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American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

Servi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTRACT 

For centuries, medicinal plants have been integral to treating ailments, with both traditional and modern medicine 

benefiting from their biologically active compounds. These plant-based remedies continue to be essential in 

healthcare, and interest in studying them has only grown. Corn silk (Zea mays L.) is one such valuable natural resource. 

This study focuses on quantifying the total flavonoid and β-carotene content in corn silk, alongside evaluating its 

antioxidant properties using phytochemical methods. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of corn 

silk’s potential therapeutic benefits and its relevance in natural medicine. 

KEYWORDS 

Corn silk, carotenoids, flavonoids, macro- and microelements. 

INTRODUCTION

It is known that preparations obtained based on 

medicinal plants are widely used in medicine in many 

countries around the world today. The reason for this 

is explained by the fact that drugs of natural origin 

  Research Article 

 

DETERMINATION OF SOME BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN 

CORN SILK (ZEA MAYS L) 
 

Submission Date: October 25, 2024, Accepted Date:  October 20, 2024,  

Published Date: October 30, 2024  

Crossref doi: https://doi.org/10.37547/ajbspi/Volume04Issue10-04 

 

 

I.R. Askarov 
Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Chairman of the "TABOBAT" Academy of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan 

ORCiD: 0000-0003-1625-0330 

 

F.S. Abdugapparov 
Docent of Department of Chemistry, Andijan State University, 170100, Andijan, Uzbekistan 

 

L.K. Lutfullin 
Professor of Department of Chemistry, Andijan State University, 170100, Andijan, Uzbekistan 

 

 

 

 

Journal Website: 

https://theusajournals.

com/index.php/ajbspi 

Copyright: Original 

content from this work 

may be used under the 

terms of the creative 

commons attributes 

4.0 licence. 

 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 37 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

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have less toxic properties and do not have side effects 

compared to synthetic drugs. Also, preparing 

ointments, tinctures, aerosols, and various powders 

made from medicinal plants is relatively easy and does 

not require complex technological devices and 

methods. This means that many of the above-

mentioned remedies can be prepared at home.. 

Many countries around the world are currently 

conducting extensive research to isolate biologically 

active compounds from medicinal plants, develop food 

additives based on these compounds, and implement 

them in practice. Corn silk (Zea mays L.) is regarded as 

a valuable natural medicinal source, commonly used in 

both traditional and modern medicine for its 

choleretic, diuretic, and hemostatic properties. Its rich 

chemical composition has made corn silk the focus of 

research at various scientific centers worldwide. This 

growing interest is driven by the historically proven 

effectiveness of corn silk and the absence of side 

effects that are often associated with toxic and 

synthetic drugs [1]. 

For many years, in folk medicine, a tincture made from 

corn silk has been used as a choleretic agent in 

inflammatory diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and bile 

ducts, and as an effective diuretic in internal bleeding, 

kidney and bladder stones [3,4]. Corn silk contains as 

biologically active substances - taraxerol, taraxisterol, 

androsterol, taraxacin, sterol, choline, nicotinic acid, 

nicotinamide, rubber, tars, inulin, fatty acids, essential 

oils and protein substances, additives, oleanolic acid, 

linolenic acid, palmitic acid, malic acid, mineral salts, 

alcohols, flavonoids, vitamin C, group B vitamins, 

vitamin P, provitamin A, choline, asparagine, iron salts, 

potassium and phosphorus salts [2]. Recent analysis of 

modern scientific literature has shown that flavonoids, 

which are biologically active compounds found in corn 

silk, have been extensively studied. In addition to these 

flavonoids, other groups of biologically active 

compounds from this raw material are also receiving 

significant attention in research. 

