A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Cyperus Rotundus L.

The important aromatic plant Cyperus rotundas which is belonging to family Cyperaceae. Other names for it include Koraikkilangu in Tamil, Lawalain in Marathi, Nagarmotha in Hindi, Nagar Musta in Sanskrit, and xiangfu/xiangfuzi in Chinese.^1-3

Fig: Cyperus Rotundas L. Herb

Tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions are often ideal for this plant’s growth.  Since ancient times, traditional medication systems have utilized this Indian medicinal manufacturer, which has been shown to offer numerous health benefits, to treat a variety of affectional disorders.  Terpenoids, sesquiterpenes, hydrocarbons, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, ketones, and essential oil painting are all present^.4 An overview of accomplishment, production, post-harvesting, and root rhizome is given in the continuous review composition.  Evaluation of distilled material/oil painting quality and applications in addition to being a significant source of naturally occurring organic chemicals, medicinal and aromatic plants are utilized extensively in medicine.  Even if they are acknowledged as an alternative medical system, traditional medical practices continue to be crucial in meeting the fundamental medical needs of developing nations.  Medicinal plants are used to cure a variety of illnesses because they have less adverse effects than manufactured medications^5-6 Natural products serve as lead molecules with an infinite variety of chemical structures, whose activities can be improved through de novo synthesis or chemical manipulation. Essential oils and various plant extracts are examples of naturally occurring biologically active substances that are less harmful and offer a wealth of potential disease-control agents.⁷

1. Geographical distribution:

Numerous aromatic and other therapeutic plants in the Cyperaceae family contain chemical compounds with biologically significant characteristics.  With over 3700 species spread across 70 genera, Cyperus scariosus is a remarkable multipurpose medicinal herb belonging to a broad, international family of monocotyledons^8-9

Fig: Tubers of Cyperus Rotundas L.

Although it grows in sandy and loamy soil moist fields, especially in Pacific Islands and along coastal regions, the plant needs sun and moisture.  With its tangle of roots and rhizomes that grow 3–4 cm deep in the soil and have a pleasant, aromatic scent, C. Scariosus grows quickly and fills the soil. Its essential oil is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antifungal agent and is also one of the ingredients in several ayurvedic formulations.^10-12

Table No.1: Geographical Distribution of Cyperus Species: -

2. Taxonomy:¹³

The following is the categorization for C. Rotundas

Fig: Style of Cyperus Rotundas L.

Table no.2: Taxonomical Categorization: -

3. Phytochemical investigation:^14-18

Sesquiterpenes, including cyperene, rotundene, rotundenol, isopatchoula-3,5-diene, isopatchoul-3-ene, β-selinene, isopatchoulenol, and scariodione, make up the majority of the essential oil of C. Scariosus.  According to phytochemical research, this herb’s main chemical constituents are polyphenol, flavonol, glycoside, alkaloid, saponins, and sesquiterpenoids.

3.1 Essential oil

Here are key essential-oil compounds reported from Cyperus rotundus (commonly known as Nagarmotha):

Major compounds

α-Cyperone: - identified as a major sesquiterpene ketone. For example, in one study of rhizome oils: “α-cyperone (11.0%)

β-Pinene & α-Pinene: -monoterpenes seen in some samples: e.g., “β-pinene (11.3%), α-pinene (10.8%) …” in one oil sample.

Caryophyllene oxide: -another sesquiterpenoid present as a significant component.

Cyperene & Cyperotundone: -in oils from some regions: “cyperene (19.2-30.9%) and α-cyperone (4.5-25.2%)

Other sesquiterpenes such as β-selinene, α-selinene, humulene epoxide etc. For example: “α-humulene (14.3%), caryophyllene oxide (12.3%), humulene-1,2-epoxide (9.1%), valencene (8.2%), β-selinene (7.9%) …” from a study in Nigeria. ³¹

Myretenol

Beta-Pinene

3.2 Sesquiterpines:

Following are the sesquiterpene present in Cyperus rotundus (Nagarmutha)

