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Vol 5|Issue 4| 2015 |379-384.
379
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THE PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CENTAUREA
CYANUS - A REVIEW
Ali Esmail Al-Snafi*
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Thi qar University, Nasiriyah, Iraq.
ABSTRACT
Chemical analysis of different parts of Centaurea cyanus revealed that the plant contained flavonoids, anthocyanins,
phenilpropanic compounds, aromatic acids, phenolcarboxylic acids, amino acids, sugars, indole alkaloids, and it was rich in
minerals and trace elements. The previous pharmacological studies showed that the plant possessed antibacterial, anti-
inflammatory, neural, antioxidant, diuretic, gastro-protective and many other effects. This review will discuss the chemical
constituents and pharmacological effects of Centaurea cyanus.
Key words: Centaurea cyanus, Pharmacology, Chemical constituents.
INTRODUCTION
During recent years, herbal medicine has become
an increasingly scientifically based system of healing. Due
to demands from both the public and medical
establishments, studies leading to the scientific explanation
of plant therapeutic capabilities are allowing this practice
to gain increasing credibility and acceptance within the
medical community [1-2]. The recent studies showed that
the plants are a valuable source of a wide range of
secondary metabolites, which are used as pharmaceuticals,
agrochemicals, flavors, fragrances, colors, pesticides and
food additives [2-60]. Chemical analysis of different parts
of Centaurea cyanus revealed that the plant contained
flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenilpropanic compounds,
aromatic acids, phenolcarboxylic acids, amino acids,
sugars, indole alkaloids, and it was rich in minerals and
trace elements. The previous pharmacological studies
showed that the plant possessed antibacterial, anti-
inflammatory, neural, antioxidant, diuretic, gastro-
protective and many other effects. This review was
designed to discuss the chemical constituents and
pharmacological effects of Centaurea cyanus.
History and Nomenclature
In ancient Egypt, reproductions of cornflowers
have been found dating back to the first half of the 4th
millennium BC (Stone to Bronze Age). As a companion of
cereal plants and probably also because of its similar
colour to the blue lotus ( Nymphaea coerulea), it soon
became a symbol of life and fertility. It was even
cultivated as a garden plant, portrayed, for instance, on
wall friezes, and on wall and floor designs in houses and
palaces of the Amarna period (1364–1347 BC). Often
flower heads appeared on faience and glazed earthenware,
which was also used for pendants of earrings, necklaces,
and collars for ladies. From the 18th dynasty (from 1552
BC) until the Greek–Roman period, florists used
cornflower heads for grave decorations. In the tomb of
Tut-ankh-Amun, Howard Carter (in 1922) found wreaths
and garlands of cornflowers together with petals of the
blue lotus flower on the three coffins. Plants were given to
the deceased to accompany him on his way, as an aid for
reanimation. The scientific name of the genus, Centaurea
was derived from the story of the centaur Chiron, Achilles
adviser. According to Greek myth, Achilles was wounded
with a poisoned arrow (by Herakles), and his wound was
healed by applying cornflower plants. The species name
cyanus was given because of the flowers vivid blue colour.
The common name 'Cornflower' comes from the fact that
the plant grows wild in the grain fields of southern Europe.
In Christian symbolism, cornflower became a symbol of
the Queen of Heaven, Mary, and Christ. The cornflower
has also been used as a symbol of tenderness, of fidelity,
and of reliability. Botticelli (15th century) decorated the
garments of some of the figures in his paintings with a
cornflower design Cornflower has also been used as a
symbol of power and majesty such as in the tapestry called
*Corresponding Author Ali Esmail Al-Snafi E mail: aboahmad61@yahoo.com
International Journal
of
Pharmacy Review & Research
www.ijprr.com
e-ISSN: 2248 – 9207
Print ISSN: 2248 – 9193
Vol 5|Issue 4| 2015 |379-384.
380
‘Verdure of arms of Emperor Charles V. The two-headed
eagle as the sign of the Habsburg Monarchy and the coat
of arms is surrounded by various realistically-drawn
plants, among them cornflower, with its tubular florets and
characteristic bracts dominating the space [61-64].
When Napoleon forced Queen Louise of Prussia
from Berlin, she hid her children in a cornfield and kept
them entertained and quiet by weaving wreaths of
cornflowers. One of her children, Wilheim, later became
the emperor of Germany. Remembering his mother's
bravery, he made the cornflower a national emblem of
unity [64-65].
Taxonomic classification
Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Anthophyta, Class:
Dicotyledoneae, Family: Asteraceae, Genus: Centaurea,
Species: cyanus [2].
Common names: Centaurea, Bachelor's Buttons,
Bluebonnet, Bluebottle, Blue Centaury, Cyani, Bluebow,
Hurtsickle, Blue Cap and Cyani-flowers.
Distribution
The plant is a native of Europe and the Middle
East, it is a garden flower in the United States, and now
cultivated worldwide, it is spread all over Europe and
Western Asia [66-68].
