Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Celosia isertii

Celosia isertii, a small genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae, has been investigated for a number of properties, such as anti-diabetic activity, hepatoprotective property, anti-diarrheal property and lots more.

Aims: This study investigates the phytochemical compostion, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant.

Methodology: Aqueous and ethanol extract of Celosia isertii was prepared and used for the experiment

Results: Phytochemical studies carried out on aqueous and ethanol extract of Celosia isertii leaves showed the presence of alkaloid, saponin, phenol, tannin, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, steroid, phytosterol, triterpenoid and phlobatannin. The anti-inflammatory study carried out on the albino rats that had their paw injected with carrageenan injection to induce edema, showed that at 250 mg/kg plant extract, the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract was slightly less compared to diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg), a known anti-inflammatory drug. While the analgesic study done on mice in which acetic acid was injected to induce pain, showed that at 250mg/kg of plant extract, the analgesic effect of diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg), was greater than the aqueous extract, but less than the ethanol extract.

Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that Celosia isertii has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and therefore can be useful in painful inflammatory conditions.