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<p>Corn silk (<i>Zea mays</i> L., Poaceae) are functional extensions of the pistillate florets on the corn ear and have been widely used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and for the treatment of jaundice, cystitis, nephritis, and hyperglycemia, among other conditions. Rich in flavonoids and polysaccharides, these secondary metabolites are associated with their therapeutic properties. Considering the medicinal applications of corn silk, this review compiled and analyzed scientific evidence regarding its toxicity, providing an updated overview of its safety. The research, conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, identified 108 articles published between 2011 and 2024, of which 10 satisfied the inclusion criteria. The selected studies assessed, both in vivo and in vitro, acute, subacute, subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity, ocular toxicity, and cytotoxicity. The results indicated low oral acute toxicity and no mutagenic effects. However, one acute toxicity study reported animal mortality upon exposure to 5&#xa0;ml/kg, and two subchronic activity studies identified biochemical changes associated with potential hepatic toxicity at high doses and prolonged administration. Ethanol extracts also demonstrated cytotoxicity in fibroblasts at 10&#xa0;mg/ml. Significant gaps were identified in this study, particularly concerning reproductive and developmental toxicity, hindering a comprehensive assessment of the safety of corn silk use under specific conditions, such as during pregnancy.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Toxicological Profile of Corn Silk (Zea mays): A Scoping Review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月9日

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  • Graziele Alícia Batista Caixeta,
  • Vanessa Cristiane Santana Amaral

摘要

Corn silk (Zea mays L., Poaceae) are functional extensions of the pistillate florets on the corn ear and have been widely used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and for the treatment of jaundice, cystitis, nephritis, and hyperglycemia, among other conditions. Rich in flavonoids and polysaccharides, these secondary metabolites are associated with their therapeutic properties. Considering the medicinal applications of corn silk, this review compiled and analyzed scientific evidence regarding its toxicity, providing an updated overview of its safety. The research, conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, identified 108 articles published between 2011 and 2024, of which 10 satisfied the inclusion criteria. The selected studies assessed, both in vivo and in vitro, acute, subacute, subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity, ocular toxicity, and cytotoxicity. The results indicated low oral acute toxicity and no mutagenic effects. However, one acute toxicity study reported animal mortality upon exposure to 5 ml/kg, and two subchronic activity studies identified biochemical changes associated with potential hepatic toxicity at high doses and prolonged administration. Ethanol extracts also demonstrated cytotoxicity in fibroblasts at 10 mg/ml. Significant gaps were identified in this study, particularly concerning reproductive and developmental toxicity, hindering a comprehensive assessment of the safety of corn silk use under specific conditions, such as during pregnancy.

Graphical Abstract