CYPERUS SCARIOSUS: A POTENTIAL MEDICINAL HERB

Abstract

Herbal products demand is growing exponentially throughout the world and various pharmaceutical sectors are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials for their potential medicinal value. Cyperus scariosus have been widely used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, antimicrobial, hypotensive, stimulant of central nervous system, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, analgesic. It contains essential oil, terpenoids, sesquiterpenes, hydrocarbons, steroidal saponins, ketones and flavonoids. It remained to be an important ingredient of several prescriptions used in indigenous system of medicine to treat a variety of diseases including diarrhea, epilepsy, gonorrhea, syphilis and liver damage. The essential oil obtained on steam distillation of rhizomes of the plant has its value in perfumary and is also known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antidepressant and spasmolytic activities. The present review article provides an overview on potent pharmacological properties exhibited by this plant.