Phytochemical analysis and biological properties of Cyperus rotundus L.

Cyperus rotundus is a traditional medicinal herb used in the treatment of various ailments. In the present study, we have evaluated in vitro anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging activities of 70% ethanolic, methanolic and water extracts of C. rotundus root. Among the extracts, the 70% ethanolic extract was found to be most potent with the IC50 values of 64.64 +/- 5.3 mu g/mL, 85.89 +/- 6.3 mu g/mL and 8.42 +/- 0.45 mg/mL against DPPH, metal chelating and nitric oxide scavenging activities and the observed activity could be correlated with metabolites such as polyphenols, flavonoids and sesquiterpenes identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Further C. rotundus was evaluated for its protective properties against macromolecules such as DNA, protein and lipid damage. The extract showed 48% protection against H2O2 induced DNA damage and inhibited the AAPH and SIN-1 induced oxidation and nitration of BSA. Moreover, C. rotundus pretreatment restored the antioxidant status in white blood cells treated with H2O2. C. rotundus showed acetylcholine esterase inhibitory activity and the extract was found to be non-toxic up to 100 mu g/mL in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. The ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) also proved to be a potent anxiolyte as assessed by behavioural tests. Overall, the results suggest that this plant extract may be useful in combating oxidative stress related diseases through its antioxidant activity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.