Annals of Phytomedicine (AP)

Antioxidants are chemical compounds which are used in preventing or delaying the oxidation process that may lead to many life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic Stigma maydis extract alone and in combination with Ebselen, a water-soluble vitamin E analogue, using various in vitro assays.The hydroethanolic S. maydis extract combined with Ebselen exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with scavenging inhibition observed as 44%, 62%, 67%, 75%, and 88% against DPPH; 36%, 54%, 71%, 76%, and 84% against ABTS; 35%, 54%, 71%, 79%, and 85% against catalase; 30%, 46%, 61%, 69%, and 80% for hydroxyl radicals; and 25%, 45%, 61%, 73%, and 82% for nitric oxide.In conclusion, hydroethanolic S. maydis extract combined with Ebselen showed strong antioxidant properties that may be used to treat various life-threatening diseases.