Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CORN SILK (STIGMA MAYDIS) HERBAL SYRUP FOR THE SUPPORTIVE MANAGEMENT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Shweta Lokare*, Siddhi Mestry, Shriram Lad, Dhananjay Patil, Assistant Prof. Rahul Pawar, Dr. Manoj Kadam

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a major global clinical burden, primarily managed through synthetic antibiotics. However, escalating antimicrobial resistance and systemic adverse profiles necessitate the investigation of safe, effective, and patient-compliant herbal alternatives. This study aimed to formulate and comprehensively evaluate a stable oral herbal syrup containing a hydroalcoholic extract of Corn Silk (stigma maydis) for the supportive management of UTIs. Dried, authenticated stigma maydis styles and stigmas were subjected to hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol: water) via maceration. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard diagnostic chemical tests. An oral liquid syrup (UroSilk) was formulated utilizing active extract, a sucrose base, multi-component paraben preservation, and tartaric acid as a pH modifier. The formulation was standardized using organoleptic evaluation, pH tracking, specific gravity, density analysis, and Ostwald viscometer, alongside a short-term stability study. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of bioactive flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, carbohydrates, terpenoids, and steroids. The developed stigma maydis herbal syrup fulfills quality criteria, offering a promising, safe, and stable supportive therapeutic system to promote urinary flushing and alleviate UTI symptoms.

Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Corn Silk, Herbal Syrup, Phytochemical Screening, Hydroalcoholic Extraction, Flavonoids, Stability Study.