Table 1. Some biological active compounds are present in corn silk 

class of biological active 

compounds 

Compounds 

Flavonoids Maizin, methoxymaizin, chrysoeryl, 6-S-β-fucopyranoside, 4"-ON-

3'-methoxymaizin molludistin, isomolludistin, vitexin, isovitexin, 

orientin, isoorientin, isoscoparin, isoquercetrin, quercetrin-3,7-

diglucoside 

Phenolcarboxylic acids Chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, hydroxodolchinic acid 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 38 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nutrient Gallic acid, ellagic acid, gallocatechin, epicatechin, catechin, 

epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate 

Vitamins Phylloquinone, tamin, riboflavin, tocopherol, nicotinamide, 

ascorbic acid 

Polysaccharides Rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose 

Oleanolinic acid, ursolic acid 

B-sitosterol, stigmasterol 

Alcohols: 2.3-butanediol, ethanol, 1.2-propanediol, 2-

furanmethanol. Ketones 2.3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 

3-methyl-2,5-furandio, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 2,4-

pentanedione 

Aldehydes: benzeneacetaldehyde, heptanal, hexanal, proparal, 

pentanal, furfurol 

Saponins Rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose 

Oleanolinic acid, ursolic acid 

B-sitosterol, stigmasterol 

Alcohols: 2.3-butanediol, ethanol, 1.2-propanediol, 2-

furanmethanol. Ketones 2.3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 

3-methyl-2,5-furandio, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 2,4-

pentanedione 

Aldehydes: benzeneacetaldehyde, heptanal, hexanal, proparal, 

pentanal, furfurol 

Phytosterols Rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose 

Oleanolinic acid, ursolic acid 

B-sitosterol, stigmasterol 

Alcohols: 2.3-butanediol, ethanol, 1.2-propanediol, 2-

furanmethanol. Ketones 2.3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 

3-methyl-2,5-furandio, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 2,4-

pentanedione 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 39 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

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Aldehydes: benzeneacetaldehyde, heptanal, hexanal, proparal, 

pentanal, furfurol 

Volatile compounds Rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose 

Oleanolinic acid, ursolic acid 

B-sitosterol, stigmasterol 

Alcohols: 2.3-butanediol, ethanol, 1.2-propanediol, 2-

furanmethanol. Ketones 2.3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 

3-methyl-2,5-furandio, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 2,4-

pentanedione 

Aldehydes: benzeneacetaldehyde, heptanal, hexanal, proparal, 

pentanal, furfurol 

Amino acids Asparagine, glutamine, glycine, alanine, lysine, proline. serine, 

threonine, cysteine, valine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, 

tyrosine, phenylalanine, histidine, arginine, cystine 

 

Flavonoids found in corn silk have garnered significant 

attention from researchers due to their unique 

physicochemical structure. In addition to flavonoids, 

corn silk also contain phenolic-carboxylic acids, vitamin 

K, phytosterols, volatile compounds, polysaccharides, 

amino acids, and saponins. 

The pharmacological properties of corn silk are of 

considerable importance in practical medicine. Current 

research highlights their various pharmacological 

effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, 

antidiabetic, hypotensive, neuroprotective, and 

photoprotective activities. Scientific literature 

provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of corn 

silk in the complex treatment of tumor diseases. 

This research focuses on the spectroscopic 

determination of flavonoid and β-carotenoid levels in 

corn silk.  

Experimental part:The amounts of β-carotenoids and 

total flavonoids in dried and ground corn silk were 

measured using an EMC-30PC spectrophotometer 

(Germany) by assessing the optical densities of the 

solutions. The determination of flavonoid content was 

carried out following the method outlined in reference 

[5]. 

To conduct the analysis, we utilized the GOST 55312-

2012 method. The research object was corn silk, which 

was crushed to a particle size that passed through a 1 

mm sieve. An analytical sample consisting of 1 g of 

dried corn silk was placed in a 100 ml conical flask, to 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 40 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

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which 25 ml of a 1% hydrochloric acid solution was 

added along with 30%, 45%, and 80% ethanol solutions. 

The mixture was continuously stirred using a magnetic 

stirrer at room temperature.  

