Effect of Aqueous Corn Silk (Stigma maydis) Extracts on Serum Electrolytes in Male Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Excretion of water and active solutes such as Na⁺ and K⁺ have an effect in regulating blood pressure, as diuretic effects can result in loss of water and solutes in the blood. Thus, the decrease in blood volume will reduce the blood pressure. The diuretic effects of Corn silk (CS) have been reported by many literatures. This study investigated the mechanism through which CS exerts its diuretic effects, by investigating its effects on serum electrolyte levels. Twenty (20) normal male albino rats were divided into four groups as; control (normal saline), Spironolatone (0.002mg/kg/day) treated, CS (aqueous extract) 200mg/kg/day and CS (aqueous extract) 600mg/kg/day, treated rats. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, after 10 days and 21days for the estimation of Serum Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO3^-, Urea, Billirubin and Creatinine. Twenty one days administration of CS extracts resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum K⁺, HCO3^- and Creatinine levels compared with the control. However administration of CS extract significantly (p<0.05) lowered the serum Na⁺ concentrations compared with the control. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in serum urea, billirubin and serum Cl^-, level between all groups at the end of 21 days. This study revealed that Corn silk extract may be a useful tool of considerable therapeutic importance in lowering blood pressure due to its sodium lowering and its potassium sparing properties.

Keywords: Corn silk, Diuretics, Spironolactone, Electrolytes, Albino Wistar rats