Oral safety evaluation of aqueous extract of boiled Stigma maydis (Corn silk) in rats

<p>Eziuche Amadike Ugbogu, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Chikezie Uche-Ikonne and Okezie Emmanuel</p>

Oral safety evaluation of aqueous extract of boiled Stigma maydis (Corn silk) in rats

Eziuche Amadike Ugbogu, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Chikezie Uche-Ikonne and Okezie Emmanuel

Abia State University, Nigeria

: J Forensic Toxicol Pharmacol

Abstract

Corn silk (Stigma maydis) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetics, kidney stone, depressant, fatigue, urinary infections and as a slim tea. However, there is limited scientific literature on its safety. This study, therefore, evaluated the acute and sub-acute toxicity effect of aqueous extract of the Stigma maydis in rats. In acute toxicity test, the aqueous extract of Stigma maydis was orally administrated up to 5000mg/kg in a single dose using gavage and the rats were observed for any behavioral changes, signs of toxicity or mortality. In sub-acute toxicity, the rats were orally administered 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg Stigma maydis extract for 28 days. In the acute toxicity test, Stigma maydis did not cause any mortality and was non-toxic at the dose of 5000mg/kg body weight. In the sub-acute study, the extract caused an observable significant increase (p<0.05) in triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein while high-density lipoprotein decreased significantly (p>0.05) when compared with their control groups. Rats treated with 1000 and 2000mg/kg of Stigma maydis significantly increased (p<0.05) in AST and ALT when compared to their control groups. The histopathological results revealed degenerative changes in the liver at 2000mg/kg extract. This study suggests that prolonged use of higher doses of aqueous extract Stigma maydis≥1000 mg/kg could be hepatotoxic and therefore only lower doses should be encouraged for therapeutic use.