Study on the enhanced efficacy mechanism of vinegar-processed Cyperus rotundus in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

The enhanced efficacy of vinegar-processed Cyperus rotundus (VCR) in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) has been observed. However, the active components and potential mechanisms of synergy are still unclear. The objective of this study was to develop a method that combines bionic technology, plant metabolomics and network pharmacology to discover the active components and potential mechanisms underlying the enhanced therapeutic effects of VCR for PD. Vinegar processing alters the flavor of C. rotundus, leading to changes in its properties. The acidic nature of vinegar enhances the selectivity of the medicine toward the liver, thereby improving its ability to soothe the liver, regulate qi and provide pain relief. Through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis, 30 key differential components between raw C. rotundus and VCR have been screened and identified. These differential components primarily exert their therapeutic effects in treating PD by modulating targets such as interleukin-6, TNF, TP53 and PTGS2, as well as pathways including the estrogen signaling pathway, ovarian steroidogenesis, the TNF signaling pathway and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. The findings of this study serve as a reference for the application of VCR in compound formulas and clinic practiceal. Furthermore, the methodology employed in this study provides research insights for the processing of other Chinese medicines.

Cyperus rotundus L.: Invasive weed plant with insecticidal potential against Aphis craccivora Koch and Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell).

Cyperus rotundus L. is a widely distributed invasive weed plant with vast traditional medicinal uses. Herein, the methanolic root extract of C. rotundus and its fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol, and aqueous) were evaluated for insecticidal activity against nymphs of Aphis craccivora Koch and crawlers of Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) to find promising lead (s). In contact topical assay, among extract/fractions, n-hexane fraction exhibited more toxicity against A. craccivora (LD50 = 1.12 µg/insect) and P. lilacinus (LD50 = 0.94 µg/insect). The chemical analysis of n-hexane fraction revealed a volatile composition similar to that of the essential oil (EO) of C. rotundus roots. Hence, EO was extracted using water and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as cosolvent, which revealed enhancement in EO yield (from 0.28 to 0.46% w/w) on implementing DESs. A total of 35 diverse volatile metabolites were identified in all EO samples, accounting for 85.0 to 91.8% of chemical composition, having cyperotundone, cyperene mustakone, isolongifolen-5-one, boronia butenal as major constituents. The EO obtained with DES-7 [choline chloride: ethylene glycol (1:4)] and DES-6 [choline chloride: lactic acid (1:3)] were found effective against A. craccivora (LD50 = 0.62-0.87 µg/insect) and P. lilacinus (LD50= 0.59-0.67 µg/insect) after 96 h. NMR analysis of EO revealed cyperotundone as a major compound, which was isolated along with cyperene and cyperene epoxide. All the molecules were found effective against P. lilacinus, whereas against A. craccivora cyperotundone, cyperene and cyperene epoxide showed promising toxicity (LD50 = 0.74-0.86 µg/insect). Extract/fractions, EO, and isolated molecules showed a significant reproductive inhibition rate of A. craccivora at higher concentrations. All the tested concentrations of cyperotundone showed significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in A. craccivora and P. lilacinus. Based upon the present study, C. rotundus can be recommended to control targeted insects in the greenhouse/field conditions after performing bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity studies.

A seed-like proteome in oil-rich tubers.

There are numerous examples of plant organs or developmental stages that are desiccation-tolerant and can withstand extended periods of severe water loss. One prime example are seeds and pollen of many spermatophytes. However, in some plants, also vegetative organs can be desiccation-tolerant. One example are the tubers of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), which also store large amounts of lipids similar to seeds. Interestingly, the closest known relative, purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), generates tubers that do not accumulate oil and are not desiccation-tolerant. We generated nanoLC-MS/MS-based proteomes of yellow nutsedge in five replicates of four stages of tuber development and compared them to the proteomes of roots and leaves, yielding 2257 distinct protein groups. Our data reveal a striking upregulation of hallmark proteins of seeds in the tubers. A deeper comparison to the tuber proteome of the close relative purple nutsedge (C. rotundus) and a previously published proteome of Arabidopsis seeds and seedlings indicates that indeed a seed-like proteome was found in yellow but not purple nutsedge. This was further supported by an analysis of the proteome of a lipid droplet-enriched fraction of yellow nutsedge, which also displayed seed-like characteristics. One reason for the differences between the two nutsedge species might be the expression of certain transcription factors homologous to ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3, WRINKLED1, and LEAFY COTYLEDON1 that drive gene expression in Arabidopsis seed embryos.

