Investigating the Phytochemical Activity and Anti-Ebola Virus Properties of Corn Silk: In-Silico

Corn silk, a byproduct of maize cultivation (Zea Mays), is made up of thread-like stigma structures observed in the female flowers. It is often underutilized, serving as manure, agricultural waste, or animal feed. India produces 30 million tons annually. Rich in nutrients like fibers, proteins, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, corn silk also contains flavonoids (0.1% to 3%), exhibiting antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antifatigue properties. These components enhance its clinical and nutritional potential for diverse applications. Ebola virus (EBOV) remains a global health threat due to its high mortality rate and lack of widely available antiviral treatments. Natural products, particularly flavonoids from medicinal plants, have shown promising antiviral properties. This study investigates the potential of bioactive compounds found in corn silk (Zea mays) as inhibitors of Ebola virus proteins, using in-silico methods such as molecular docking. Investigating quercetin's antiviral properties through in-silico research shows potential for creating innovative therapeutic approaches because of the life-threatening Ebola virus, which remains a serious risk to public health. The Ebola virus remains a critical global health treat due to its high mortality rates and limited therapeutic options. In this study, an in silico approach was employed to evaluate the binding potential of Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoids which is found in Corn Silk, against a key Ebola virus protein using Schrödinger molecular modelling tools. The ligand was created and optimized using LigPrep, and the protein structure was refined using the Protein Preparation Wizard. Molecular docking was performed using Glide, revealing that Quercetin forms stable interactions with active site residues, including ARG247, THR249, SER246, supported by hydrophobic contacts with PHE248, ALA288, & TRP288. The docking results suggest a strong binding affinity and favourable positioning of Quercetin within the protein’s active site. These results indicate quercetin's potential as an effective antiviral treatment for the Ebola virus.