Description
Centaurea cyanus consists of stem, leaves,
inflorescences, marginal and central flowers. Stem up to 3
mm in diameter, fistular, bright green, longitudinally
furrowed, slightly pubescent. Leaves linear, a prominent
central vein, both surfaces pubescent. The flowers are
produced in flowerheads 1.5-3 cm diameter, with a ring of
a few large, spreading ray florets surrounding a central
cluster of disc florets. The ray florets up to 2 cm length,
sterile, consist of fused petals with small 5-8 upper teeth.
In the disc florets the petals are fused into a tube five
apical lobes. They are bisexual, containing both fertile
anthers and a fertile pistil. The bracts, 12-15 mm length, 5-
9 mm width, enclosing the hard head of the flower are
numerous, with tightly overlapping scales, each bordered
by a fringe of brown teeth. Odour is faint, pleasantly
aromatic [69].
Traditional uses
Externally it is used as an anti-inflammatory and
astringent herb for eye ailments and skin cleansing. An eye
wash made with cornflower blossoms is used for
conjunctivitis and blepharitis as well as to relieve
strained, tired or puffy eyes. Blue blossoms infused in
water have both curative and calming action for nervous
disorders. Eye wash is reputed to strengthen weak eyes.
Traditionally it is said to work best on blue eyes. The dried
flowers are antipruritic, antitussive, astringent, weakly
diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, very mildly
purgative, and tonic. An infusion can be used in the
treatment of dropsy, constipation, or as a mouthwash for
ulcers and bleeding gums. This infusion is also taken as a
bitter tonic and stimulant, improving the digestion and
possibly supporting the liver as well as improving
resistance to infections. Water distilled from the marginal
flowers was formerly in repute as a remedy for weak eyes
and a soothing lotion for conjunctivitis. The seeds are used
as a mild laxative for children. Cornflower leaves are used
to create a cleansing facial steam for dry sensitive skin. A
decoction of the leaves is antirheumatic [66, 70-72].
Part used medicinally: Flowers.
Chemical constituents
Various flavonoids were isolated from Centaurea
cyanus including apigenin-4'-O-(6-O-malonil-glucoside)-
7-O-glucuronide, apigenin-4-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-
glucoside (cosmosiin), apigenin-7-O apio- glucoside
(apiin), methyl-apigenin and methyl-vitexin, cyanidin-3-
O-succinyl-glucoside- 5-O-glucoside (centaurocyanin),
cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (cyaniding), 5-methoxy-
apigenine (hispidulin), quercetin-3-O-gluco- rhamnoside
(rutoside), rhamnetin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-7-O-
glucoside, naringenin, kaempferol-glycosides, luteolin-
glycosides, quercetin, naringin, naringenin-7-O-gluco-
rhamnoside, quercetin-3-glucorhamnoside, apigenin-7-
glucoside, quercetin-7-glucoside, quercetin -3-glucoside,
apigenin-8-C-glucoside, aringenine, caffeic, chlorogenic,
neochlorogenic acids and umbeliferone [67, 73-75].
It was also contained aromatic acids including
phenyl carboxylic acid derivates such as: cis and trans-
caffeic acids, protocatechic and chlorogenic acids, p-
hidroxibenzoic, p-coumaric, vanilic, syringic, ferulic,
salicilic and benzoic acids, as well as cis/trans-sinapic
acids or o/p-hidroxiphenylacetic acids [76].
The plant also contained amino acids, sugars
(glucose, fructose, zaharose, raffinose) [67], and
coumarins (scopoletin, umbelliferone) [77].
In studying the phenolcarboxylic acids content of
the flowers, it appeared that they contained 23 acids:
chlorogenic, cis- and trans-caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-
coumaric, vanillic, syringic, ferulic, salicylic, p-hydroxy-
phenylacetic, o-hydroxyphenylacetic, benzoic, cis- and
trans-sinapic and other less known phenolcarboxylic acids
[78].
Analysis of a methanol extract of the seeds of
Centaurea cyanus gave four indole alkaloids:
moschamine, cis-moschamine, centcyamine and cis-
centcyamine [79].
Centaurea cyanus also contained at least two
compounds (Centaur X1 and X2) related to decadiene-1,9-
triyne-3,5,7; and at least two compounds (Centaur Y1 and
Y2) related to octatetraene-1,3,5,7 [80].
Qualitative studies performed on the tinctures
and crude aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts of
Centaurea cyanus raw material (flower head and aerial
part) revealed the superiority of crude extracts and
acetone extract for isolation of polyphenols ( quercetin,
apigenin and caffeic acid derivates) [81].
However, the total of phenilpropanic compounds,
flavonoids and anthocyanins was determined in Centaurea
cyanus. The highest concentration of flavonoids were
determined in purple flowers (0.21 – 0.22%), next in the
pink flowers (0.19%) and the lowest in blue flowers.
Vol 5|Issue 4| 2015 |379-384.
381
Anthocyanins highest concentration was found in purple
(1.36-3.63%), in blue (0.24-0.67%) and in pink flowers
and inflorescences (0.07-0.23%). In purple inflorescences,
the concentration of phenilpropanic compounds is higher
(0.36%) than in blue inflorescences (0.15%), but in aerial
parts with purple inflorescences is lowest (0.24%) than in
aerial parts with blue inflorescences (0.31%) [70].
