Corn silk extract ameliorates cisplatin-induced cardiac injury by restoring mitochondrial function and suppressing ferroptosis

Abstract

Zea mays L., a traditional edible botanical and abundant agricultural by-product, is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of corn silk extract (CSE) against cisplatin-induced cardiac injury and its underlying mechanisms. A cisplatin-induced murine model of myocardial injury and an in vitro H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury model were established. Cardiac function, oxidative stress, and cell death markers were evaluated, complemented by transcriptomic and molecular biology analyses. The results showed that CSE significantly improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial injury markers, and alleviated oxidative stress and apoptosis. Mechanistically, CSE restored oxidative phosphorylation function by upregulating NDUFB8, decreasing ROS accumulation, and inhibiting key ferroptosis pathways. Our findings demonstrate that CSE, a natural food-derived ingredient, alleviates cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity primarily by restoring mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) function, thereby reducing oxidative stress and ferroptosis. This study provides a novel mechanistic basis for the development of corn silk as a source of bioactive compounds for functional foods or dietary supplements aimed at supporting cardiovascular health.