Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Anti-Inflammatory Constituents of the Subaerial Parts of Cyperus articulatus (Cyperaceae)

Based on data from a previous ethnobotanical study in northern Angola, phytochemical investigations into the methanolic rhizomes and roots extract of Cyperus articulatus, monitored by in vitro assays, resulted in the recovery of 12 sesquiterpenes, 3 stilbenes, 2 phenolic acids, 1 monoterpene, and 1 flavonoid. Among them, 14 compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. Their inhibitory potential against nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, was evaluated in LPS-treated J774A.1 murine macrophages. Especially, both stilbene dimer trans-scirpusin B and trimer cyperusphenol B showed promising inhibitory activity against the production of the inflammatory mediator, NO, in a concentration-dependent manner (10-1 mu M). The obtained data are the first results confirming the anti-inflammatory potential of C. articulatus and support its indigenous use as a traditional remedy against inflammation-related disorders.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the chemical composition of the rhizomes and roots extract of Cyperus articulatus and evaluated their anti-inflammatory potential through in vitro experiments, revealing multiple compounds with inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory mediators, supporting the traditional medicinal use of Cyperus articulatus for treating inflammation-related disorders.