Anti-obesity effects of Celosia cristata flower extract in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The overstoring of surplus calories in mature adipocytes causes obesity and abnormal metabolic activity. The anti-obesity effect of a Celosia cristata (CC) total flower extract was assessed in vitro, using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and mouse adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), and in vivo, using high-fat diet (HFD)-treated C57BL/6 male mice. METHODS: CC extract was co-incubated during adipogenesis in both 3T3-L1 cells and ADSCs. After differentiation, lipid droplets were assessed by oil red O staining, adipogenesis and lipolytic factors were evaluated, and intracellular triglyceride and glycerol concentrations were analyzed. For in vivo experiments, histomorphological analysis, mRNA expression levels of adipogenic and lipolytic factors in adipose tissue, blood plasma analysis, metabolic profiles were investigated. RESULTS: CC treatment significantly prevented adipocyte differentiation and lipid droplet accumulation, reducing adipogenesis-related factors and increasing lipolysis-related factors. Consequently, the intracellular triacylglycerol content was diminished, whereas the glycerol concentration in the cell supernatant increased. Mice fed an HFD supplemented with the CC extract exhibited decreased HFD-induced weight gain with metabolic abnormalities such as intrahepatic lipid accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy. Improved glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity were observed, accompanied by the amelioration of metabolic disturbances, including alterations in liver enzymes and lipid profiles, in CC-treated mice. Moreover, the CC extract helped restore the disrupted energy metabolism induced by the HFD, based on a metabolic animal monitoring system. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CC total flower extract is a potential natural herbal supplement for the prevention and management of obesity.

Precise identification of Celosia argentea seed and its five adulterants by multiple morphological and chemical means.

Celosia argentea seed (CAS) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of liver damage and eye diseases. CAS is easily falsely harvested and misused, five species from Amaranthaceae family have frequently found to be involved in the adulteration and misapplication, namely Celosia cristata seed (CCS), Amaranthus tricolor seed (ATS), Amaranthus retroflexus seed (ARS), Amaranthus cruentus seed (ACS), and Amaranthus spinosus seed (ASS). For the purpose of identification, multiple morphological means including stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, normal light and polarized light microscopy were comprehensively employed. As a result, micromorphological and microscopic characteristics were extracted and a diagnostic key to CAS and its five adulterants was proposed for the first time. With respect to the genetically closely related species, viz. CAS and CCS, chemical means were developed to achieve the goal of precise identification. Firstly, triterpenoid saponins in CAS and CCS were fully characterized by an HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS method, a total of 20 triterpenoid saponins including 9 novel members were identified. Secondly, the HPLC-ELSD specific chromatogram was established, in which 12 common peaks were assigned. Finally, after a careful comparison, the peak area ratio of two triterpenoid saponins was discovered as interspecies discriminant marker. In conclusion, CAS and its five adulterants can be precisely identified by multiple morphological and chemical means.

Preparation, characterization and application of smart packaging films based on locust bean gum/polyvinyl alcohol blend and betacyanins from cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) flower.

Cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) is an edible and ornamental plant rich in natural pigments of betacyanins. In this study, smart packaging films were developed based on locust bean gum (LBG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and betacyanins from cockscomb flower. Effect of cockscomb flower extract content (4 wt%, 8 wt% and 12 wt%) on the structural, physical and functional properties of LBG/PVA blend films was investigated. The addition of cockscomb flower extract elevated the immiscibility between LBG and PVA. Cockscomb flower extract interacted with LBG and PVA through hydrogen bonds, resulting in reduced film crystallinity. The film containing 8 wt% of cockscomb flower extract showed the lowest water vapor permeability (10.34 × 10-11 g m-1 s-1 Pa-1) and the highest tensile strength (23.63 MPa). The film containing 12 wt% cockscomb flower extract exhibited the lowest light transmittance and the highest elongation at break (41.12%) and antioxidant activity. Cockscomb flower extract made the films become reddish-purple and endowed the films with pH-sensitivity and ammonia-sensitivity. The films containing cockscomb flower extract showed obvious color changes from reddish-purple to brown/yellow when shrimp spoiled. Our results suggested LBG/PVA blend films with cockscomb flower extract were suitable smart packaging films for indicating shrimp freshness.

Immunostimulatory Activity of Polysaccharides Extracted from Celosia cristata Flowers.