Centaurea cyanus also contained K-5.75%, Ca-2,46%,
Mg-0.27%, Na-0.02%, Fe-0,0175, Mn-0.0061% and Zn-
0.0052%. Selective plant extract have been shown as
containing: K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn and Zn [67].
Pharmacological effects
Antibacterial effect
The drug has an antibacterial effect in vitro
(centaurocyanin), but only for the aerial parts of the plant
without the flowers [66].
The water, ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of
Centaurea cyanus were tested against Agrobacterium
radiobacter var. tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Erwinia
carotovora, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Ps. fluorescens, Sarcina lutea and Staphylococcus aureus,
in a concentration of 5, 10, and 15mg/disc. The water and
ethanol extracts showed moderate activity against
Staphylococcus aureus only [82].
Anti-inflammatory effect
Centaurea cyanus flower-heads had anti-
inflammatory properties as shown by different
pharmacological experiments including inhibition of
carrageenan, zymosan and croton oil-induced edemas,
inhibition of plasma hemolytic activity, and/or induction
of anaphylatoxin activity [71].
Moschamine a safflomide-type phenylpropenoic
acid amide found in Centaurea cyanus was a very potent
COX-I inhibitor, it inhibited COX-I by 58% (p < 0.012) at
the concentration of 0.1 µ mol /l [83].
Antiserotonin effect
Moschamine a safflomide-type phenylpropenoic
acid amide found in Centaurea cyanus, was tested as
antiserotoninergic agent. At the concentration of
10 µ mol /l, moschamine was able to inhibit forskolin-
stimulated cAMP formation by 25%
(p < 0.015), via inhibiting serotonin receptors in the OK
cells. The inhibition was repressed by two 5-HT1
antagonists (Nan-190 and spiperone), suggesting that
moschamine may suppress cAMP formation via binding to
5-HT1 receptors in the cells [83].
Antioxidant effect
Antioxidant activity of this selective plant extract
obtained from Centaurea cyanus have been measured in
vitro, using chemiluminescence’s method – system
luminol/H2O2. High antioxidant activity was exerted by
Centaurea cyanus, similar to that produced by commercial
Camellia sinensis (green tea) [67].
Gastroprotective effect
Pharmacological studies carried out on Wistar
rats with stress-induced ulcer shown a very gastro-
protective activity (protection percents over 80%) of the
Centaurea cyanus extract [67]. The gastroprotective
effects of Centaurea cyanus L. (herba) polysaccharides (P)
and polyphenols (A) fractions was studied in stress-
induced rat ulcer model. In vivo pharmacological studies
revealed high influence of PA product (500 mg/kg) on
deep, moderate and superficial gastric mucosal lesions,
greater than that of chemical reference, Ranitidine.
polyphenols fractions was proven more effective than
Ranitidine in opposing the emergence of deep necrotic
lesions only, suggesting the ability of polysaccharides
compounds to consolidate gastric mucous layer as well as
their certain tendency for cooperation with polyphenols
fractions [84].
Diuretic effect
The effect of cornflower water extract was
compared with hydrochlorothiazide on diuresis, Na+ and
K+ excretion, and the changes in the prostaglandin E2 and
kinins levels in the plasma of experimental rat's plasma. In
hydrochlorothiazide receiving rats, the volume of urine
excreted two and four hours after the administration of the
drug was by 18% and 17%, respectively, higher as
compared to the rats that were given cornflower water
extract (P<0.05). The diuretic effect of cornflower water
extract was noted in the animal group receiving this extract
as compared to the control group: after two hours, the
volume of urine excreted increased from 2.03±0.03 ml to
2.44±0.04 ml, and after four hours from 3.88±0.07 ml to
5.35±0.1 ml. Administration of hydrochlorothiazide under
the load of salts and water resulted in a higher excretion of
sodium and potassium as compared to the effect of
cornflower water extract. The highest prostaglandin levels
were found in the plasma of the animals receiving
hydrochlorothiazide. Under the load of salts and water, a
13% and 15% increase in the amount of prostaglandins
observed in the animals given cornflower water extract
compared to the control animals respectively (P<0.05).
The greatest increase in the amount of kinins was found in
the groups of animals that given hydrochlorothiazide under
the load of salts and water (14% and 22%, respectively).
Kinin levels did not differ significantly between the
control group and the groups receiving cornflower water
extract [85].
Toxicity and adverse effects
Health risks or side effects following the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not
recorded. The drug possesses a weak sensitization
potential [66].
Dose
Cornflower is rarely used today. Occasionally, it
is used as an inactive ingredient in tea mixtures. The
infusion is prepared by adding 1 gm of drug per cup. The
infusion was taken several times daily [66]. As a tincture,
it was used as 6-12 drops in juice, water, under the tongue
or as desired. May be taken 3 times daily [68].
Conclusion
Vol 5|Issue 4| 2015 |379-384.
382
This review discussed the chemical constituents
and pharmacological effects of Centaurea cyanus to enhance further pharmacological studies and clinical uses
of the plant as a result of effectiveness and safety.
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