Cyperus spp.: A Review on Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Health-Promoting Effects

Exploring the synergistic effects of chuanxiong rhizoma and Cyperi rhizoma in eliciting a rapid anti-migraine action based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Herb-herb combination has been used to maximize the therapeutic efficacy in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Chuanxiong rhizoma (called Chuanxiong in Chinese, CX) and Cyperi rhizoma (called Xiangfu in Chinese, XF) have been used alone or in combination (CRCR) to treat migraine dating back to Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD317) of China. But no data demonstrate the possible necessities or advantages of combining CX and XF for migraine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explores the combination mechanism based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nitroglycerin-induced acute migraine model in rats was used to evaluate the anti-migraine effects of CRCR and the individual herbs using behavior, real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiments. The absorption characteristics of active components involved in the anti-migraine action were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

CX and CRCR significantly reversed the abnormal levels of vasoactive substances (5-HT, CGRP, MMP-2 and MMP-9) to normal levels, but XF did not. XF and CRCR significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-a), and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). CRCR significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of c-fos, iNos and nNos, and the corresponding protein expression levels of c-Fos, iNOS, and nNOS. CRCR inhibited NOS/NO pathway by downregulating the expression levels of NOS and NO. Furthermore, CRCR significantly increased the intestinal absorption rate and amount, and changed the pharmacokinetic parameters of active components in comparison with the individual herbs.

CONCLUSIONS

CX had an advantage in regulating vasoactive substances, and XF focused on regulating inflammatory cytokines. CRCR is more effective in treating migraine than the individual herbs by depending on the synergistic action of CX and XF. This research provided some critical evidences on synergistic action between herb-herb interactions, and revealed the potential advantages of herb-herb combination in traditional Chinese medicine.

Bio-inspired designs: leveraging biological brilliance in mechanical engineering-an overview

Nature's evolutionary mastery has perfected design over the years, yielding organisms superbly adapted to their surroundings. This research delves into the promising domain of bio-inspired designs, poised to revolutionize mechanical engineering. Leveraging insights drawn from prior conversations, we categorize innovations influenced by life on land, in water, and through the air, emphasizing their pivotal contributions to mechanical properties. Our comprehensive review reveals a wealth of bio-inspired designs that have already made substantial inroads in mechanical engineering. From avian-inspired lightweight yet robust materials to hydrodynamically optimized forms borrowed from marine creatures, these innovations hold immense potential for enhancing mechanical systems. In conclusion, this study underscores the transformative potential of bio-inspired designs, offering improved mechanical characteristics and the promise of sustainability and efficiency across a broad spectrum of applications. This research envisions a future where bio-inspired designs shape the mechanical landscape, fostering a more harmonious coexistence between human technology and the natural world.

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Resources Against Endometriosis: Current Advances and Future Perspectives

Endometriosis (EMS) is defined as the appearance, growth, infiltration, and repeated bleeding of endometrioid tissue (glands and stroma) outside the uterus cavity, which can form nodules and masses. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory estrogen-dependent disease and occurs in women of reproductive age. This disorder may significantly affect the quality of life of patients. The pathogenic processes involved in the development and maintenance of endometriosis remain unclear. Current treatment options for endometriosis mainly include drug therapy and surgery. Drug therapy mainly ties to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormonal drugs. However, these drugs may produce adverse effects when used for long-term treatment of endometriosis, such as nausea, vomiting gastrointestinal reactions, abnormal liver and kidney function, gastric ulcers, and thrombosis. Although endometriosis lesions can be surgically removed, the disease has a high recurrence rate after surgical resection, with a recurrence rate of 21.5% within 2 years and 40% to 50% within 5 years. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop alternative or additional therapies for the treatment of endometriosis. In this review, we give a systematic summary of therapeutic multiple component prescriptions (including traditional Chinese medicine and so on), bioactive crude extracts of plants/herbs and purified compounds and their newly found mechanisms reported in literature in recent years against endometriosis.

Effective management Alopecia totalis by Ayurveda - A case report

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune illness characterized by intermittent, non-scarring hair loss, Alopecia totalis(AT) is a type of AA characterized by total hair loss on the face and scalp. Unfortunately, it is projected that 10-15 % of people with AA will advance to total hair loss on the scalp (AT) or hair loss on the scalp and body Alopecia Universalis (AU) only 10 % of patients with AT/AU recover completely. Treatment for severe AA is often unsatisfactory. The most popular AT/AU therapy techniques were topical steroid application and oral steroid administration. We present a case of Alopecia totalis that was treated with cupping therapy and ayurvedic treatments such as Punarnava Mandoor, manjistadi Kashaya, asanadi gana Kashaya, purnachandrodaya rasa, a churna combo, and Malatyadi and Dhurdhurapatradi taila for external application over scalp. The treatment's effectiveness is due to the synergistic action of all the herbs and the immunostimulant activity of cupping.

