corn silk polysaccharides

Corn silk polysaccharides are heteropolysaccharide compounds isolated from the stigma of Zea mays (corn silk). They are characterized by complex molecular structures (for example, PCS2: average molecular weight 45.5 kDa, composed of D-galactose, D-mannose, D-glucose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose). Experimental models indicate multiple mechanisms of action relevant to disease, notably anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-tumor effects. They reduce blood glucose and serum insulin, improve glucose intolerance and kidney glucose metabolism, and exhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity[1][3][5]. Corn silk polysaccharides can improve diabetic nephropathy by modulating gut microbiota, metabolic homeostasis, and reducing chronic inflammation[5]. Additional evidence supports protective activity against oxidative kidney damage and activity against tumors such as pancreatic cancer via blockade of EGFR/PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling[2][4]. They also exhibit anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects[3]. Corn silk polysaccharides are regarded as functional food or nutraceutical ingredients, and they are widely used in traditional and complementary medicine contexts for metabolic and renal diseases.

Other names

corn silk crude polysaccharideCSPsPCS1PCS-1PCS 1PCS2PCS-2PCS 2PCS3PCS-3PCS 3DCSPS1S-1S 1Se-DCSP