An appraisal of novel insights into ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, nanotechnological, and toxicological aspects of Celosia argentea L.

Background and aim Celosia argentea L. (Silver Cockscomb), a member of the Amaranthaceae family, is an herbaceous plant traditionally valued for both nutritional and therapeutic purposes. It is widely cultivated in Asia, North America, and tropical and subtropical regions of Africa as a leafy vegetable. Historically, the plant has been employed in folk medicine to manage a wide range of ailments including wounds, inflammation, gastrointestinal and urinary disorders, diabetes, eye diseases, diarrhea, and as an antidote for snake venom. The present study aims to compile and critically review the existing knowledge on the taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemical profile, pharmacological activities, nanotechnological applications, and toxicological safety of C. argentea, while highlighting its mechanisms of action and potential for further bioprospecting.Experimental approach A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed scientific articles, ethnobotanical records, and pharmacological studies related to Celosia argentea. The compiled data focus on the identification of phytocompounds, their pharmacological evaluations, and applications in nanotechnology and drug development.Key findings Phytochemical screening has revealed the presence of over 70 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, and saponins. Extracts and isolated compounds from C. argentea exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects such as antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, and wound-healing activities. Furthermore, the plant has demonstrated potential in green nanoparticle synthesis, enhancing its biological efficacy. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed, including enzyme inhibition, free radical scavenging, and immune modulation.Conclusion This review underscores the medicinal potential of Celosia argentea and provides a strong foundation for its future pharmacological exploration. Emphasis should now shift to isolating specific phytocompounds, validating their activities through preclinical and clinical trials, and elucidating structure–activity relationships to develop novel therapeutic agents.