Objectives: Corn silk is an underutilized part of corn which possesses great medicinal importance. The present study was planned to determine the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of corn silk extracts, obtained by different extraction methods using a series of solvents with increasing polarity. Methods: Three extraction methods 1) individual extraction in each solvent, 2) consecutive extraction in solvents of increasing polarity and 3) consecutive extraction of crude methanolic extract in solvents of increasing polarity and a series of five solvents with increasing polarity were used for extraction of phytochemicals. The extracts were analyzed for phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential. Results: Corn silk was found to contain a variety of bioactive phytochemical compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The corn silk phytochemicals were extracted more in high polarity solvents which showed comparatively good phytochemical composition and strong antioxidants potential. Regression analysis of experimental data showed a polarity dependent increase in extraction yield and phytochemical content and free radical scavenging capacity of extracts obtained by various extraction methods. Conclusion: The water extract obtained by individual extraction showed a comparatively high extraction yield and phytochemical content while that obtained by consecutive extraction of crude methanolic extract showed high ability to scavenge free radicals. The study advocates the corn silk as a good source of antioxidant phytochemicals and suggests the use of polar solvents and individual extraction method for extraction of corn silk phytochemicals.

Corn seeds are used as a nutritional source for humans, and the stem and leaves are utilized as fodder for cattle throughout the world. Corn silk and corn cob are usually discarded as waste. This chapter highlights the nutritional as well as medicinal importance of various parts of corn plant. All parts of corn plant are good source of a variety of bioactive phytochemical compounds which possess antioxidant potential. The principal phytochemicals present in corn seed and corn silk include polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glycosides, carotenoids, and polysaccharides of biological importance, reducing compounds and some water-soluble vitamins. The presence of these phytochemicals makes corn a medicinal plant which shows various biological activities particularly the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antiproliferative, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and renal-protective activities. On the account of its high antioxidant potential, all parts of corn plant can be used for the management of oxidative stress and the treatment of various diseases.

Aim: Solid-phase microextraction is proposed to measure concentrations of anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in live rat brains in response to stress. Materials & methods: Solid-phase microextraction fibers were prepared from steel with 1.5 mm extraction coating. 24 male rats were divided into groups based on brain region, stria terminalis or posterior hypothalamus and loud noise or control groups. The fibers were desorbed in acetonitrile-water (75:25) and analyzed by ultraperformance LC–MS/MS. The linear range of the method was 0.05–50 ng/ml and the in vivo concentrations were found to be between 0.3 and 40 ng/ml. Conclusion: The new approach was successfully used to determine the concentrations of anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in vivo and could be used in the future to measure other endogenous compounds.

Hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice has been studied by many researchers because of its diverse causes and potential for toxicity especially in the neonate but to a lesser extent beyond the neonate as well. Several studies have been performed on the normal metabolism and metabolic disorders of bilirubin in last decades of the 20th century. The recent advancement in research and technology facilitated for the researchers to investigate new horizons of the causes and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This review gives a brief introduction to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice and the recent advancement in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It reports modifications in the previously used methods and findings of some newly developed ones. At present, ample literature is available discussing the issues regarding hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice, but still more research needs to be done.

No abstract