly enhanced glucose consumption in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells while protecting HUVECs against damage caused by high glucose levels. Molecular docking analyses confirmed the interaction between active compounds and α-glucosidase as well as α-amylase, while molecular dynamic simulations indicated stability at their binding sites. Discussion: In conclusion, the hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties observed in corn by-products such as straw peels, corn silk, and straw core can be attributed to the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, coupled with their rich phenolic and flavonoid content. These findings highlight the potential of these by-products for applications in healthcare management and their sustainable utilization, demonstrating significant value in the use of agricultural residues.

Supplementation with stigma maydis polysaccharide attenuates autism-like behaviors and improves gut function in valproic acid-induced autism model male rats

Stigma maydis polysaccharide (SMPS) has regulatory effect on the intestinal microflora and promotes gastrointestinal peristalsis. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience gastrointestinal problems and dysbiosis in their gut microbiota. Our previous study revealed that SMPS interventions had an impact on the gut microbiota of valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism model rats. However, the effects of SMPS on the behavior and gut function of autism model rats remain poorly understood. Therefore, we gave different doses of SMPS intervention in the early stage of autism model rats to observe their developmental conditions and behavior performances. Through histological evaluation and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), integrity of the intestinal structure and the expression of tight junction-related gene Zo-1 and Occludin were detected. The results indicated that SMPS intervention improved the physical development, learning and memory impairment, and social performance of autism model rats. Meanwhile, SMPS promoted intestinal peristalsis and restored the integrity of the intestinal structure, reduced the number of inflammatory cells, and increased the expression of the Zo-1 and Occludin genes. Furthermore, the expression levels of neurotransmitters (substance P, enkephalin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and 5-hydroxytryptamine) in the hippocampal tissues were altered after SMPS treatment. In conclusion, SMPS could ameliorate ASD-like phenotypes and gut problems in autism model rats. Collectively, these results provide new evidence for the relationship between the gut-brain axis and ASD and suggest a novel therapeutic target for ASD treatment.

Interaction mechanism between luteoloside and corn silk glycans and the synergistic role in hypoglycemic activity

As the two most principal active substances in the corn silk, polysaccharides and flavonoids, the mechanism of interaction between them has been a topic of intense research. This study provides an in-depth investigation of the interaction mechanism between corn silk glycans and luteoloside (LUT) and the synergistic role that result from this interaction. The interaction mechanism was evaluated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and circular dichroism (CD), and the synergistic role was evaluated by the expression of glucose transporters (GLUT-1), insulin secretion and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). CD and ITC results indicated that the interaction between CSGs and LUT mainly driven by the Cotton effects, enthalpy and entropy-driven. This interaction precipitated the formation of complexes (CSGs/LUT complexes) between corn silk glycans (CSGs) with four different molecular weights and luteoloside (LUT). Furthermore, the CSGs and LUT play a synergistic role in glucose regulation through GLUT-1 expression and insulin secretion experiments, compared to single luteoloside group.

By-Products of Zea mays L.: A Promising Source of Medicinal Properties with Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Comprehensive Review

Zea mays (Z. mays) is one of the main cereal crops in the world, and it's by-products have exhibited medicinal properties to explore. This article intends to review the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of by-products of Z. mays (corn silks, roots, bract, stems, bran, and leaves) which support the therapeutic potential in the treatment of different diseases, with emphasis on the natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. Based on this review, 231 natural compounds are presented. Among them, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids are the most frequently reported. The by-products of Z. mays possess diuretic effects, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, plant protection activity, and other activities. This article reviewed the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. mays for comprehensive quality control and the safety and effectiveness to enhance future application.