Table No 3: - Sesquiterpines in C. Rotundus

Alpha-Cyperone

3.3 Flavonoids:

 Examples of flavonoids include orientin and vitexin. Quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, cinnaroside, Myrcetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isnagin, Tricin, isorhamnetin, ammiol, khellin, and luteolin Luteolin 7, 3’-dimethyl ether, 3’-methyl ether, Luteolin 5, 3’-dimethyl ether, luteolin 4’-glucoside, Tricin 5-glucoside, luteolin 7-diglucoside, Cyperus rotundus contains kaempferol. This shows that falavonol has a unique derivative. The plant is called cyperaflavoside, which is myricetin 3,3’,5’-( Trimethyl ether 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosid ^20-21

Luteolin

Myrcetin

3.4 Steroid:

Among the well-known steroids found in Cyperus rotundus are steroidal glycoside, sitosteryl-(6’-hentriacontanoyl)-β-dgalactopyranoside, sitosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol glucoside, stigmasterol glucoside, chrysoeriol, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, rutin, and khellol-D-glucopyranoside ^22-23

Stigmasterol

3.5 Phenylpropanoid:

P-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, isoaragoside, chionoside A, and helioside C are among the phenylpropanoid chemicals found in Cyperus rotundus tubers and rhizomes ^24-25

Ferulic acid

3.6 Phenolic Substances: 

Among the recognized phenolic chemicals found in Cyperus rotundus tubers and aerial parts are P-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, ellagic acid, salicylic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, and p coumaric acid. ^26-27

Vanillic acid

3. 7 Iridoides, Benzodihydrofurans, and other compounds:

6-O-p-Coumaroylgenipin gentiobioside

Rotunduside A & Rotunduside B. These substances are all classified as phytochemical ^28-30

4. Pharmacological Activities:

Activities related to pharmacology Many workers have studied and reported that Cyperus contains a variety of chemical compounds, including notably sesquiterpenoids, the majority of which may exhibit pharmacological activity ³¹

4.1 Anti-Diarrheal:

Uddin et al. Used castor oil-induced diarrhea in rat models to examine Cyperus rotundus’s anti-diarrheal properties.  According to the study, oral methanolic extract administration at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. showed potent anti-diarrheal effects.  The antibacterial qualities of Cyperus rotundas were studied by Jabier et al.  Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are among the kinds they use.  For instance, compared to gram-negative bacteria, Cyperus rotundus oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on gram-positive bacteria. Pharmacological activities ³²

4.2 Anti-Obesity:

 Rats’ obesity was lessened by the lipolytic action of C. Rotundus preparations (powder in fine suspension, aqueous and alcoholic extracts), which mobilized fat from their adipose tissues. Pharmacological action ₃₃

1. 3. Insect Repellent Activity:

Insect-related behavior: The phytochemical screening and insecticidal testing of C. Rotundus were evaluated in a research. It works almost as well as organophosphate and is more effective than carbamate. Based on the findings, C. Rotundus came in first since all test subjects (ants) perished in 10 seconds or less (10). Organophosphate came in second place with nine kills. Carbamate came in last, with seven ants dying after twelve seconds, while the other ants perished in ten seconds.³⁴

4.4 Activity for Wound Healing:

The goal of this study was to see if extracts from tuber segments of C. Rotundus could help wounds heal. The ability of an alcoholic extract of C. Rotundus tuber components, which is used as an ointment, was evaluated for its capacity to Treat wounds using rat models of excision, incision, and dead space wounds. In each of the Compared to previously published wound models in, the extract ointments demonstrated notable differences. response in terms of tension to the common nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w NFZ) wound closure length, strength, and ability to contract ³⁵

4.5 Ovicidal and Larvicidal Activity:

Essential oils derived from tubers of C. Rotundus have ovicidal and larvicidal effects.   tested on fourth-instar larvae and eggs of Aedes albopictus. After exposing the larvae and eggs They were watched for the entire day at a variety of oil concentrations, ranging from 5 to 150 ppm.The oils had LC50 and LC90 concentrations of less than 20 ppm and EC50 values of less than 5 ppm, suggesting that they were effective. possess significant larvicidal and ovicidal properties. The essential oils of were found to be larvicidal and ovicidal in the study. Certain Cyperus species may provide a natural source of compounds that kill insects. ³⁶