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by a Single Marker Combined with GC Fingerprints and Chemometrics

BACKGROUND

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QXPs) are a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically for qi stagnation and blood stasis. The current quality control of QXPs in the ministry standards and the reported literature is minimal, and requires improvement.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze and determine the active ingredients in QXPs for its overall evaluation.

METHODS

In this study, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was established to simultaneously determine caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, ligustilide, and α-cyperone in QXPs by GC. Moreover, the GC fingerprints of 22 batches of samples were also established, and the common peaks were initially identified by GC-MS, then classified in various dimensions using chemometric methods, and the main markers causing the discrepancies between groups were analyzed by orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA).

RESULTS

Compared with an internal standard method (ISM), the determination results obtained by QAMS had no significant difference. Twenty-two common peaks were distinguished in the fingerprint of 22 batches of QXPs, 17 of which were identified, and the similarity of the fingerprints was greater than 0.898. The 22 batches of QXPs were roughly divided into 3 categories, and 12 main markers causing the discrepancies were discovered.

CONCLUSION

The established QAMS method combined with the GC fingerprint and chemometrics is convenient and feasible, which helps to improve the quality evaluation of QXPs and provides a demonstration for the related study of compound preparations and single herbs.

HIGHLIGHTS

QAMS combined with a GC fingerprint and chemometrics method was established to evaluate the quality of QXPs for the first time.

The ethanol extract of Cyperus exaltatus var. iwasakii exhibits cell cycle dysregulation, ERK1/2/p38 MAPK/AKT phosphorylation, and reduced MMP-9-mediated metastatic capacity in prostate cancer models in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide in men. The development of novel and highly efficient therapeutic strategies is strongly recommended to treat prostate cancer. Cyperaceae are an ecologically and economically important family of plants with several pharmacological effects. However, the biological efficacy of Cyperus exaltatus var. iwasakii (CE) is unknown.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of the ethanol extract of CE against prostate cancer.

METHODS

In vitro antitumor efficacy of CE was explored by the MTT assay, cell counting assay, FACS analysis, immunoblot, wound-healing migration, invasion assay, zymographic assay, and EMSA in prostate cancer cells, DU145 and LNCaP. For in vivo experiments, xenograft mice were injected with LNCaP cells. Histology (H&E and Ki-67) and biochemical enzyme assay were then performed. The toxicity test was evaluated by an acute toxicity assay. The phytochemical constituents of CE were identified by spectrometric and chromatographic analyses.

RESULTS

CE exerted a significant antiproliferative effect against prostate cancer cells. CE-induced antiproliferative cells were associated with cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ (cyclin D1/CDK4, cyclin E/CDK2, p21^Waf1) in DU145 cells, but G₂/M (ATR, CHK1, Cdc2, Cdc25c, p21^Waf1, and p53) in LNCaP cells. CE stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and AKT in DU145 cells, but only p38 MAPK phosphorylation was increased in LNCaP cells. CE treatment suppressed migration and invasion in the two types of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting MMP-9 activity through the regulation of transcription factors, such as AP-1 and NF-κB. In vivo experiments showed a reduction in tumor weight and size following oral CE administration. Histochemistry confirmed that CE inhibited tumor growth in the mouse LNCaP xenograft model. The administration of CE had no adverse effects on body weight, behavioral patterns, blood biochemistry, and histopathology findings of vital organs in mice. Finally, a total of 13 phytochemical constituents were identified and quantified in CE. The most abundant secondary metabolites in CE were astragalin, tricin, and p-coumaric acid.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of CE against prostate cancer. These findings suggest that CE might be a potential candidate for prostate cancer prevention or treatment.

Phytochemistry, data mining, pharmacology, toxicology and the analytical methods of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae): a comprehensive review

Cyperus rotundus L. has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases in traditional systems of medicine around the world, such as nervous, gastrointestinal systems diseases and inflammation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its rhizomes are frequently used to treat liver disease, stomach pain, breast tenderness, dysmenorrheal and menstrual irregularities. The review is conducted to summarize comprehensively the plant's vernacular names, distribution, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and analytical methods, along with the data mining for TCM prescriptions containing C. rotundus. Herein, 552 compounds isolated or identified from C. rotundus were systematically collated and classified, concerning monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics and phenolic glycosides, triterpenoids and steroids, diterpenoids, quinonoids, alkaloids, saccharides and others. Their pharmacological effects on the digestive system, nervous system, gynecological diseases, and other bioactivities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, insect repellent, anti-microbial activity, etc. were summarized accordingly. Moreover, except for the data mining on the compatibility of C. rotundus in TCM, the separation, identification and analytical methods of C. rotundus compositions were also systematically summarized, and constituents of the essential oils from different regions were re-analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. In addition, the toxicological study progresses on C. rotundus revealed the safety property of this herb. This review is designed to serve as a scientific basis and theoretical reference for further exploration into the clinical use and scientific research of C. rotundus.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary materials available at 10.1007/s11101-023-09870-3.