Macrophages play a major role in innate immune responses by producing a variety of immune mediators and cytokines. The stimulation of macrophages by natural products may lead to an enhanced innate immune system. This study evaluated the immunostimulatory effects of a polysaccharide-rich crude fraction of Celosia cristata L. flowers (CCP) on murine macrophages. CCP treatment induced the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and cytokines by macrophages. Mechanistically, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, NF-κB and toll-like receptor 4 were found to be associated with the stimulatory functions of CCP. CCP was found to be primarily composed of galacturonic acid and glucose in addition to small amounts of arabinose and galactose. This study demonstrated that CCP may enhance the innate immune responses and potentially improve the immune functions in the body.

Chemical compounds with a neuroprotective effect from the seeds of Celosia argentea L.

Oxidative stress plays a central role in the common pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidant therapy has been suggested for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Compounds derived from natural sources may offer the potential for new treatment options. Semen Celosiae is a traditional Chinese edible herbal medicine with a long history in China and exhibits wide-reaching biological activities such as hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, etc. In this study, nine saponins and two phenylacetonitrile glycosides were isolated from Semen Celosiae and their structures were identified using ESI-MS and NMR techniques. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 have not been previously reported. The total concentrations of the five triterpenoid saponins and the two phenylacetonitrile glycosides were 3.348 mg g-1 and 0.187 mg g-1, respectively, suggesting that Semen Celosiae is a novel viable source of the two kinds of compounds. These compounds were observed to significantly attenuate t-BHP-induced neuronal damage by effectively enhancing cell viability and decreasing reactive oxygen species generation and cell apoptosis rate in NSC-34 cells. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 7 reduced the ratios of cleaved caspase-3: caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-7: caspase-7 and the level of cytochrome C, while they increased the levels of SOD1 and Beclin 1. These findings suggest that compounds 1-11 are potent inhibitors of neuron injury elicited by t-BHP, possibly via inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and activation of autophagy; therefore they may be valuable leads for future therapeutic development.

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic evaluation of extracts from the flowering stage of Celosia argentea.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at investigating the possible anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of extracts from the flowering stage of C. argentea. This growth stage was chosen because of its high polyphenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous, acetone and methanol extracts of C. argentea was evaluated through the inhibition of nitric oxide production (LPS-induced) on stimulated macrophages (RAW 264.7), while MTT assay was used to assess cell viability with Silymarin as standard. Cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was evaluated on murine preadipocyte cell line (3 T3-L1) using the image-based method of two DNA-binding dyes; Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (PI) with melphalan as standard. RESULTS: Acetone extract exhibited moderate, dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity with no significant toxicity to activated macrophages, however the aqueous and methanol extracts were unable to inhibit nitric oxide production at both trials. MTT assay and the toxicity assay revealed that the flowering stage extracts of C. argentea were not toxic to the RAW 264.7 macrophages and 3 T3-L1 cells at all the tested concentrations (0, 2, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These findings corroborate the traditional use of C. argentea for painful inflammatory conditions and encourage its possible use as lead for the development of novel, non-toxic, anti-inflammatory agents.

[Chemical constituent analysis for seeds of Celosia argentea by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS].

This Paper aimed to analyze and identify the chemical constituents from the seeds of Celosia argentea by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS. The analysis was performed on an ACQUITY HSS T3 reverse phase column(2.1 mm ×100 mm, 1.8 µm). The mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid was used for gradient elution, and the flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1). Mass spectrometry was applied for the qualitative analysis under positive and negative ionization modes and ESI ion source. Data was analyzed by Masslynx 4.1 software, literatures in SciFinder database, and standards. A total of 49 compounds, including 14 triterpenoids, 17 flavonoids, 11 cyclic peptides, 2 phenols, 2 organic acids, and 3 steroids were putatively identified. Among them, 19 compounds were firstly reported from this species. In-depth chemical constituent analysis for the seeds of C. argentea were accomplished here, and the findings could lay a good foundation for its quality control and clarifying the material basis of its efficacy.

Anti-neuroinflammatory effect of Iresine celosia on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells and mouse.

Abnormal inflammatory response in the central nervous system plays a critical role in various neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Therefore, modulation of abnormal neuroinflammation is thought to be a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Based on this idea, we focused on finding a potential candidate material that would regulate excessive neuroinflammation. Iresine celosia has long been used as a traditional Mexican medicine to treat fever and oral disorders. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Iresine celosia extract (ICE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells and mice models. In BV2 microglia cells, ICE markedly inhibited production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6 without causing cytotoxicity. ICE also ameliorated translocation of nuclear factor-κB from cytosol to nucleus by LPS. Moreover, ICE attenuated behavioral disturbances by inhibiting activation of microglia and astrocytes in LPS-treated mice. Collectively, these data indicate that ICE is a potential therapeutic agent for treating inflammation-related diseases.

Elemental distribution in the edible leaves of Celosia trigyna from the western and northern regions of Nigeria.

Celosia trigyna, which belongs to the plant family Amaranthaceae, is a plant used in traditional medicine to treat several conditions such as sores, chest pains, diarrhoea and menstrual cramps in many countries in Africa. It is also consumed by the local people in Nigeria as soups, sauces and stews. In this study, the distribution and bioaccumulation of the elements in C. trigyna species and growth soil from the western and northern regions of Nigeria was investigated to determine the effects of geographical location on the uptake of elements by the plant. Elemental concentrations in the leaves from the western region were found to be in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Ni. Concentrations of elements in the leaves from the northern region were found to be in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > As > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd. Proximate analysis of leaves from both regions compared well with the recommended dietary allowance making the leaves safe for human consumption. Principal component analysis was used to group elements having the same sources irrespective of their geographical locations. Cd, Co and Cr were not detected in the leaves from the western region. Concentrations of As and Pb were above maximum permissible limits in both regions, while Ayegunle and Bida (in the northern region) had the highest concentrations of Cd. The high level of these toxic metals may be attributed to anthropogenic activities. It is therefore important that the Nigerian agricultural extension system emphasizes the dangers of heavy metal contamination in leafy vegetables to farmers. Activities of the manufacturing industries in the study area should be adequately monitored under standard environmental protection laws.

Celosia argentea L. (Amaranthaceae) a vasodilator species from the Brazilian Cerrado - An ethnopharmacological report.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Celosia argentea L. (Amaranthaceae), popularly known as "crista de galo", is used in folk medicine due to its diuretic and hypotensive effects. However, there are no reports in the literature regarding its pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system as well as no data proving the safety of this species. AIM: To perform a detailed ethnopharmacological investigation of the ethanol soluble fraction from C. argentea (ESCA) using male and female Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Firstly, a morpho-anatomical characterization was performed to determine the quality control parameters for the identification of the species under investigation. Then, the ethanol extract was obtained and chemically characterized by LC-DAD-MS. Furthermore, an oral acute toxicity study was performed in female Wistar rats. Finally, the possible diuretic and hypotensive effects of three different doses of ESCA (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated in male Wistar rats. Besides, the vasodilatory response of ESCA in mesenteric vascular beds (MVBs) and its involvement with nitric oxide/cGMP and prostaglandin/cAMP pathways as well as potassium channels were evaluated. RESULTS: The main secondary metabolites present in ESCA were phenolic compounds, megastigmanes and triterpenoid saponins. ESCA caused no toxic effects in female rats nor increased urinary excretion in male rats after acute administration. However, ESCA significantly increased the renal elimination of potassium and chloride, especially at the end of 24 h after administration. Intermediary dose (100 mg/kg) of ESCA was able to promote significant acute hypotension and bradycardia. Moreover, its cardiovascular effects appear to be involved with the voltage-dependent K+ channels activation in MVBs. CONCLUSION: This study has brought new scientific evidence of preclinical efficacy of C. argentea as a hypotensive agent in normotensive rats. Apparently, these effects are involved with the activation of the voltage-sensitive K+ channels contributing to the reduction of peripheral vascular resistance and cardiac output.

Study on Betalains in Celosia cristata Linn. Callus Culture and Identification of New Malonylated Amaranthins.

Betacyanins and betaxanthins were characterized and determined in an intensely pigmented red-colored callus culture of Celosia cristata L. (Amaranthaceae). A new malonyl derivative, 6'- O-malonyl-amaranthin (celoscristatin) was isolated and identified by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques. Its stereoisomer, 4'- O-malonyl-amaranthin (celoscristatin acyl-migrated), as well as its 15 R diastereomer were also detected in the callus as a result of the malonyl group migration in celoscristatin/isoceloscristatin, respectively. Amaranthin occurs in the callus as the major betacyanin, followed by celoscristatin, betanin, phyllocactin, and other minor betacyanins. The effect of different carbon sources on the growth rates of the Celosia callus as well as on betalains profiles in the callus cultures was studied. High dopamine content in the callus culture was determined and compared with the content in C. cristata inflorescences. The dopamine-based betalain (miraxanthin V) was detected as the main betaxanthin in the callus, however, at a concentration level much lower than that of the identified betacyanins. The studied callus culture of C. cristata can accumulate betalains in amounts which approach the quantities produced by most known high-yielding plant species.

A pair of cyclopeptide epimers from the seeds of Celosia argentea.

Two cyclopeptides, celogentin L (1) and its epimer lyciumin A (2) were firstly isolated from Celosia argentea L.. The planar structures of the two compounds were fully determined by spectroscopic data, including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI/MS. The absolute configurations of amino acid components were assigned via chiral-phase HPLC analyses after acid hydrolysis. Furthermore, the configuration of C-N linkage at the glycine Cα was elucidated by extensive analyses of 2D-NMR and comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Cytotoxicity of the two compounds against human alveolar epithelial A549, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, and cervical cancer Hela cell lines was assayed. Although both of them were inactive in these cells, the present findings add new facets for the chemistry of Celosia argentea.

Celosins inhibit atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice and promote autophagy flow.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Semen celosiae is a traditional Chinese medicine for purging hepatic pathogenic fire and removing nebula to improve eyesight, treating hepatopyretic vertigo and hypertension. It possesses a serial of potential bioactivities such as hepatoprotection, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes. The triterpenoid saponins celosins from it were proved to have hepatoprotection, lipid lowing and anti-inflammatory. However, the anti-atherosclerosis activities were not reported to date. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was designed to examine the therapeutic effects of celosins (CES), the active constituents extracted from Semen celosiae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atherosclerosis model by feeding high fat diet for 12 weeks in ApoE-/- mice and foam cell model by ox-LDL-treated peritoneal macrophages were performed. The lipid plaque was measured by histopathological analysis. The LC3 dots in the aortic root lesion examined through tissue immunofluorescence. The peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis, formation of foam cells, genes associated protein expression and autophagy flux were measured on foam cell model by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) stimulating peritoneal macrophages. The mRNA expression of CD36, SR-A1, ABCA1 and ABCG1 were determined by Real-Time PCR method. The expressions of LC3 and beclin 1 were measured using Western blot. RESULTS: CES (10, 30, 90mg/kg; p.o.) administrated for 4 weeks significantly reduced the prevalence of the relative area of plaque in mouse aorta, and showed the therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis. In the tissue section of immunofluorescence for aortic root, compared with high fat diet model group, the number of autophagy bodies in CES group increased significantly, suggesting that inhibiting atherosclerosis effect of CES may be related to its promoting autophagy. In vitro, CES significantly reduced phagocytosis of macrophages on lipid and formation rate of foam cells. CES down-regulated the mRNA expression of CD36 and SR-A1 while up-regulated mRNA expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1. Further, CES increased the autophagy specific protein LC3 and beclin 1, and it also increased the level of autophagy in the cells, and promoted the process of autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic effect of CES on atherosclerosis may be related to the promotion of autophagy.

Studies on polar high-speed counter-current chromatographic systems in separation of amaranthine-type betacyanins from Celosia species.

Betacyanins, natural plant pigments exhibiting antioxidant and chemopreventive properties, were extracted from Celosia spicata (Thouars) Spreng. inflorescences and separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) in two polar solvent systems composed of: TBME - 1-BuOH - ACN - H2O (0.7% HFBA, 2:2:1:5, v/v/v/v) (system I) and EtOH - ACN - 1-PrOH - (NH4)2SO4satd.soln - H2O (0.5:0.5:0.5:1.2:1, v/v/v/v/v) (system II). The systems were used in the head-to-tail (system I) and tail-to-head (system II) mode. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 2.0 ml/min and the column rotation speed was 860 rpm. The retention of the stationary phase was 73.5% (system I) and 80.0% (system II). For the identification of separated betacyanins in the crude extract as well as in the HSCCC fractions, LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analyses were performed. Depending on the target compounds, each of the systems exhibit meaningfully different selectivity and applicability. For the pairs of amaranthines (1/1') and betanins (2/2'), the best choice is the system II, but the acylated amaranthine pairs (3/3' and 4/4') can be resolved only in the ion-pair system I. For the indication of the most suitable solvent system for Celosia plumosa hort., Celosia cristata L. and Celosia spicata (Thouars) Spreng. species, the profiles of betacyanins in different plant parts were studied.

Three new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins from the seeds of Celosia cristata L.

Phytochemical investigation of the 1-butanol soluble fraction of 60% ethanol extract of the seeds of Celosia cristata L. led to the identification of three new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins. Using 1D and 2D NMR experiment methods, ESI-MS analysis and acid hydrolysis, their structures were identified as 3-O-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-2ß-hydroxy-oleanolic acid-28-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3-O-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-2ß, 23-dihydroxy-oleanolic acid-28-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 3-O-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-hydroxyl-medicagenic acid-28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyide (3), respectively.

Antiviral effects of extracts from Celosia cristata and Raphanus sativus roots against viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus.

The antiviral activity of an extract mixture from Celosia cristata and Raphanus sativus was tested against viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV). Pretreatment of EPC cells with this extract up to 72 h before VHSV infection markedly reduced the virus titer, but it had no effect when added after virus inoculation. In olive flounder that received 5 µg of extract per fish, Mx expression peaked at 48 h after treatment. In contrast, ISG15 and TLR2 expression peaked at 72 h, and that of TLR7 peaked at 48 h, followed by a slight decrease at 72 h, indicating that the antiviral activity was mediated by induction of gene expression involved in the innate immune response.

Cytotoxic coumaronochromones from the inflorescences of Celosia cristata.

Investigation on the MeOH extracts of the inflorescences of Celosia cristata led to the isolation of two new coumaronochromones, cristatone I (1) and cristatone II (2), along with three known flavones (3-5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1-5 were tested for their cytotoxic activity against HeLa and BGC-823 cancer cell lines, of which cristatone II (2) showed interesting activity with the IC50 value of 23.82 µM.

Dereplication-guided isolation of novel hepatoprotective triterpenoid saponins from Celosiae Semen by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Although natural products (NPs) from ethnomedical plants have played a vital role in modern drug discovery, separation and purification of bioactive compounds from plant extract is still challenging. In this study, a dereplication strategy using HPLC-QTOF-MS was employed to rapidly discover and highly targeted isolate the novel hepatoprotective triterpenoid saponins from the methanol extract of Celosiae Semen. Firstly, four known saponins, i.e. celosin H, celosin I, celosin J, and pseudoginsenoside RT1 were selected as model compounds, and their fragmentation patterns in ESI-QTOF-MS/MS were characterized. Secondly, an HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS method was applied to chemically screen the saponins of interest, and thereby to guide the subsequent fraction and isolation procedure. Thirdly, the targeted isolation of desired compounds afforded two new triterpenoid saponins namely celosin K (1) and celosin L (2), which were structurally elucidated by combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Finally, the protective effects of compounds 1 and 2 against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells were evaluated. These results indicate that the HPLC-QTOF-MS-guided isolation is an efficient methodology for isolating new NPs from medicinal plants through improving selectivity in separation and purification process.

Antinociceptive effect of methanol extract of Celosia cristata Linn. in mice.

BACKGROUND: Celosia cristata Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of headache, sores, ulcers, eye inflammations, skin eruption, painful menstruation and carpal tunnel syndrome. This study was performed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of the whole plant of C. cristata (MECC). METHODS: The evaluation of the antinociceptive effect of MECC was performed using thermal (hot plate, tail immersion test) and chemical (acetic acid, formalin, and glutamate-induced nociception test) pain models in mice at four different doses (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg; p.o.). Involvement of opioid receptors mediated central antinociceptive mechanism of MECC was evaluated using naloxone. Furthermore, the association of ATP-sensitive K+ channel and cGMP pathway were evaluated using glibenclamide and methylene blue respectively. RESULTS: Oral treatment of MECC produced significant, strong and dose-dependent central and peripheral antinociceptive effect in experimental pain models. MECC significantly increased the latency time of thermal threshold in both hot plate and tail immersion test. The inhibition of writhing syndrome by the extract in the acetic acid-induced writhing test was remarkable. MECC significantly reduced the formalin-induced neurogenic and inflammatory pain. In addition, the inhibition of glutamate-induced paw licking and edema by MECC was significant. The antinociceptive effect was significantly reversed by naloxone and glibenclamide, suggesting the association of opioid and ATP-sensitive K+ channel system respectively. In addition, MECC also demonstrated the involvement of cGMP pathway in the antinociceptive action. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that C. cristata possess significant antinociceptive effect which is associated with both central and peripheral mechanisms and provides a rationale for its extensive use at different painful conditions in traditional medicine.

Purification, characterization and immunomodulatory activity of a polysaccharide from Celosia cristata.

A polysaccharide CP1-1 was isolated and purified from Celosia cristata. Its average molecular weight was 2.3kDa and it was composed of glucose and galactose in a ratio of 1.00:2.03, and traces of mannose. Chemical characterization of CP1-1 was elucidated by methylation analysis. CP1-1 was a branched glucogalactan which was mainly composed of 1,6-linked Galp and 1,6-linked Glcp with a ratio of 5.6:3.8. The branches were at the O-3 of the main chain and might be composed of single terminal (1→)-linked glucopyranose and galactopyranose. CP1-1 also significantly promoted the proliferation and neutral red phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in vitro. In addition, CP1-1 promoted cell proliferation by enhancing the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß. These results suggested that the polysaccharide from C. cristata could be used as a potential immunostimulator.