Celosia cristata L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control, along with network pharmacological analysis of its components and targets

Celosia cristata L. (C. cristata) is a widely used herb in China and has been used as a medicine for more than 1000 years. The herb has been clinically employed to treat various types of bleeding disorders including metrorrhagia, metrostaxis, and leukorrheal diseases, gastrointestinal infections. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of C. cristata, encompassing its botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and quality control. Additionally, it delves into the prevailing challenges and limitations with contemporary research concerning C. cristata, thus furnishing valuable insights for future investigations in this domain. Research data were gathered from authoritative sources including the Pharmacopoeia of China, the Flora of China, as well as various internet databases such as Web of Science, CAS CiFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, and CNKI, along with numerous ancient classics on Chinese herbal medicine. Clinical applications of C. cristata demonstrate its efficacy in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding, vaginitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Presently, seventy-seven compounds have been isolated, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids, with flavonoids and triterpenoids emerging as the primary bioactive constituents. Pharmacological studies reveal its diverse biological activities, such as haemostatic, antitrichomonal, antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Leveraging network pharmacology, researchers have embarked on preliminary inquiries into the interplay among chemical constituents, molecular targets and pathological conditions. C. cristata shows significant potential for use in hemostasis, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial treatments. Modern research has revealed its diverse chemical composition and pharmacological activities, making it highly valuable for further study. At the same time, it is necessary to find the characteristic components of C. cristata and establish better quality control standards to better explore its therapeutic potential.