4.6 Antiplatelet Activity:

C. Rotundus is a well-known traditional oriental treatment with a wide range of biological effects. The circulatory system is one of several systems that have demonstrated broad-spectrum activity. Its However, the antiplatelet action is unknown. The goal of this research was to ascertain the The antiplatelet effects of CRE and its constituents. Bleeding times in rat platelets and mouse tails In vitro and ex vivo aggregation assays were used to assess the antiplatelet properties of CRE and its components. eight unique items. Results: The in vitro platelet aggregation test revealed that CRE induced platelet aggregation. Lowered platelet aggregation, collagen, and/or thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner, and in a way that is statistically important.³⁷

4.7 Antimalarial Activity:

Compounds such as were discovered by activity-guided investigation of C. Rotundus tubers. Patchoulenone, caryophyllene oxide, 10,12-peroxycalamenene, and 4,7-dimethyl-l-tetralone. These compounds possess antimalarial characteristics. Activity in the 10-4-10-6 MHz range of the ECso. The book endoperoxide sesquiterpene 10,12-peroxycalamenen is one of theme³⁸

4.8 Antioxidant:

C. Scariosus plants grown in 50% methanol have demonstrated a potentially important ability to scavenge radicals and stop oxidative DNA damage.  U937 cells were not harmed by the C. Scariosus extracts.  To better understand the basis of their antioxidant properties, TPC, TFC, and ASC were identified.  The antioxidant qualities of the extract are supported by its notably high TPC and TFC contents ^39,40

4.9 Hepatoprotective Activity:

The hepatoprotective effect of can be demonstrated by giving rats carbon tetrachloride, which causes liver injury two crude fractions from the rhizomes, solvent ether and ethyl acetate, and an ethyl acetate extract of C. Rotundus (Cyperaceae) was examined. The ethyl acetate extract significantly lowered glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and alkaline serum concentrations total bilirubin and phosphatase at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg. Histopathological examination of The biochemical findings were corroborated by sections of the liver. Furthermore, silymarin was employed as a positive regulation. The brain the raw enzyme Na+/K+-ATP-ase found in rat brains showed a notable increase in activity.an extract from C. Rotundus that inhibits Na+/K+ ATP-ase ^41,42

4.10 Anti-cancer Activity:

C. Rotundus ethanolic extract demonstrated only low to moderate anticancer activity (LC50=2.528-4.939 mg/ml estimated from dose-dependent cell death) in a study that used neuro-2a cells to assess plants for tumoricidal activities.  In another investigation, it was discovered that C. Rotundus essential oil was very effective against L1210 leukemia cell lines.  This result was strongly associated with increased fragmentation of apoptotic DNA.^43,44

4.11 Hemodynamic Hypotensive Activity:

C. Rotundus’s alcoholic extract raised sweating and led to a gradual and consistent decrease in blood pressure.  The extract partially inhibited the effects of histamine but did not alter the effects of acetylcholine or adrenaline on blood pressure.⁴⁵

4.12 Cytoprotective Affect:

As evidenced by the following examples of cytoprotection, C. Rotundus rhizome decoctions demonstrated cytoprotective effects, or ulcer inhibitory efficacy, against stomach injury caused by ethanol. Impacts. Rats should be administered 1.25, 2.5, or 4.0 g/kg of crude drug orally 30 minutes before getting 10 mL/kg of 40% ethanol, which has the following effects: may prevent ulcers, depending on the dosage. Additionally, subcutaneous injection of the decoction (0.3–0.6 g/kg) had a similar effect, with systemic effects shielding the stomach. When the ethanol decoction was given orally (2.5–4.0 g/kg) or subcutaneously (0.3 g/kg) to rats, the stomach motility was significantly reduced when compared to the controls. Indomethacin pre-treatment (5 mg/kg) markedly decreased the stomach-protective impact of Candida rotundus.⁴⁶