Study on the quality difference of Cyperus rotundus before and after vinegar processing based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry and molecular network combined with color parameters.

Cyperus rotundus is the dry rhizome of the Cyperaceae plant Cyperus. Although there are two types of processed products in clinics, their quality differences are not clear, and the identification methods are more complex. In this study, the chemical composition of different processed products of Cyperus rotundus was characterized using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry and molecular network analysis, to identify the potential chemical markers and to establish a quick and simple color-based discrimination method. Among the 65 compounds analyzed, 12 showed significant differences. Observing the color, the surface brightness (L*) of Cyperus rotundus decreased after vinegar processing, while red (a*) and yellow (b*) values increased. These color values correlated significantly with chemical compositions. Finally, a color discriminant function was established and verified for raw Cyperus rotundus and vinegar-processing Cyperus rotundus. Based on this study, Cyperus rotundus' quality can be effectively controlled and provides a method for the comprehensive characterization of chemical components and chemical markers of other traditional Chinese medicine and processed products, as well as new ideas and methods in identification and quality evaluation.

An efficient high-speed counter-current chromatography method for the preparative separation of sesquiterpenoids from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. combined with evaluation of the anti-inflammation activity in vitro and molecular docking.

Cyperus rotundus L. has been extensively used in ancient medication for the treatment of different disorders worldwide, in which sesquiterpenes are the most representative components. In this study, sesquiterpenes were effectively purified by two-dimensional counter-current chromatography in combination with continuous injection and inner-recycling mode with a solvent system of n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:0.2:1:0.2, v/v/v/v). For one-dimension separation, continuous injection mode was used with three times injection and the inner-recycling mode was adopted for the separation of two mixtures for two-dimensional separation. Finally, four sesquiterpenoids, including scariodione (1), cyperenoic acid (2), scariodione (3), and α-cyperone (4), were obtained with purities over 98%. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were applied to identify their structures. The results from the anti-inflammation effect with zebrafish demonstrated that cyperenoic acid exhibited stronger anti-inflammation activity. Molecular docking results suggested that cyperenoic acid possessed lower binding energies -9.4545 kcal/mol with 1CX2 to form formed hydrogen bond interaction with ARG120. In general, all the obtained findings proved that the strong anti-inflammation capacity of cyperenoic acid can have the potential of being adopted for treating diseases resulting from inflammation.

Chemical Constituents and Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Essential Oils of Alpinia officinarum (Zingiberaceae), Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae), and Their Herbal Pair.

The essential oil (EO) of the herbal pair (HP), Alpinia officinarum-Cyperus rotundus (HP G-X) has been conventionally used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for 'warming the stomach' and relieving pain. However, its pharmacologically active compounds, as well as the mechanism of its anti-gastric ulcer properties remain unclear. In this study, the EOs obtained from HP G-X and its corresponding single herbs were analyzed using GC/MS. A total of 74, 56, and 85 compounds were detected in A. officinarum (GLJ), C. rotundus (XF), and HP G-X, accounting for 93.2 %, 89.5 %, and 92.0 % of the total content, respectively. GLJ mainly contains 1,8-cineol (22.0 %) and α-terpineol (11.8 %), whereas cyperenone (22.4 %) and cyperene (12.3 %) were the major constituents in XF. These four compounds were also detected in the HP G-X with relatively high composition as 11.8 %, 5.5 %, 11.8 %, and 10.6 %, respectively. Although no new compounds were detected in HP G-X, the relative concentration of some compounds increased, while others decreased or even disappeared. HP G-X showed the lowest toxicity (TC50 >800 µg/mL) against human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) and had the best protective effect against ethanol-induced GES-1 cell damage compared to the individual herbs. In vitro studies demonstrated that HP G-X and the corresponding single herbs significantly reduced IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2. In addition, in vivo investigations indicated that HP G-X can protect the gastric mucosa of mice from ethanol-induced damage by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction and providing analgesia. It can also inhibit the expression of NF-κBp65, COX-2, and TRPV1 protein, reduce the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α, and relieve heat-induced pain. This study further substantiated the traditional application of HP G-X against gastric ulcers through both in vivo and in vitro investigations.