The resulting solution was then filtered to obtain 

solution A. From this filtrate, 1 ml was transferred into 

a 25 ml volumetric flask, and the volume was brought 

to the mark with ethyl alcohol. Each mixture was 

heated in a water bath for 30, 60, and 90 minutes, 

respectively. The optical density of the solutions was 

measured using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength 

of 430 nm, and the total flavonoid content in the 

product was determined using the following formula. 

Here D is the optical density of the substance under 

investigation; 

m - product weight, g 

W-Mass loss during drying of raw materials, % = 14% 

The method recommended in GF XIV was used to 

determine the amount of β-carotenoid and the amount 

was calculated by the following formula [4]. 

 

 

Here, D is the optical density of the substance under 

investigation; 2773 - 450 nm β-carotenoid relative 

absorption index; 2- the volume of the hexane 

separation to obtain the test solution, 30- the volume 

of the extract (ml), 25- the volume of the test solution 

(ml), m is the mass of the product, g; W-product 

moisture. 

 

Table 2. Amount of β-carotenoid in 100 g of corn silk 

Extractant Product-Extractant 

Ratio 

Fineness, mm Extraction time, 

min 

β-carotene 

quantity, mg  

Hexane 1:5 1,0 30  0,28  

 

From the above data, it can be seen that the β-

carotenoid contained in the corn silk is isolated in high 

yield (0.28 mg) when extracted with hexane. 

 

Table 3. Metrological characteristics of determination of β-carotenoid content in corn silk 

n X,% S2 Sx P,% T (p,f) ±∆ E,% 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 41 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

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12 9.54 0.0662 0.2573 95 2.18 ±0.1619 ±0.027 

 

The results of statistical analysis of the obtained data 

indicate that the error in determining the amount of β-

carotenoids in corn silk, within a 95% confidence 

interval, is ± 0.027%. Flavonoids are biologically active 

compounds that belong to the class of polyphenols 

and are found in various parts of plants. They play a 

significant role in biological processes in the body, 

helping to strengthen the immune system and 

enhancing the body’s response to allergens, viruses, 

and carcinogens. Research shows that flavonoids 

exhibit greater antioxidant activity than vitamins C and 

E, as well as carotenoids. Plant materials rich in 

flavonoids are valuable for their applications as natural 

dyes, food antioxidants, and tannins. Some flavonoids 

also possess antibacterial properties.  

Quercetin, an important flavonoid, is known for its anti-

inflammatory, antihistamine, antispasmodic, 

antioxidant, and diuretic effects. Rutin and quercetin, 

components of vitamin R, are used to reduce the 

permeability and fragility of capillaries, improve the 

quality of red blood cells, and prevent blood clotting. 

Tabe 4. The total amount of flavonoids present in corn silk. 

Extractant 
Product- 

Extractant Ratio 
Fineness, mm 

Extraction time, 

min 

Amount of 

flavonoids 

Ethanol 30% 

1:5 1,0 30  0,0500 

1:5 1,0 60  0,0699 

1:5 1,0 90  0,0951 

Ethanol 45% 

1:5 1,0 30  0,1158 

1:5 1,0 60  0,1355 

1:5 1,0 90  0,1735 

Ethanol 96% 

1:5 1,0 30  0,1975 

1:5 1,0 60  0,3161 

1:5 1,0 90  0,2543 

 

Table 5. Metrological characteristics of determining the amount of flavonoids in corn silk 

Ethanol 

% 

t, 

time 
n X S2 S P, % T(p,f) ΔХ Е, % 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 42 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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30 30 12 0,0500 0,03 0,1732 95 2,18 0,109 3.4673 

