Corn silk extract as a prebiotic exerts antihypertensive effects via gut microbiota modulation in hypertensive rats

Corn silk extract (CSE), a traditional medicinal food rich in
polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins, has been used as a natural
antihypertensive agent, but its mechanism remains unclear. This study
aimed to evaluate whether corn silk extract can lower blood pressure
through gut microbiota modulation. Spontaneously hypertensive rats
received oral corn silk extract for four weeks, followed by a four-week
drug-free observation. The treatment significantly reduced systolic blood
pressure, increased microbial diversity, decreased the
Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and enriched beneficial genera
such as Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. These changes were
accompanied by reduced serum LPS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, elevated
NO levels, and restored endothelial function. PERMANOVA and correlation
analyses showed that microbiota and inflammatory markers were more
strongly associated with blood pressure improvements than urinary indices.
Structural equation modeling suggested a potential mechanistic pathway
involving gut microbiota–inflammation–NO regulation. Importantly, fecal
microbiota transplantation (FMT) using post-treatment donor samples
reproduced the antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects, confirming
the microbiota’s critical mediating role. These findings provide the first
experimental evidence that corn silk extract functions as a prebiotic to
improve gut microbial balance and vascular health, offering a promising
natural strategy for microbiota-targeted blood pressure control.