Unveiling the therapeutic potential of corn silk against hypertension: A critical review

Hypertension as a "silent killer" is the major cause of mortality among other non-communicable diseases. The increased demand for treating hypertension via natural resources other than drug therapy is due to the presence of antihypertensive properties shown by plant derivatives and their minimal side effects. Corn silk possesses several therapeutic properties like curing hypertension, enuresis, kidney stones, skin pigmentation, and obesity. The current aim of this review is to focus on the mechanism of action of corn silk in reducing hypertension with the presence of biological components namely, potassium, bioactive peptides like CSBp5 (corn silk bioactive peptide), and flavonoids like maysin and quercetin. The main mechanism involved in the antihypertensive property of corn silk is the inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) present in the body.