PHYTO-PHARMACOGNOSTIC SCREENING AND IN-VIVO ANTIUROLITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF STIGMA OF ZEA MAYS LINN.

Abstract

Traditionally Zea mays Linn. has been used for the treatment of edema, cystitis, gout, kidney stones, nephritis, and
prostatitis. Hence the present study envisaged to scientifically validate the folk claim of corn silk stigma for urolithiasis
activity on rat model. Pharmacognostic such as macroscopic and microscopic examination were performed on Zea mays
plant. The plant was extracted with ethanol and water and then phytochemical constituents has been investigated by
chemical test along with HPTLC study. To investigate the possible potential of decoction and ethanol extracts of Zea mays
Linn. stigma as a therapy for lithiasis, the present study examined the effect of Zea mays Linn. stigma on experimentally
EG-induced calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithic albino rats. The current study analysed the serum concentrations of
calcium, phosphorus, urea and creatinine. The data revealed that the group II at 200 mg/kg body weight dose showed
dose dependent lower level of urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus (p less than 0.001) in rats treated with ethanol extracts
of Zea mays Linn. In rats treated with ethanolic extract of Zea mays Linn. stigma attributed the lower serum creatinine and
urea levels in dose dependent manner. Hence the plant can be used as an alternative medicine to prevent urolithiasis.