Cyperus rotundus: a safe forage or hyper phytostabilizer species in copper contaminated soils.

This study was carried out to evaluate Cu uptake, mobility, and accumulation in Cyperus rotundus and define the physiological strategy it employs under copper stress conditions. The experiment was performed at concentration levels from 12, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg Cu/kg in pod soil. The metal concentrations in roots, tubers, and root organs and the translocation factor (TF), total soluble sugars (TSS), and biomass production were evaluated. The results showed that the changes in TF and Cu concentrations had good fitness (pvalue < 0.01; R2 > 0.87) with the quadratic models. These models have indicated C. rotundus has limited Cu translocation from the roots to the shoots (0.009 < TF < 0.05). The results also showed that TSS significantly (pvalue < 0.05) increased under Cu stress and changes in both the shoot and tuber tissues had good fitness with the quadratic model (R2 > 0.98). In summary, C. rotundus is a hyper tolerant plant with a high ability to take up Cu from the soil, accumulate it in its underground tissues and prevent Cu translocate in above ground tissues. Therefore C. rotundus can be considered as a hyper phytostabilizer with the ability to hold Cu concentration in its shoot at a lower level than the maximum allowable concentrations in animal food and so can be recommend as safe forage in the copper contaminated environment.Novelty statementThis paper reported for the first that Cyperus rotundus can be hyper Phytostabilizer if tubers and roots are considered as an unharvestable part.Cyperus rotundus can be suggested as a safe palatable plant due to the following three indices: (1) the maximum Cu concentration observed in the shoots is less than the maximum authorized concentration (MAC) in animal food, (2) the Translocation Factor of Cu (TF < 0.05) is very low, and (3) the physiological strategy of "excluders sensu Baker" used for copper phytostabilizing prevent more translocation and accumulation of Cu under more sever contaminated conditions, so this species could be used for grazing and forage production in copper contaminated environments.Safety forage assessment under a metal-contaminated environment using the three main indices described above is a novel idea.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles from Cyperus rotundus attenuates diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic retinopathy (DRP) is a retinal disease caused by diabetes mellitus, which is categorized by microvascular lesions present in the retina such as vascular leakage, vascular proliferation, and retinal ischemia. The plan of the present study was to the synthesis of Cyperus rotundus-loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (CR-ZnONPs) which was confirmed by the various characterization methods such as UV-vis spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. Also, the effect of CR-ZnONPs on DRP-induced rats was determined by food intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, insulin, retina thickness, inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, the status of oxidative stress marker genes (heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1] and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 [Nrf2]) and inflammatory marker (procaspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], IL-18, and ASC) expressions were examined by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis techniques. We noted that the synthesized CR-ZnONPs have a crystalline structure, spherical shape, and present various functional groups. The administration of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DRP rats were increased in the levels of HbA1c, FBG, food intake, LPO, and reduced levels of insulin, SOD, GPx, and CAT. In addition, the gene and protein expression showed the downregulation of HO-1 and Nrf2 and upregulation of procaspase-1, IL-1ß, cleaved-caspase-1, IL-18, and ASC in diabetic rats. Moreover, further histopathological analysis of retinal tissues again confirmed the results of biochemical parameters. In contrast, the DRP rats treated with CR-ZnONPs significantly brought down all the parameters to normal, which indicated that the CR-ZnONPs have better antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Therapeutic effects of Cyperus rotundus rhizome extract on memory impairment, neurogenesis and mitochondria in beta-amyloid rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disturbance leading to memory deficit, cognitive decline, and behavioral disturbance. Deposition of Amyloid beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangle and mitochondrial impairment are common neuropathological signs in AD. In this study, the effect of standardized Cyperus rotundus(C. rotundus) extract in three different doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg on memory, neurogenesis and mitochondrial mass in the beta amyloid rat model was assessed. For this purpose, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 7) to evaluate baseline training performance in Morris water maze test. Amyloid beta (Aß) was injected in animal hippocampal CA1 bilaterally in four groups. After 21 days, a decrease was observed in spending time in target quadrant in the first probe trial in Aß injected groups. Following that, 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg of C. rotundus extracts were administered to three out of four groups for a period of one month. BrdU (Bromodeoxyuridine) was intraperitoneally injected in all groups on the last 7 days of treatment. Then, 28 days after the last BrdU injection, the second probe trial was run, and rats were sacrificed. The neurogenesis and mitochondrial distribution were detected in hippocampus, by immunohistochemical staining. At last, it was observed that C. rotundus, almost recovered memory impairment, in addition to increasing in mitochondrial mass in CA1 and neurogenesis in dentate gyruse in the beta-amyloid rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

