In-vitro Antisickling Activity, Pharmacognostic Characterisation, and Proximate and Elemental Composition of the Aqueous Stem Extract of Celosia argentea L. (Amaranthaceae)

Abstract

Background: Celosia argentea L. is an edible and medicinal plant whose leaf antioxidant activity and the anatomy and chemical composition of its different organs have been studied. The in-vitro effect of an aqueous stem extract on erythrocyte sickling was investigated alongside descriptive pharmacognostic and compositional analyses. Methods: Plant specimens were authenticated at the IFE Herbarium, Obafemi Awolowo University (voucher IFH18418).  The aqueous stem extract was assessed at 2, 4 and 8 mg/mL in deoxygenation-induced inhibition and reversal assays using HbSS blood. Vanillic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid served as assay-specific comparison controls. Macroscopic and microscopic characters were studied and recorded using standard methods. Proximate composition and mineral concentrations in the prepared digest solutions were measured by standard laboratory methods. Results:The reported inhibition was 87.79%, 96.29% and 97.62%, whereas reversal was 76.42%, 90.93% and 92.97%, at 2, 4 and 8 mg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory comparison-control value was reported as 63.51%; reversal calculated from the displayed p-hydroxybenzoic acid measurements was 63.51%. Mean stem length was 23.2 ± 1.81 cm (n = 10). Leaves were amphistomatic, with anomocytic and anisocytic stomatal complexes and contrasting anticlinal-wall patterns on the two surfaces.The powdered stem contained 21.80% crude protein, 17.71% crude fibre and 18.03% ash. Sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium were detected in the digest solutions. Conclusion: The extract was associated with lower observed erythrocyte sickling in two descriptive in-vitro assays. Unspecified biological replication, incomplete control reporting and the absence of mechanistic, toxicity or clinical testing preclude efficacy or safety claims. Further work requires independent biological replication to validate assay and chemical characterization.