In-vitro neuroprotective properties of the Maydis stigma extracts from four corn varieties

Neuroprotective effect of the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of the silks of four Zea mays L. varieties (var. intendata, var. indurata, var. everta and var. saccharata) was evaluated by acetylcholinesterase, butrylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitions and by antioxidant activity tests against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide as well as two iron-related antioxidant methods (iron-chelation capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power). Total phenol and flavonoid contents in the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically.