Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Ji Guan Hua (Flos Celosiae Argenteae)

Ji Guan Hua is also known as Celosia flower. The sweet and cool herb has been use in TCM to stops hemorrhoids bleeding, Menopausal bleeding, treat yeast infections with red
or white discharge, etc., as it cools Blood, stops bleeding, clear wind heat, liver fire, etc., by enhancing the function of liver channels.
Ingredients
1. β-sitosterol
2. Cholesterylpalmitatie
3. 3,4-dihydroxylbenzaldehyde
4. p-hydroxylbenzoic acid
5. n-butyl-β-D-frucose glycoside
6. Celosiaol
7. Niacin
8. Potassium nitrate
9. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Antioxidant activities
In the investigation of the aqueous extract of Celosia argentea var. cristata L. leaves at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) against cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats, found that the aqueous extract of C. argentea leaves attenuated Cd-induced oxidative stress in the animals, with the best result at 400 mg/kg b.w. The antioxidant activity of the extract may be attributed to the phenolic and flavonoid components of the extract. The induction of antioxidant enzymes and scavenging of free radicals may account for the mechanism of action of the extract as an antioxidant, according to “In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Celosia argentea leaves” by Malomo SO, Ore A, Yakubu MT.(1)
2. Anticomplement activity
In the investigation of the anticomplement activity from various solvent extracts of nine Amarantaceae plants (Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai, Amaranthus mangostanus L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Celosia argentea var. spicata., Amaranthus lividus L., Celosia cristata L., Amaranthus viridis L., Gomphrena globosa L.) from South Korea on the classical pathway, indicated that Achyranthes japonica chloroform extracts showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) value of 73.1μg/ml. This is the first report of anticomplement activity from Amarantaceae plants, according to “Anticomplement activity of organic solvent extracts from Korea local Amarantaceae spp” by Jung S, Lee JH, Lee YC, Moon HI.(2)
3. Hepatoprotective effect
In the investigation of a new saponin, cristatain (1), together with four other saponins, celosin A (2), celosin B (3), celosin C (4) and celosin D (5) isolated from the seeds of Celosia cristata L. (Amaranthaceae), found that the compound 1 exhibited significant hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))- and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice, according to “A novel hepatoprotective saponin from Celosia cristata L” by Wang Y, Lou Z, Wu QB, Guo ML.(3)
4. Allergic disorder
In the examination of the suppressed effect of prepared extracts of Celosia argentea L. (CAE) and Cucurbita moschata Duch (CME), against DNA IgE antibody production in mice, found that Anti-DNP IgE production was markedly suppressed, but IgG responses were not affected. It was also found that mitogenic activity occurred in CAE & CME dose dependently in vitro. These effects of CAE & CME were superior to that of PFE. These results suggest that CAE & CME may be more useful than PFE for the suppression of IgE antibody in certain allergic disorder, according to “[Effects of Celosia argentea and Cucurbita moschata extracts on anti-DNP IgE antibody production in mice].[Article in Japanese]“ by Imaoka K, Ushijima H, Inouye S, Takahashi T, Kojima Y.(4)
5. Etc.
Side effects
1. Do not use in case of kidney or liver deficiency
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without consulting first with the related field specialist
3. Etc.