ISSN (Online) 2249-6084 (Print) 2250-1029

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and

Phytopharmacological Research (eIJPPR)
[Impact Factor 0.7826]

Review Article Journal Homepage: www.eijppr.com

Celosia cristata: Potent Pharmacotherapeutic Herb A Review

Surse SN*1, Shrivastava B2, Sharma P2, Gide PS3, Sana Attar1

1
METs Institute of Pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Nashik, Maharashtra 422003
2
Department of Phrmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan-
302017
3
Dr. L.H. Hiranandani College of Pharmacy ,Ulhasnagar,Thane, Maharashtra - 421003

*For Correspondence
Surse Sunita N.
METs College of Pharmacy,
Bhujbal Knowledge City,
Nashik ,Maharashtra.
E-Mail: sunitasurse@gmail.com
(M): 9923145575

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ABSTRACT
Celosia cristata [Celosia in Greek means burning] is a member of the genus Celosia, and is
commonly known as cockscomb, since the flower looks like the head on a rooster (cock). It is
called Chi Kuan in China. It belongs to the class Magnoliopsida, order Caryophyllales and
family Amaranthaceae. Number of plants from this family are known for their vibrant colored
inflorescence and thus as an ornamental plants. Besides developing landscape plenty
medicinal qualities are also known from the plant with promising activity. Ayurveda in India
and even Chinese herbal therapeutics mention the plant with potent medicament value.
Commonly this plant is called as Cockscomb and known for activities like in the treatment of
hematemesis, abnormal uterine bleeding, hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, leukorrhea,
chronic dysentery with persistent diarrhoea, redness of the eye and dizziness due to excessive
heat or fire in the liver; nebula with blurred vision. Ideal way to use the plant for therapy as
per the conventional method is the decoction of whole herb. For the research purpose extracts
by organic solvents of either flowers or leaves are used to determine the biological activity.
Several activities like Antioxidant, Antiviral, Anthelmintic actions are found to be
investigated. Cultivation of the plant is done though for flowering but also medicinal value is
also evaluated with different research screenings and pharmacological models. Seed
propagation technique is successfully followed to ensure the raising of plant in the nurseries
and fields too. Variety of plants on the basis of color of flowers is observed with dark red,
maroon and yellow.

KEYWORDS
Celosia, Cockscomb, Amaranthaceae, Celosia cristata.

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 1. INTRODUCTION
Celosia cristata, belongs to family Amaranthaceae and is commonly known as cockscomb. It
is also known as Red Cockscomb, Foxtail Amaranth, Crested Celosia and Fire-flame Bush.
The tight, velvety texture of the Cockscomb flowers look like brain tissue to some people.
The fluffy, light, airy texture of the plume types blow freely in a breeze and are planted more
often.1

1.1 Description
It is nonwoody plant, grows 5 to 2 feet in height. It is grown commonly in Africa, South
America, India and some parts of Asia.2 Leaves are alternate, simple and saggitate or arrow
shaped. Leaf shows entire margin, pinnate venation. These are 2-4 inches in length and
greenish purple or red in colour. Flowers are red in colour.1

1.2 Cultivation
Plant can grow in full sun with partial shade and requires acidic, sandy and loamy soil. It
prefers fertile, moist soil with lots of organic matter. Celosia grows 1-1.5 feet tall and is
spaced 10-12 inches apart. The heads may be larger if grows directly into the garden. In
indoor conditions it takes one week to germinate.2

1.3 Traditional Uses

It is used for the treatment of fatigue, atherosclerosis, leucorrhoea and osteoporosis.3 Its seeds
have been used for removing liver-heat improving eyesight, clearing wind-heat and as an
anti-inammatory agent, as recorded in Dian Nan's Herbal.4
The flowers are used as astringent for the treatment of bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding
and diarrhoea and to treat dysentery, seed decoction is used. 5 The leaves are used in Chinese
medicine to treat dysentery, menstrual bleeding, inflammation and worms. 6

1.4 History
The exact geographic origins of Celosia in the wild are unknown, although speculations
include the dry slopes of Africa and India as well as dry stony regions of both North and
South America. Wherever they first came from, they are grown in North America since the
18th century. Although reportedly used by Chinese herbalists to stop bleeding, treat diseases

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of the blood, and infections of the urinary tract, there are no references to its use in any
western herbals - modern or centuries old, European or Native American.
The name is derived from the Greek and translates to "burning," aptly describing the look of
Celosias - especially the yellow, red, and orange plumed varieties - which bear a resemblance
to licks of flames erupting from the stems. Before breeding resulted in larger blooms, the
crested Celosia, with its small, wavy, fanlike flowers, looked very much like roosters' red
combs - hence the popular common name of cockscomb.
In the Victorian language of flowers, Celosias signified humor, warmth, and silliness. Goes
to show how little humor they must have had in their lives. Yet, in their way, Victorians were
on the right track. Even today, if you watch as folks, especially children, walk by a planting
of Celosia, you will likely see a grin. Their quirky flowers do beg for attention. Touch the
flowers; they are amazingly soft. The cockscomb or cristata types feel like velvet on the sides
of the spike. Celosia plumosa are actually tens of smaller feathery-like spikes produced in a
Christmas tree-like arrangement. These feather-like plumes are almost indestructible. They
remain the same shape and texture even during severe storms. Stand in the rain and Celosia
plumosa look exactly the same as they do shining in the sunlight.

1.5 Nomenclature
Celosias belong to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Look at the plumed varieties and the
resemblance to Josephs coat amaranth is apparent. There are about 60 species of annual or
perennial Celosia. The three common forms of Celosia belong to only two different species,
Celosia argentea (aka cristata L.) and Celosia spicata.

1.6 Classification
Celosia argentea is comprised of two groups. Plumed Celosia belongs to the Plumosa group,
which bears fluffy, feathery heads composed of hundreds of tiny flowers. This group includes
many All-America Selections Winners: Fresh Look Red and its sister Fresh Look Yellow
(2004; both bear brilliant ten-inch-high feathers on 12- to 16-inch plants, producing new
blooms around the old ones all summer - without deadheading), Apricot Brandy (1981;
apricot-orange plumes; 20-inch plant). New Look won an AAS Award in 1988 due to the
unique dark bronze foliage.
To many, the Cristata group, best known today as crested Celosia or cockscomb, is
suggestive of a highly colored brain - no gray matter there, just brilliant hues. Some varieties
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are wider than others; the narrow ones definitely are reminiscent of a roosters comb. The
"crenellations" of Bombay mix (3 to 4 feet tall with 18-inch flower heads in 5 colors: purple,
deep red, wine red, gold, and yellow gold) are very narrow and look like folds of elegant
French ribbon - darker on the outside, lighter colored inside.
C. spicata, spiked cockscomb, is also known as wheat Celosia for its narrow, spiky flower
heads, reminiscent of heads of wheat. Unlike C. argentea, spiked cockscombs produce
numerous flowers, with an almost shrubby look, in more muted colors. 'Flamingo Feather' is
3 to 4 feet tall with graceful spikes of rosy pink flowers and Glowing Spears Mix makes a
colorful deep wine, pink, and white 24- to 30-inch high hedge. Twelve-inch tall Kosmo
Purple Red bears numerous narrow wine-red heads (that start out feathery and mature to
fanlike cockscombs) beautifully set off by the handsome foliage - bright green, washed with
purple.7

2. PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Celosia cristata mainly contains flavonoids. It contains Cochliophilin A (5-hydroxy-6,7-
methylenedioxyflavone and a isoflavone, cristatein (5-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-7,2-
dimethoxyisoflavone.
Plant leaves contains two glycoproteins CCP-25 and CCP-27 at the flowering stage.8
Pure Celosianins i. e. amaranthine type of betacyanins like Celosianin I, Celosianin II and
their C-15 epimers are isolated from Celosia cristata inflorescence.9
Plant seeds contain 4-hydroxy phenethylalcohol, kaempferol, quercetin, -sitosteol, 2-
hydroxy octadecenoic acid, stigmasterol, saponins such as cristatin, celosin A, celosin B,
celosin C and celosin D.10
M. Begam et al. isolated antiviral protein CCP-27 from leaves of Celosia cristata. He used
ammonium sulphate fractionation method for isolation purpose. Protein was further purified
by Gel filtration chromatography.11

3. PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION
Both plants are used interchangeably in Chinese Medicine with a few exceptions which are
noted. In Chinese medicine few herbs are ever used alone. They are usually combined with
other herbs to assist, to counterbalance, or to taste. Celosia is often combined with
Chrysanthemum flowers (C. morifolium or C. indicum).

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In Chinese medicine the seeds are considered demulcent, antipyretic, alterative, astringent,
opthalmic, vulnerary; affect the liver.
The whole plant has been used for dysentery, coughs, spitting up blood, excessive
menstruation, amenorrhea, intestinal bleeding, bleeding from the lungs, female disorders,
hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, blood diseases, mouth sores, retinal hemorrhage,
conjuntivitis, eye diseases, eye and liver problems (C. argentea), and to lower blood pressure
(C. cristata).
The Seeds have been used for blurred vision, eye inflammation, eyes bothered by bright
light, headache, intestinal worms, painful urination, cough, dysentery, bleeding and diarrhoea
(C. argentea).
The Leaf stalks have been used as a poultice for sores, wounds, boils, swellings.
The flowers of C. argentea have been used for spitting up blood, atypical uterine bleeding,
and dysentary. Flower tops have been used for amenorrhea, dysentery, spitting up blood,
hemorrhoids, leukorrhea, and atypical uterine bleeding. The seeds of C. argentea have been
used as a poultice on broken bones. Leaves and flowers have been used for diarrhoea and
dysmenorrhea, claimed to be an aphrodisiac in Asian cultures. 12
Hepatoprotective activity: Cristatain isolated from ethanolic extract of seeds of Celosia
cristata was investigated for hepatoprotective activity. Hepatotoxicity was induced by using
chemical factors as CCL4 and DMF. Oral administration of Cristatain inhibited CCl4 and
DMF-induced elevation of serum transaminase activities in a dose dependent manner,
showing hepatoprotective activity and it was also confirmed by histopathological hepatic
lesions.3
Antiaging and antioxidant activity: the In-Vitro activity of ethanol extract of Celosia cristata
was evaluated by using DPPH assay. Silica induced generation of intracellular superoxide
anion and hydrogen peroxide was shown to be inhibited by ethanol extract of Celosia
cristata. It also showed antiaging effect evaluated by inhibition of hyaluronidase activity and
elastase activity.13
Antiviral protein and antioxidant activity: Proteins CCP-25 and CCp-27 isolated from
Celosia cristata leaves studied for correlation between its antiviral and antioxidant activity.
Antiviral proteins showed strong antioxidant activity through increase in activities of redox
enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase and polyphenyl oxidase. It was evaluated using ferric
reducing antioxidant power assay.14

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Betalains and antioxidant activity: Different betalains from Amaranthaceae family was shown
strong antioxidant activity when evaluated using DPPH assay. Their activities were discussed
in relation to their structure. Thus natural colorants from Amaranthaceae family can also be
used as natural antioxidant.9
Anthelmintic activity: Aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts of Celosia cristata
leaves were investigated for anthelmintic activity. Adult worms of Pheretima posthuma were
used as it shows resemblance with intestinal roundworm parasites anatomically and
physiologically. Chloroform extract showed no significant activity. Observations of time for
paralysis and time for death were used to assess significant anthelmintic activity. Aqueous
extract showed more significant activity than methanolic extract. 15
Impact on adipogenesis: Impact of extract of Celosia cristata flowering top on adipogenic
potential of native human adipose tissue progenitor cells was evaluated. It was revealed that
extract has capacity to decrease lipid content of progenitor cells undergoing differentiation.
Adipogenesis was studied at the level expression of genes which are involved in
adipogenesis. Promising results were found and can be used for the treatment of obesity. 16
Ideal Antiviral properties of a protein produced out of the extraction of post flowering stage
leaves of Celosia cristata spp was found. The isolated protein was CCP-27 and was found to
have such an activity by having Deoxyribonuclease and Ribonuclease action against
supercoiled pBlueScript SK+ plasmid DNA and Torula yeast rRNA respectively.11
Cochliophilin A (5-hydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone, 1), known as a host-specific
attractant towards the zoospores of Aphanomyces cochlioides, a cause of root rot and
damping-off diseases of Chenopodiaceae, was found in the Amaranthaceae plant, Celosia
cristata, that is susceptible to the pathogen. The content of 1 in Celosia seedlings was
quantified as 1.4 g/g fresh weight. A new isoflavone, cristatein (5-hydroxy-6-
hydroxymethyl-7,2-dimethoxyisoflavone, 2), and five known flavonoids were also
identified.17
The annual herb is known to have promising activities since the age old ayurvedic practices
like Diuretic, antidysentric, refrigerant, use in blood disorders and a potent role in treating the
patients with Kapha disorders. 18
19
The chemical constituents of this plant include mainly flavonoids. Recent researches has
also claimed the presence of antioxidant compounds and evaluated antioxidant activities of
the methanolic extracts and solvent fractions from cockscome flowers. The DPPH and ABTS
radical scavenging activities of the methanolic extracts on the cockscome flowers were 52.43
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and 107.01mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity per g extract residue, respectively. The
results of this study show that notable antioxidant activities in cockscome flowers are
considered to have significant health benefits. 20

4. CONCLUSION
The ayurvedic and the synthetic science of medication agree the vitality of number of
activities present in the plant of Celosia cristata and the genus as such. Number of research
have depicted the activities in a very precise manner and found to be very target oriented for
the action specified thereunder. The impact of the review is highly positive and it shall make
possible to analyse the plant in various facets to propagate the research and
pharmacotherapeutic potential of the said plant. The plant being angiosperm has a beautiful
inflorescence and found to be of commercial importance for the development of landscapes
in various western countries as well. Such specie with aesthetic and medicinal use is
definitely to be evaluated more in detail so a medicated formulation can also be devised out
of it.

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