Infusion Of Flowers Of Cosmos Bipinnaius
Also known as: Cosmos bipinnatus Cav., Garden cosmos, Mexican aster, Infusion Of Flowers Of Cosmos Bipinnaius, Cosmos bipinnatus
Overview
Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a flowering plant whose extracts are being investigated for potential pharmacological activities. Research suggests it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic properties, primarily attributed to its rich content of bioactive compounds like anthocyanins and other polyphenols. While promising, current evidence is largely derived from in vitro studies and animal models. There is a notable absence of human clinical trials, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses to substantiate its efficacy and safety for human consumption. The plant is primarily known for its ornamental value, and its use as a botanical supplement is still in the early stages of scientific exploration.
Benefits
Research on *Cosmos bipinnatus* has identified several potential benefits, though these are predominantly from preclinical studies: - **Anti-inflammatory activity:** Alcohol extracts have shown significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, reducing exudation stages by 40-52%, comparable to diclofenac. This suggests a potential for managing inflammatory conditions, but human data is needed. - **Hypolipidemic effects:** Animal studies indicate that extracts can normalize elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels by approximately 44-50% and 52-57% respectively, pointing to a role in lipid management. The strength of evidence is moderate, based on controlled animal experiments. - **Antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects:** In vitro studies demonstrate strong antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative DNA damage, suggesting a capacity to mitigate oxidative stress. This evidence is limited to cell models and requires in vivo confirmation. - **Anthocyanin stability:** Anthocyanins from *Cosmos bipinnatus* flowers exhibit good stability across various pH and temperature conditions, which is crucial for their bioavailability and potential efficacy as antioxidants upon ingestion. This finding supports the potential for bioactivity but does not directly confirm a human health benefit.
How it works
The anti-inflammatory effects of *Cosmos bipinnatus* extracts are believed to stem from their ability to inhibit the exudation and proliferative phases of inflammation, similar to the action of NSAIDs like diclofenac. Its antioxidant properties are attributed to polyphenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins, which act as scavengers of reactive oxygen species, thereby protecting cellular components, including DNA, from oxidative damage. The hypolipidemic effects likely involve the modulation of lipid metabolism pathways, though the precise molecular targets are yet to be fully elucidated. Bioavailability studies suggest that the anthocyanins are relatively stable under gastrointestinal conditions, indicating that these active compounds could be absorbed and exert systemic effects after oral intake.
Side effects
Currently, there is a significant lack of human safety data for *Cosmos bipinnatus* extracts. No human clinical trials have been conducted to assess potential side effects, drug interactions, or contraindications. While animal studies using doses of approximately 300 mg/kg did not report any adverse effects, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. Due to the absence of comprehensive safety evaluations in humans, caution is strongly advised. There are no documented drug interactions or specific risk factors identified at this time. Individuals considering the use of *Cosmos bipinnatus* should be aware of the unknown safety profile and consult with a healthcare professional, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications.
Dosage
There are no established human dosing guidelines for *Cosmos bipinnatus* extracts due to the lack of clinical trials. Effective doses observed in animal models were approximately 300 mg/kg of extract. However, this dosage cannot be directly translated to humans without further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies. The bioavailability of active compounds, such as anthocyanins, appears to be maintained under physiological pH and temperature conditions, which is a positive indicator for potential oral administration. Until human-specific research is conducted, any use of *Cosmos bipinnatus* as a supplement would be speculative regarding dosage and safety. Upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are entirely unknown.
FAQs
Is the infusion of *Cosmos bipinnatus* flowers effective for inflammation?
Animal studies suggest significant anti-inflammatory effects comparable to diclofenac, but human data are currently lacking to confirm this benefit in people.
Is *Cosmos bipinnatus* safe to consume?
Safety in humans has not been established. While animal studies showed no toxicity at tested doses, human clinical trials are needed to determine its safety profile.
How long before effects appear?
Animal studies were acute or subacute, so the time course for any potential effects in humans is unknown and requires further research.
Are there known side effects?
No side effects were reported in animal studies, but human data are absent, meaning potential side effects in people are currently unknown.
Research Sources
- https://rjeid.com/2307-9266/article/view/111724 – This experimental animal study investigated alcohol extracts of *C. bipinnatus* in rats. It found that the extracts significantly reduced inflammation by 40-52% and lowered cholesterol and triglycerides by 44-57%, with effects comparable to diclofenac. The study provides preclinical evidence for anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic properties.
- https://journals.eco-vector.com/2307-9266/article/download/111724/86763 – This source is a direct download link for the same study by Kulichenko et al. (2022). It details the methodology and results of the animal study, confirming the anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of *Cosmos bipinnatus* extracts in rats, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18758962/ – This in vitro study demonstrated that *Cosmos bipinnatus* extracts possess significant antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative DNA damage in cell models. It provides mechanistic insights into the plant's potential to combat oxidative stress, although further in vivo confirmation is needed.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10892915/ – This research investigated the stability of anthocyanins from *Cosmos bipinnatus* flowers under various pH and temperature conditions. It found that these anthocyanins exhibit good stability, which is crucial for their potential bioaccessibility and antioxidant effects upon ingestion, supporting their potential as bioactive compounds.