Protective effects of flavonoids from corn silk on oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise in mice

Abstract

The present study aims at exploring the effects of flavonoids from corn silk (FCS) on oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise in mice. Sixty mice were randomized into 3 groups: Low-dose FCS treatment group (LFG), high-dose FCS treatment group (HFG) and control group (CG). The mice were treated with FCS (100 and 400 mg/kg) or placebo (distilled water) by daily oral gavage for 28 days. After the last treatment, animals were submitted to treadmill for exhaustion and running time, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels were measured. The results suggested that FCS could elevate the exercise tolerance of mice, and provide protection against oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise in mice, by inhibiting lipid per-oxidation and increasing anti-oxidant enzymes levels.

Key words: Flavonoids from corn silk, oxidative stress, exhaustive exercise, mice