Zea mays L.: Nature’s Pharmacy hidden in a cereal crop

Abstract

Zea mays L. (maize) is not only one of the world’s most extensively cultivated cereal crops but also a reservoir of pharmacologically active compounds with significant therapeutic potential. This review consolidates current knowledge on the diverse phytochemical constituents of maize—including polyphenols, phenolic acids (notably ferulic and p-coumaric acid), flavonoids, carotenoids, sterols, and tannins—distributed across its anatomical parts. Ferulic acid, a key secondary metabolite, biosynthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, exhibits broad-spectrum bioactivity including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. In addition, underexplored maize components such as corn silk, roots, bracts, and cobs demonstrate promising pharmacological actions including hepatoprotective, diuretic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Recent advances in extraction technologies and molecular modeling techniques (e.g., docking, network pharmacology) have enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying these activities. By systematically evaluating maize phytochemicals and their functional implications, this review provides a strategic framework for the future development of maize-derived nutraceuticals, phytopharmaceuticals, and functional food products, potentially transforming this staple crop into a globally relevant therapeutic agent.