The in vitro and in vivo anti-hepatotoxic, anti-hepatitis B virus and hepatic CYP450 modulating potential of Cyperus rotundus.

In the present study we investigated the hepatotoprotective, hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitory and hepatic CYP450 enzyme (CYP3A4) modulatory potential of Cyperus rotundus rhizome fractions. The crude ethanol-extract, including different organic and aqueous fractions were tested for in vitro cytoprotection on HepG2 cells (MTT assay), followed by in vivo evaluation in Wistar rats (serum biochemistry and lipid profile). The in vitro anti-HBV activity was tested on HepG2.2.15 cells (HBsAg and HBeAg Elisa). Of these, the n-butanol and aqueous fractions showed the most promising, dose-dependent hepatoprotection in DCFH-injured HepG2 cells. Further, in CCl4-injured rats, oral administration of C. rotundus (100 and 200 mg/kg·bw/day) significantly normalized serum markers of healthy liver function (SGOT, SGPT, GGT, ALP and bilirubin) and lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TG and MDA), including tissue NP-SH and TP levels. Compared to other fractions, the ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions exhibited the best inhibitory effects on viral HBsAg and HBeAg secretions in dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, reporter gene assay (Dual-luciferase) of transfected HepG2 cells showed mild activation of nuclear PXR-mediated CYP3A4 gene by the three active fractions. Taken together, C. rotundus showed very promising hepatoprotective and anti-HBV potential in experimental settings. In addition, this is the first report on modulation of CYP3A4 by C. rotundus that suggests its safe consumption in relation to drug metabolism and efficacy. Our data could therefore, provide the basis for the ethnobotanical medicinal use of C. rotundus in metabolic liver disorder and hepatitis B patients.

Cyprotuoside C and Cyprotuoside D, Two New Cycloartane Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus.

Cyprotuoside C (1) and cyprotuoside D (2), two new cycloartane glycosides were isolated from the ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. Their structures were identified as 24R-9,10-seco-cycloartan-1(10),9(11)-dien-3ß,7ß,24,25-tetraol 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-25-O-ß-D-glucuronide (1) and 9,10-seco-cycloartan-1(10),9(11),23(24)-trien-3ß,7ß,25-triol 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-{α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]}-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-25-O-ß-D-glucuronide (2) by spectroscopic methods.

Neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects of the combined extract of Cyperus rotundus and Zingiber officinale.

BACKGROUND: Currently, food supplements to improve age-related dementia are required. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of the combined extract of Cyperus rotundus and Zingiber officinale (CP1) on the improvement of age-related dementia in rats with AF64A-induced memory deficits. METHODS: Male Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were orally given CP1 at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg.kg-1 BW for a period of 14 days after bilateral intracerebroventricular administration of AF64A. Spatial memory was assessed in all rats every 7 days throughout the 14 day-experimental period. At the end of the study, neuronal density, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, oxidative stress status and the activation of MAPK cascades in the hippocampus were determined. RESULTS: Enhanced memory, increased neuronal density, decreased AChE activity and decreased oxidative stress status together with activated pERK1/2 were observed in the hippocampus of CP1-treated rats. These results suggested that CP1 might improve memory via enhanced cholinergic function and decreased neurodegeneration and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: CP1 is a potential novel food supplement for dementia. However, further investigations on the subchronic toxicity of CP1 and drug interactions are required.

