Zea mays (Mayi) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Zea mays (Mayi, But, Mais) — family Poacées.

Scientific synonyms : Mays americana-B, M zea Gaertn, Mayzea ceralis-Raf, Zea altisima-C-C. Gmel ex Steud, Z americana-Mill, Z canina-S.W, Z hirta-Bonaf, Z vegetalis-Salisb, Z vulgaris-Mill.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 13 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 51 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Stigmata. Mentioned synergistic association: association synergique avec PERSEA AMERICANA-Mill (Semence).

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Okon AJ (2018)

     Excerpt The effect of ethanolic extracts of Persea americana seed & Zea mays silk on blood glucose levels, body & organ weights of alloxan- induced hyperglycemic Wistar rats was investigated using standard analytical techniques. At the end of the experiment, the groups administered 400 mg/kg body weight Zea mays silk single extract & 400 mg/kg body weight combined extract of P americana seed Z mays silk showed significant (P< 0.05) decrease in fasting blood glucose when compared with the diabetic control.

   • According to Makama YN (2017)

     Excerpt The current research is aimed at evaluating the Hypoglycemic & Hepatoprotective Effects of Hydroethanol Extract of Zea mays on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats. After induction of diabetes, animals of group II, III, IV & V received Z mays silk extract (0.6 g/kg, 0.8 g kg-1) & Glibenclamide (1mg/kg) orally for 14 days respectively, while group I served as control and were administered with normal saline.

   • According to Lao F (2017)

     Excerpt They were also found to ameliorate lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertension & cardiovascular diseases, based on their strong antioxidant power involving biochemical regulation amelioration. Purple corn (Zea mays L.), a grain with one of the deepest shades in the plant kingdom, has caught the attention of the food industry as it could serve as a source for alternatives to synthetic colorants.

   • According to Okokon JE (2018)

     Excerpt Zea mays husk extract & fractions (187–748 mg kg−1) were evaluated for antidiabetic & hypolipidemic potentials in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with the extract/fractions caused reduction in FBG with the dichloromethane fraction having the highest activity.

2. 2

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment of liver, breast, prostate (androgen-dependent) and uterine cancer

   Plant part used: Grain.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Makama YN (2017)

     Excerpt This present work indicates that hydro- ethanol extract of Z mays silk possesses significant hypoglycaemic & hepatoprotective activity in vivo by reducing liver function enzymes, initiate regeneration of beta cell in the xvii. The current research is aimed at evaluating the Hypoglycemic & Hepatoprotective Effects of Hydroethanol Extract of Zea mays on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats.

   • According to Habte-Mariam L (1998)

     Excerpt In the course of screening marketed European anti-inflammatory herbal drugs for TNF antagonistic activity, a crude ethanolic extract of corn silk (stigma of Zea mays) exhibited significant activity. Treatment of human endothelial cells with cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) or E.

   • According to Balasubramanian K (2013)

     Excerpt The present study focuses on the ability of the different extracts (aqueous, methanol & chloroform) of the leaves of Zea mays in influencing the process of apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in Hep2 (laryngeal carcinoma) cells. This indicated that the aqueous & methanol leaf extracts did not influence the cytotoxic action of H2O2 in the cancer cells.

   • According to Balasubramanian K (2014)

     Excerpt Conclusion: Z mays leaf extract exhibits anticancer property & can also augment the chemotherapeutic activity of Etoposide in the cancer cells. Therefore, in the present study, the extent of cell death induced by Etoposide-induced oxidative stress & the role of Z mays leaf extracts were followed in Hep 2 (laryngeal carcinoma cell line) cells.

   • According to Chilôn-Cornejo V (2018)

     Excerpt Weight gain, hematological values (hematocrit, erythrocytes, haemogram, leukocytes, platelets), serum biochemistry (urea, creatinine, ALT, total proteins, albumin, globulins), hepatic & renal histopathology were performed. Weight gain and other hematological values, as well as renal & hepatic biochemistry in the other groups were not significant.

3. 3

   Malaria: Plasmodium berghei, P. falciparum (chloroquine-resistant)

   Plant part used: Root.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Okokon JE (2017)

     Excerpt The root extract of Zea mays was investigated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice using rodent malaria models; suppressive, prophylactic and curative tests & in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (Pf 3D7) and resistant (Pf INDO) strains of Plasmodium falciparum using SYBR green assay method. Conclusion: These results suggest that the root extract of Zea mays possesses antimalarial activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and resistant malaria and these data justify its use in ethnomedicine to treat malaria infections.

   • According to Okokon JE (2017)

     Excerpt MATERIALS & METHODS: The ethanol husk extract & fractions (187-748 mg/kg, p.o.) of Zea mays were investigated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei using rodent (mice) malaria models & in vitro activity against chloroquine sensitive (Pf 3D7) & resistant (Pf INDO) strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the SRBR green assay method. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the husk extract/fractions of Z mays possess antimalarial & antiplasmodial activities & these justify its use in ethnomedicine to treat malaria infections.

   • According to Okokon JE (2017)

     Excerpt (Poaceae) husk extract is used traditionally in Ibi bio traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria, pains, inflammatory diseases & central nervous system disorders. mays has prominent antidepressant activity which is due to the activities of its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic component.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.