4.13 Anticonvulsant Activity:

Anticonvulsant activity was shown in mice that had been given an ethanolic extract of C. Rotundus prior to the experiment. a strong protection against seizures brought on by strychnine and leptazol. The duration of the rhizome ethanol extract significantly decreased hind limb extension and seizure activity. The dose of 100 mg/kg given orally (p.o.) to animals was comparable to the norm (p<0.001). Diazepam (4 mg/kg, i.p.; Indian Pharmacopoeia) and phenytoin (25 mg/kg, i.p.;) are the medications used. Indian Pharmacopoeia), respectively. These findings imply that the ethanol extract of the The rhizome is useful for producing a powerful phytoconstituent that can cure epilepsy, and the extract's Its flavonoids may be responsible for its anticonvulsant properties. ^47,48

4.14 Nociceptive Inhibition:

Investigated the anti-nociceptive properties of a methanol extract of C. Scariosus leaves [2].  Five sets of seven mice each were created from the animals.  Group I was used as a control (10 mg/kg body weight, 1% Tween 80 in water).  Group-II mice received 200 milligrams of aspirin per kilogram of body weight.  30 minutes prior to the acetic acid injection, groups III through V received oral doses of the extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively.  A dose of 10 ml/kg body weight of 1% acetic acid was administered intraperitoneally to all groups to cause pain.  Each animal was given five minutes, after which the number of writhings was counted for ten minutes. ⁴⁹

4.15 Spasmolytic and Hypotensive Effects:

Hydro-methanolic extract of IV administered at concentrations of 3–10 mg/kg, Cyperus scariosus had hypotensive and Bradycardia-inducing consequences. In spite of therapy, these effects persisted. Atropinized animals demonstrating the cardiovascular consequences ofthe plant extract does not work by activating Muscarinic receptors. In vitro experiments, it inhibited the rat uterus, guinea pig paired atria’s spontaneous contractions as well as rabbit jejunum at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. in a manner similar to mg/mL. Additionally, it prevented the release of histamine and acetylcholine induced contractions of guinea pig ileum, which suggests non-spasmolytic effect. It blocked rabbit aorta at a certain point induced by K+ (80 mM) and norepinephrine (10 pM) concentrations of contractions were similar, ranging from 0.1 to 1 mg/ml. The evidence suggests that Cyperus scariosus possesses a Ca2+ channel blocker The general spasmolytic action of, and the in vivo effect seen in folkloric application in diarrhea may be explained by the plant ⁵⁰

4.16 Antidepressants Activity:

 Mice treated with an n-hexane extract of C. Scariosus oil showed antidepressant effects.  Antidepressant activity was assessed in mice using the forced swim test and tail suspension test at two dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg. The outcomes were contrasted with those of the conventional medication, imipramine, at 15 mg/kg.  Similar to the common medication imipramine, C. Scariosus n-hexane extract oil considerably (p<0.001) decreased ⁵¹

4.17 Hypolipidamic Activity:

the effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus scoparius Linn. Root (HCS) on guinea pigs given a diet high in cholesterol in terms of its lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties.  Cyperus scariosus hydroalcoholic extract reduced the serum lipid profile and atherogenic indices at both doses (P < 0.05).  Additionally, serum AST, ALP, and LDH levels were decreased by the greater dose of hydroalcoholic extract, while rosuvastatin raised AST and ALP levels (P < 0.05).  The antioxidant activity of the extract’s phenolic components may be the cause of the treated animals’ improved hepatocytes and reduced fat buildup on liver histology.⁵²

5. Applications of Ethnopharmacology:^53,54

A component of Musta Indication

• Tubers: fever, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia Cholera, Vomiting.
• Fresh tuber: Paste is used as galactogog is used to treat spreading ulcers and scorpion stings.
• Root: leprosy, thirst, fever, blood illness Dysentery, pruritus, discomfort, vomiting, biliousness Erysipelas, ophthalmia, and epilepsy.
• Bulbous root: Dysentery, stomach problems Intestinal Problem.

Table No.4: Chemical Constituent and Pharmacological Activities