Comparative study on removal of enteric pathogens from domestic wastewater using Typha latifolia and Cyperus rotundus along with different substrates.

A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of different substrate materials along with macrophytes Typha latifolia and Cyperus rotundus in treating domestic wastewater intended for reuse in agriculture. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months with different retention times, and observations were taken twice per month. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) tests were used to determine statistical significant differences between experimental columns. Treatment with T. latifolia planted in sand and mix substrate with 4-day retention time remarkably reduced the concentration of all bacterial pathogens. Log reductions observed were approximately 5.01 and 4.82 for total coliform (TC), 4.46 and 3.93 for Escherichia coli, and 5.52 and 5.48 for Shigella, respectively. Moreover, these treatments were also efficient in completely removing fecal coliform (FC) and Salmonella.Maximum parasites were removed by the treatment having sand alone as a substrate containing C. rotundus, but the difference was not significant from those planted with T. latifolia in the same substrate. The results suggest that T. latifolia aids in bacterial pathogens removal, while C. rotundus aids in parasites removal. Thus, wastewater treatment through constructed wetland having mix plantation of these species along with sand can eliminate some of the major enteric pathogens.

New cycloartane glycosides from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus and their antidepressant activity.

Two new cycloartane glycosides, cyprotusides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of IR, MS, NMR spectroscopic analyses coupled with chemical degradation. The potential antidepressant activity of the two compounds was evaluated. In the despair mice models, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antidepressant activity.

[Chemical structure of cyperotundic acid from rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus].

Thirteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus(Xiangfu) by means of various chromatographic techniques(silica gel, Al2O3, Sephadex LH-20, MCI GEL CHP-20P and HPLC), and their structures were identified as cyperotundic acid(1),(4S, 5E, 10R)-7-oxo-trinoreudesm-5-en-4ß-ol(2), 4-hydroxy-4, 7-dimethyl-1-tetralone(3), taraxerone(4), dammaradienyl acetate(5), zeorin(6), sarmentine(7), guineensine(8), pellitorine(9), caprolactam(10), liriodendrin(11), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-hydroxy-1-(E)-propenyl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy]propyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside(12)and 1-(3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1E-tetradecene(13) by extensive spectroscopic analyses(IR, MS, 1D-and 2D-NMR). Compound 1 was a new rearranged sesquiterpene and named as cyperotundic acid, which did not obey the isoprene rule.Compounds 2-13 were obtained from the genus Cyperus for the first time.

Effect of Cyperus Rotundus on Cytokine Gene Expression in Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: The protective effect of the chloroform extract of Cyperus rotundus (CHCR) is attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Cytokines, important regulators of inflammation and repair, play a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Targeting these cytokines can effectively ameliorate the symptoms of IBD. The aim of the present study was to unravel the molecular mechanism through cytokine regulation in rats in experimental IBD. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 5 groups (n=6). Group I served as the normal control. Group II served as the vehicle control and received 50% ethanol intracolonically on day 11 of the study. Group III served as the model control. Group IV and Group V were given standard drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) and CHCR (800 mg/kg), respectively, for 18 days once a day orally. Colitis was induced with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (180 mg/kg in 50% ethanol) intracolonically in groups III-V on day 11 of the study. On day 18, the rats were euthanized and colon tissues were removed for IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-gamma gene expression studies using quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-gamma were upregulated in the model control rats. Pretreatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) and CHCR (800 mg/kg) significantly decreased the fold of the expression of the above cytokines. CONCLUSION: CHCR acts as a molecular brake and downregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes; this is beneficial for reducing the severity of the experimental IBD. Thus, Cyperus rotundus is a safe, economical, and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with IBD.

