Effects of Cyperus articulatus compared to effects of anticonvulsant compounds on the cortical wedge

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 µM). 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.

Chemical Composition and Antiproliferative Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae)

Cyperus articulatus L. (Priprioca) is a plant of the Cyperaceae family traditionally used in traditional medicine in the Amazon region. Studies of the essential oil of this species have identified many terpene compounds. However, little is known about the possible uses of solid waste generated by the extraction of essential oils. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of volatile compounds and to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of the ethanolic extract of solid residues generated by the extraction of the essential oil of C. articulatus L. rizhomes in experimental models in vitro using peritoneal macrophages of mice and human tumor cell lines. The analysis of the chemical composition of volatile compounds indicated the presence of sesquiterpenes and particularly sequiterpenic ketones as main constituents. The results showed that the treatment with ethanolic extract of C. articulatus L. reduced the activity of the enzyme arginase and proliferation of cancer cells (p < 0.0001). The extract also showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages in concentrations between 12.5; 25 and 50 mg/mL (p < 0.0001). The results indicated that the extract of C. articulatus L. exerts antiproliferative activity (p < 0.0001) with low toxicity on healthy cells in experimental models in vitro.

Zebrafish bioassay-guided isolation of antiseizure compounds from the Cameroonian medicinal plant Cyperus articulatus L

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting more than 50 million people worldwide, of whom 80% live in low- and middle-income countries. Due to the limited availability of antiseizure drugs (ASDs) in these countries, medicinal plants are the first-line treatment for most epilepsy patients. In Cameroon, a decoction of Cyperus articulatus L. rhizomes is traditionally used to treat epilepsy.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to identify and isolate the active compounds responsible for the antiseizure activity of C. articulatus in order to confirm both its traditional medicinal usage and previous in vivo studies on extracts of this plant in mouse epilepsy models.

METHODS

The dried rhizomes of C. articulatus were extracted with solvents of increasing polaritie (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water). A traditional decoction and an essential oil were also prepared. These extracts were evaluated for antiseizure activity using a larval zebrafish seizure model with seizures induced by the GABAA antagonist pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The hexane extract demonstrated the highest antiseizure activity and was therefore selected for bioassay-guided fractionation. The isolated bioactive compounds were characterized by classical spectroscopic methods. Since they were found to be volatile, they were quantified by GC-FID. In addition, the absorption of the active compounds through the gastrointestinal tract and the blood-brain barrier was evaluated using a hexadecane and a blood-brain barrier parallel artificial membrane permeability assays (HDM-PAMPA and PAMPA-BBB).

RESULTS

The hexane extract of C. articulatus exhibited the highest antiseizure activity with a reduction of 93% of PTZ-induced seizures, and was therefore subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation in order to isolate the active principles. Four sesquiterpenoids were identified as cyperotundone (1), mustakone (2), 1,2-dehydro-α-cyperone (3) and sesquichamaenol (4) and exhibited significant antiseizure activity. These volatile compounds were quantified by GC in the hexane extract, the essential oil and the simulated traditional decoction. In addition, the constituents of the hexane extract including compounds 1 and 2 were found to cross the gastrointestinal barrier and the major compound 2 crossed the blood-brain barrier as well.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the antiseizure activity of various sesquiterpene compounds from a hexane extract of C. articulatus dried rhizomes and support its use as a traditional treatment for epilepsy.

Anticonvulsant effect of ethanolic extract of Cyperus articulatus L. leaves on pentylenetetrazol induced seizure in mice

Cyperus articulatus (CA) rhizomes have demonstrated different properties on nervous system. However, the leaves still have not studied to treat epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CA ethanolic extract on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced seizures in mice as well as measuring its antioxidant activity in vivo and in vitro. Mice were divided into five groups: (1) control (PTZ 80 mg/kg; i.p.), (2) PTZ-Diazepam (1 mg/kg; i.p.), (3-5) PTZ-CA 50, PTZ-CA 150 and PTZ-CA 300 (50, 150 and 300 mg/kg of CA extract, 30 min prior to each PTZ injection). The PTZ-CA 150 group showed lower seizure scores (P < 0.01), latency (P < 0.01), frequency (P < 0.01) and duration (P < 0.01) than control group. The antioxidant activity of CA extract scavenged DPPH radical showed IC 50 = 16.9 ± 0.1 μg/mL and TEAC = 2.28 ± 0.08, mmol trolox/g of extract, the content of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly high (P < 0.01) at dose of 150 mg/kg (82 ± 1.2 ng/g tissue; 1.0 ± 2.2 mol/g tissue, respectively). The present research demonstrated that CA extract possesses a potential effect to prevent PTZ induced seizures, antioxidant activity in addition to increase GABA levels.

Is There Any Scientific Basis of Hawan to be used in Epilepsy-Prevention/Cure?

Epilepsy is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with religiosity and spirituality. Nasal drug delivery systems are the best for diseases related to brain. In older times RishiMuni, ancient scholars and physicians used to recommend Hawan for mental peace and well being. Gayatri Mantra also tells that sughandhim (aroma, fragrance) puushtivardhanam (gives rise to good health). Om triambkum yajamahe, sughandhim puushtivardhanam, urvarukmev vandhanaat, mrityu mokshay mamritaat! Hawan is a scientific experiment in which special herbs (Hawan Samagri) are offered in the fire of medicinal woods ignited in a specially designed fire pit called agnikuñda. Hawan seems to be designed by the ancient scholars to fight with the diseases of the brain. Our metadata analysis demonstrates that the components of Hawan are having a number of volatile oils that are specifically useful for epilepsy through one or the other mechanism of action. Due to high temperature of fire the vapors of these oils enter into the central nervous system through nasal route. The routine of performing Hawan might keep the threshold value of the therapeutic components in the body and help in preventing epilepsy. In the present manuscript authors have tried to highlight and integrate the modern and ancient concepts for treatment and prevention of epilepsy.

Ions and amino acid analysis of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) extracts and the effects of the latter on oocytes expressing some receptors

Extracts from rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) used in Africa and Amazonia to treat many diseases has been shown to possess sedative and anticonvulsant properties. The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism of action of Cyperus articulatus extracts. In Xenopus oocytes expressing receptors, using electrophysiological measurement, extracts of rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus (300 microg/ml) inhibited 50% of the EC(50) and EC(80) of glutamate (1.3 and 2.9 microM, respectively) induced inward current through hNMDAR1A/2A receptors. Extracts induced very small current through rGluR3 receptors. The largest current induced by the extract (30 mg/ml) represents 128% of the EC(100) of glutamate induced inward current, through rGluR3 receptors. The excess 28% current could be induced by aspartate and/or glutamate in the extracts. The effect on Xenopus oocytes expressing heteromeric GABA(B)R1b/R2 receptors and rectifying potassium channels (Kir3) is clear. A decoction and water extract of Cyperus articulatus induced a large inward current that represented 71 and 57% (respectively) of the EC(100) of gaba (30 microM) induced inward current. The water extract induced also a large current through rectifying potassium channels (Kir3). Part of the current induced through GABA(B) receptors could be related to rectifying potassium channels and GABA(B) site receptors. Cyperus articulatus extracts possessed components that could decrease excitation (NMDA receptor antagonists) and increase inhibition (GABA(B) receptor agonists) in the central nervous system.