Dietary Corn Silk (Stigma maydis) Extract Supplementation Modulate Production Performance, Immune Response and Redox Balance in Corticosterone-Induced Oxidative Stress Broilers

Immunosuppression is a serious consequence of oxidative stress exposure that negatively affects the productivity and profitability of birds, as well as their well-being. Thus, the present investigation was designed to evaluate the potential of corn silk extract (CSE) supplementation to overcome the negative impacts of oxidative stress induced by corticosterone administration (CORT) in broiler chickens. A total of 280 one day old Cobb 500 male chicks were divided into four groups in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. The experimental groups included CSE supplementation (0 or 500 mg/kg diet, from 20 to 35 days of age) and CORT administration (0 or 25 mg/kg diet, from 22 to 35 days of age) as independent factors. At the end of week five of age, production performance parameters were measured. The humoral and cell-mediated immune response parameters, redox status, and stress markers were determined. Data revealed deleterious effects of CORT administration on the broilers' body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, an exponential increase in stress marker levels, in addition to immunosuppression and redox imbalance, were associated with CORT administration. However, CSE supplementation, with its high total phenols content, partially alleviated the negative impacts of CORT administration, as shown by a significant improvement in immune response parameters and antioxidant activity, as well as a reduction in stress marker levels. Furthermore, CSE supplementation to non-stressed birds even significantly improved total antioxidant activity, total white blood cells (TWBCs) count, T-lymphocyte stimulating index, and wattle thickness. It can be concluded that, under stress conditions in commercial broiler farms, dietary CSE supplementation can strongly be recommended to modulate the negative impacts of stress. Therefore, CSE can be used as an effective immunomodulator and antioxidant agent to increase commercial broiler farm productivity and profitability.

Ciprofol attenuates the isoproterenol-induced oxidative damage, inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Background and Purpose: Ciprofol (HSK3486), a novel 2,6-disubstituted phenol derivative, is a new intravenous anesthetic compound with a similar chemical structure to propofol. Animal studies have also shown that propofol plays a protective role in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and takotsubo syndrome. However, whether ciprofol exerts cardioprotective effects on myocardial infarction remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this work was to explore the potential cardioprotective mechanism of ciprofol on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction. Experimental Approach: In the present study, male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to subcutaneous injection of ISO (100 mg/kg) for 2 consecutive days to induce experimental myocardial infarction. Herein, we found that ciprofol could inhibit the abnormal increase in myocardial injury enzymes, the area of myocardial infarction and cardiac dysfunction in ISO-treated mice. Ciprofol administration increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and reduced the levels of NADPH oxidase and malondialdehyde in ISO-treated hearts. Additionally, ciprofol administration markedly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In an in vitro model, the results also confirmed that ciprofol could inhibit ISO-induced oxidative damage, the inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Moreover, ciprofol can activate the sirtuin1 (Sirt1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and Sirt1 and Nrf2 inhibition almost abolished ciprofol-mediated cardioprotective effects. Interpretation: Ciprofol protects the heart against ISO-induced myocardial infarction by reducing cardiac oxidative stress, the inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Various Organic Extracts from Apocynum hendersonii (Hook.f.) Woodson

Apocynum hendersonii is a traditional medicinal plant used primarily as tea. It has a potential health benefit from its rich bioactive substances. This study investigated the reactivity of solvents of different polarities (ethanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water) extracts of the A. hendersonii leaf. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was evaluated using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), UHPLC-MS, and Higher Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The result revealed the presence of medicinally important bioactive constituents, including phenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Methanol extracts exhibited the highest flavonoid contents (20.11 ± 0.85 mg QE/g DW) and the second-highest in terms of phenolic (9.25 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g DW) and polysaccharide (119.66 ± 2.65 mg GE/g DW). It also had the highest antioxidant capacity with 60.30 ± 0.52% and 4.60 ± 0.02 µmol Fe²⁺ per g DW based on a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), respectively. Ethanol extract displayed the maximum antibacterial action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and the highest inhibition activity against the enzymes tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase, followed by methanol extract. The principal component analysis revealed a positive correlation between the constituents, bioactivities, and extracts. The overall result showed A. hendersonii as a rich natural source of antimicrobial and antioxidant bioactive compounds and may be used for future applications in pharmaceuticals and food industries.