Effect of incorporation of Cyperus rotundus L. rhizome powder on quality attributes of minced beef meat.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the biological effectiveness of C. rotundus rhizome powder (CRRP) in improving the quality, storability, and safety of minced beef meat. CRRP was analyzed for its flavonoid and polyphenol content, antioxidants and antimicrobial activity, and its effect on the chemical properties, microbiological and sensory quality of minced beef meat. The results revealed that CRRP had a flavonoid and polyphenol contents of 24.30 mg CE/g and 353.10 mg GAE/g, respectively. The aqueous extract of CRRP showed inhibition zones of 16.3 and 11.7 mm against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The CRRP exhibited greater increase in TRPA, chelation of Fe2+ ions, and scavenging of H2O2 with the increase in CRRP extract concentration. Incorporation of various concentration of CRRP in minced beef meat significantly affected the physicochemical properties, microbial load, and sensory quality of the product. The effect was concentration dependent, and the highest level of CRRP (5 %) was more effective in retarding microbial growth and reducing peroxidation, but it negatively affected the sensory quality of the product. Therefore, CRRP at 2.5 % concentration was recommended as a functional additive to preserve minced meat.

LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of total oligomeric flavonoid fraction of Cyperus rotundus and its antioxidant, macromolecule damage protective and antihemolytic effects.

In the present investigation, we identified the phytochemical constituents of total oligomeric flavonoid fraction (TOF) of Cyperus rotundus by LC-ESI-MS/MS and also demonstrated its antihemolytic effects against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) induced hemolysis of rat erythrocytes. Our results of TOF extract exhibited DPPH, metal chelating, ABTS, NO and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities with an IC50 values of 23.72±1.6, 52.45±2.88, 9.8±0.42, 6.5±0.33 and 120±6.83µg/ml respectively, whereas total antioxidant and reducing power activities were 194±12.5µg GAE/mg extract and 145±8.3µg AAE/mg extract. The extract showed potent inhibitory activity against AAPH induced plasmid DNA damage, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. The TOF extract mitigates AAPH induced hemolysis and exhibits ∼50% antihemolytic activity. TOF pretreatment also preserved morphology of erythrocytes as observed and measured by light microscope and atomic force microscope analysis. Furthermore, the TOF fraction effectively inhibited AAPH induced LDH release, ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. Taken together, our data demonstrate the antihemolytic activity of C. rotundus against AAPH induced oxidative stress of erythrocytes, and was associated with the decrease in oxidative stress, cellular damage and protection of macromolecules. In conclusion, the effects might be correlated with high content of flavonoids and polyphenols identified in C. rotundus. This suggests the clinical application of TOF fraction of C. rotundus against ROS induced cell death.

Topical Cyperus rotundus oil: a new therapeutic modality with comparable efficacy to Alexandrite laser photo-epilation.

BACKGROUND: Topical Cyperus rotundus oil is an effective and safe method to decrease hair growth. The oil's flavonoids have antiandrogenic activity on androgenic hair. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials comparing topical C rotundus oil to the available allopathic modalities, such as laser-assisted hair removal. OBJECTIVES: In an open-label pilot study, the author prospectively evaluated the efficacy of C rotundus essential oil, compared with the Alexandrite laser (GentleLase; Candela Laser Corp, Wayland, Massachusetts) and saline, for reducing unwanted axillary hair. METHODS: Eligible participants (n=65) with unwanted axillary hair were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 study groups: topical C rotundus oil (group 1), saline (group 2), and Alexandrite laser (group 3). Sixty patients completed the entire study. Three methods were used to evaluate the results: hair counts, observations of independent professionals, and patient self-assessments. RESULTS: Overall results did not differ significantly between C rotundus oil and the Alexandrite laser (P>.05). However, statistically significant differences were noted with respect to decreased growth of white hair (P<.05), favoring the oil. This finding was evident by all 3 methods of assessment. No side effects were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Cyperus rotundus essential oil is as effective as the Alexandrite laser for decreasing the growth of axillary hair (both dark and white). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.