30 60 12 0,0699 0,042 0,2049 95 2,18 0,129 2.9304 

30 90 12 0,0951 0,0571 0,2389 95 2,18 0,1504 2.5135 

45 30 12 0,1158 0,06954545 0,2637 95 2,18 0,166 2.2773 

45 60 12 0,1355 0,0814 0,2852 95 2,18 0,1795 2.1054 

45 90 12 0,1735 0,1042 0,3228 95 2,18 0,2031 1.8606 

80 30 12 0,1975 0,1186 0,3444 95 2,18 0,216757825 1,7436 

80 60 12 0,3161 0,1898 0,4357 95 2,18 0,27417937 1,3784 

80 90 12 0,2543 0,1527 0,3908 95 2,18 0,2459 1,5367 

 

Research indicates that the aqueous extract of corn 

silk has significant antioxidant properties, according to 

various scientific sources. In light of this, a study was 

conducted to assess the antioxidant activity of this 

extract in vitro. 

There are several methods for determining antioxidant 

activity. One such method is based on the observation 

that adrenaline can inhibit auto oxidation reactions in 

vitro, thereby preventing the formation of reactive 

oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant activity of the 

examined extract is measured by the percentage of 

active oxygen species formed and the autoxidation of 

adrenaline (AA%). 

Here, Optical density of adrenaline hydrochloride 

solution added to D1-buffer; Optical density of aqueous 

extract and adrenaline hydrochloride added to D2-

buffer. 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 43 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

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Figure 2. Antioxidant activity of corn silkaqueous extract 

 

Antioxidant activity was determined by phytochemical 

tests of corn silk aqueous extract and evaluated using 

several methods. The aqueous extract was found to be 

19.44% at 200 mg/ml. 

CONCLUSION 

When assessing the content of flavonoids and β-

carotenoids in corn silk using a spectrophotometric 

method, it was determined that 100 grams of the 

product contains 0.28 mg of β-carotenoids and a total 

flavonoid content of 0.3161 grams.  

The antioxidant activity of the corn silk aqueous 

extract was evaluated through various phytochemical 

assays. Results showed that the extract inhibited the 

active form of oxygen by 19.44% at a concentration of 

200 mg/ml. 

REFERENCES 

1. Е.Б. Никифорова, Н.М. Бат, Н.А. Давитавян 

Современное состояние исследований в 

области химического состава и 

фармакологического действия кукурузы 

столбиков с рыльцами Фармация и 

фармакология Том 10, Выпуск 1, 2022 DOI: 

10.19163/2307-9266-2022-10-1-4-18.  

2. И.Р.Асқаров., Ю.Т.Исаев., С.А.Рустамов., 

М.А.Ғуломова Маккажўри попуги (Zea mays l) 

таркибидаги β- каротиноид миқдорини аниқлаш 

Bioorganik kimyo fani muammolari. x Respublika 

yosh kimyogarlar konferensiyasi materiallari. 

Namangan, 2022, 1-qism, 106 b. 

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Volume 04 Issue 10-2024 44 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation    
(ISSN – 2771-2753) 
VOLUME 04 ISSUE 10 PAGES: 36-44 

OCLC – 1121105677     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Мазнев Н.И. Энциклопедия лекарственных 

растений. 3-е изд., испр. и доп. - М.: Мартин, 

2004. - с. 242-245. 

4. И.Р.Асқаров., Ю.Т.Исаев., С.А.Рустамов., 

М.А.Ғуломова. Маккажўхори попугини халқ 

табобатида қўлланилиш истиқболлари. 

Spectrum Journal of Innovation, Reforms and 

Development, July-2022. V. 05. P.75-77. 

5. Госурарсвенная фармакопея РФ. XIV изд. М., 

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6. Рустамов С.А., Исаев Ю.Т., Муслимова И.М., 

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Farmatsevtika Jurnali № 1. 2022 б. 39-44 

7. Государственная фармакопея Российской 

Федерации XIV изд. М., 2018.Т. 4 С. 6622-6633. 

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соединений ГОСТР 55312— 2012 

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Пономарева Н.И., Илюшина Т.Н. Новый подход в 

оценке антиоксидантной активности 

растительного сырья при исследовании 

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