Costus spp.

Costus/Drug Interactions:

  • AbortifacientsAbortifacients: In animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. had a lack of effect on uteri at progestogenic and estrogenic phases but induced the expulsion of whole fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy (2). In animal research, the aqueous extract of C. lucanusianus produced a dose-dependent contraction of the uterus (1).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In animal research, Costus spicatus resulted in antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects (19).
  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: In guinea pigs, using the wheal test, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. had anesthetic effects (2).
  • AntiarthriticsAntiarthritics: In animal research, Costus afar reduced adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (8).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In laboratory research, Costus discolor had antimicrobial effects against Aspergillus ochraceus (26). In addition, antimicrobial effects of Costus spicatus leaf extracts were shown (3).
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including reduced plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and increased plasma insulin (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16). However, in animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. both decreased (doses <200mg/kg) and increased (doses >200mg/kg) blood glucose, depending on dose (2); in a separate animal study, tea from Costus spicatus had a lack of effect on fasting glucose and insulin concentrations (23).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In animal research, anti-inflammatory effects of various Costus species have been shown (19; 8).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin and costunolide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol (11; 12). In another animal diabetic model, 300 and 450mg/kg of body weight of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root resulted in reversed hyperlipidemia (reduced plasma total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride) (5).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, Costus arabicus inhibited cancer cell lines (9).
  • Antiurolithiasis agentsAntiurolithiasis agents: In rats, the water extract of Costus spiralis Roscoe had antiurolithiatic effects (21).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In vitro, in the proximal tubule from pig kidney, two steroidal saponins isolated from Costus spicatus resulted in inhibition of sodium ATPase activity (17).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. contracted guinea pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner (2). In animal research, Costus afar reduced arachidonic acid- and castor oil-induced diarrhea (8).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: The estrogenic activity of saponins from Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. were investigated (18). Further details are lacking.
  • OxytocinOxytocin: In animal research, the aqueous extract of C. lucanusianus had a synergistic effect with oxytocin with respect to contraction of the uterus (1).

    • Costus/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AbortifacientsAbortifacients: In animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. had a lack of effect on uteri at progestogenic and estrogenic phases but induced the expulsion of whole fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy (2). In animal research, the aqueous extract of C.lucanusianus produced a dose-dependent contraction of the uterus (1).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In animal research, Costus spicatus resulted in antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects (19).
  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: In guinea pigs, using the wheal test, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. had anesthetic effects (2).
  • AntiarthriticsAntiarthritics: In animal research, Costus afar reduced adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (8).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In laboratory research, Costus discolor had antimicrobial effects against Aspergillus ochraceus (26). In addition, antimicrobial effects of Costus spicatus leaf extracts were shown, but further details are lacking (3).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In animal research, anti-inflammatory effects of various Costus species have been shown (19; 8).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin and costunolide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol (11; 12). In an animal diabetic model, 300 and 450mg/kg of body weight of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root resulted in reversed hyperlipidemia (reduced plasma total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride) (5).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, Costus arabicus inhibited cancer cell lines (9).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In an animal diabetic model, administration of costunolide or eremanthin, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced levels of tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (4). In an animal diabetic model, 300 and 450mg/kg of body weight of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root resulted in improved hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (5).
  • Antiurolithiatic agentsAntiurolithiatic agents: In animal research, the water extract of Costus spiralis Roscoe had antiurolithiatic effects (21).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In vitro, in the proximal tubule from pig kidney, two steroidal saponins isolated from Costus spicatus resulted in inhibition of sodium ATPase activity (17).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. contracted guinea pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner (2). In animal research, Costus afar reduced arachidonic acid- and castor oil-induced diarrhea (8).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: The estrogenic activity of saponins from Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. were investigated (18). Further details are lacking.
  • Hyperglycemics/hypoglycemicsHyperglycemics/hypoglycemics: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including reduced plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and increased plasma insulin (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16). However, in animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. both decreased and increased blood glucose, depending on dose (2); in a separate animal study, tea from Costus spicatus had a lack of effect on fasting glucose and insulin concentrations (23).

    • Costus/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Costus/Lab Interactions:

  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In an animal diabetic model, administration of costunolide or eremanthin, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced levels of tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (4).
  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including reduced plasma glucose (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16). However, in animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. both decreased and increased blood glucose, depending on dose (2); in a separate animal study, tea from Costus spicatus had a lack of effect on fasting glucose (23).
  • Blood lipidsBlood lipids: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin and costunolide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol (11; 12). In an animal diabetic model, 300 and 450mg/kg of body weight of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root resulted in reversed hyperlipidemia (reduced plasma total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride) (5).
  • GlycogenGlycogen: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin or costulonide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in increased tissue glycogen (12).
  • Glycosylated hemoglobinGlycosylated hemoglobin: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16).
  • Liver enzymesLiver enzymes: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin or costulonide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in near normalization of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase (11; 12).
  • Serum proteinSerum protein: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin or costulonide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in increased serum protein (11; 12).
  • InsulinInsulin: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including increased plasma insulin (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16). However, in animal research, tea from Costus spicatus had a lack of effect on fasting insulin concentrations (23).