Corn silk and its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties

A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine revealed that corn silk (Maydis stigma) has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. These findings suggest that corn silk could potentially be used to treat inflammation.

• Corn silk is used as a traditional medicine all over the world.
• Earlier research has shown that corn silk plays a role in some biological activities like diabetes and cancer prevention.
• In the current study, researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine in Daegu, Republic of Korea looked at the anti-inflammatory properties of corn silk and its molecular mechanism both in cells and in mice.
• The researchers found that corn silk inhibited inflammation in cells without causing cytotoxicity.
• The treatment of corn silk also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• In addition, treatment with corn silk exhibited an analgesic effect on the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and an anti-inflammatory effect on xylene-induced ear edema in mice.
• The researchers also identified the components of corn silk extract and found that it contains maysin as a marker component.

In sum, the researchers confirmed that corn silk has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, which can be used to treat inflammation-related conditions.

To read more studies on corn silk and its health benefits, visit AlternativeMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Jeong YH, Oh YC, Cho WK, Yang HJ, Ma JY. MAYDIS STIGMA ELICITS ANALGESIA AND BLOCKS EDEMA IN MICE AND INHIBITS INFLAMMATION IN MACROPHAGES. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 27 September 2017; 45(7): 1477-1496. DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X1750080X