Arsenic-induced Multi-organ Toxicity and Oxidative Stress: Protective and Pro-oxidant Effects of Corn Silk Extract in Rats

Abstract

Arsenic exposure is associated with oxidative stress and injury to metabolically active organs, including the liver, kidney and pancreas. This study evaluated the modulatory effects of ethanolic corn silk extract on arsenic-induced biochemical, oxidative and histological alterations in adult male Wistar rats. The oral LD₅₀ of arsenic acid was 316.23 mg/kg BW, while that of the ethanolic extract of corn silk exceeded 5000 mg/kg BW. Following toxicity testing, twenty rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 4): control, corn silk extract (300 mg/kg BW), arsenic acid (100 mg/kg BW), low-dose corn silk plus arsenic acid (150 + 100 mg/kg BW) and high-dose corn silk plus arsenic acid (300 + 100 mg/kg BW). Treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Blood glucose, serum insulin, hepatic and renal biomarkers, oxidative stress indices, and histological changes in the liver, kidney and pancreas were assessed. Arsenic exposure increased fasting blood glucose and produced significant elevations in selected liver and kidney injury markers, together with increased malondialdehyde and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities. Histological examination showed arsenic-associated hepatic, renal and pancreatic tissue alterations, including inflammatory and degenerative changes. Co-administration of corn silk extract, particularly at 300 mg/kg, reduced blood glucose levels by 28.9% relative to the arsenic-only group at Day 28. Treatment also attenuated arsenic-induced biochemical and histological alterations and improved antioxidant status. Corn silk extract alone was associated with increased malondialdehyde and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting possible context-dependent pro-oxidant activity. Serum insulin levels did not differ significantly among groups, indicating that the observed glucose changes may not be primarily mediated by altered circulating insulin. Overall, the findings suggest that ethanolic corn silk extract may attenuate arsenic-induced multi-organ toxicity in rats, although further mechanistic, dose-response and phytochemical studies are required.