Steroids and Fatty Acid Esters from Cyperus sexangularis Leaf and Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Elastase Properties

Cyperus sexangularis (CS) is a plant in the sedges family (Cyperaceae) that grows abundantly in swampy areas. The leaf sheath of plants in the Cyperus genus are mostly used domestically for mat making, while they are implicated for skin treatment in traditional medicine. The plant was investigated for its phytochemical contents as well as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-elastase properties. The n-hexane and dichloromethane leaf extracts were chromatographed on a silica gel column to afford compounds 1-6. The compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The inhibitory effect of each compound against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and ferric ion radicals were determined by standard in vitro antioxidant methods. The in vitro anti-inflammatory response was measured using egg albumin denaturation (EAD) assay, while the anti-elastase activity of each compound in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells was also monitored. The compounds were characterized as three steroidal derivatives, stigmasterol (1), 17-(1-methyl-allyl)-hexadecahydro-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene (2) and β-sitosterol (3), dodecanoic acid (4) and two fatty acid esters, ethyl nonadecanoate (5) and ethyl stearate (6). Stigmasterol (1) exhibited the best biological properties, with IC₅₀ of 38.18 ± 2.30 µg/mL against DPPH, 68.56 ± 4.03 µg/mL against NO and 303.58 ± 10.33 µAAE/mg against Fe³⁺. At 6.25 µg/mL, stigmasterol inhibited EAD by 50%. This activity was lower when compared to diclofenac (standard), which demonstrated 75% inhibition of the protein at the same concentration. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 showed comparable anti-elastase activity with an IC₅₀ ≥ 50 µg/mL, whereas the activity of ursolic acid (standard) was double fold with an IC₅₀ of 24.80 ± 2.60 µg/mL when compared to each of the compounds. In conclusion, this study has identified three steroids (1-3), one fatty acid (4), and two fatty acid esters (5 and 6) in C. sexangularis leaf for the first time. The compounds showed considerable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-elastase properties. Thus, the findings may serve as a justification for the folkloric use of the plant as a local skin ingredient. It may also serve to validate the biological role of steroids and fatty acid compounds in cosmeceutical formulations.

Influence of Partially Substituting Wheat Flour with Tiger Nut Flour on the Physical Properties, Sensory Quality, and Consumer Acceptance of Tea, Sugar, and Butter Bread

Tiger nut is a valuable source of fiber, lipids, minerals, and carbohydrates. However, avenues for incorporating tiger nuts into food remain underexplored, especially in several tropical countries where the plant grows well. The current study investigated the effects of partially substituting wheat flour (WF) with tiger nut flour (TNF) on the physical and sensory properties of different bread types to evaluate the more amenable system for tiger nut incorporation. The substitution was done at WF:TNF ratio of 100 : 0, 90 : 10, 85 : 15, 80 : 20, 75 : 25, and 70 : 30 for butter bread (B_b), tea bread (T_b), and sugar bread (S_b). The results show that WF substitution with TNF increased bread brownness and color saturation and decreased lightness, showing the highest impact on S_b, followed by T_b and B_b. Additionally, bread-specific volume decreased significantly after 20% (B_b), 25% (T_b), and 30% (S_b) TNF substitution. Furthermore, substituting WF with 30% TNF increased crumb hardness from approx. 1.87 N to 3.64 N (B_b), 3.46 N to 8.14 N (T_b), and 6.71 N to 11.39 N (S_b) and caused significant increases to 17.80 N (T_b) and 21.08 N (S_b) after 3 d storage. Only a marginal effect on storage hardness (4.32 N) was observed for B_b. Substituting WF with 10% TNF for B_b or 25% TNF for T_b led to significantly higher consumer (N = 56) scores for all attributes and overall acceptability. However, no significant effect on the overall acceptability of S_b was observed. Flash profiling showed frequently used descriptors for B_b as firm, moist, buttery, smooth, and astringent. After 10% TNF substitution, descriptors were chewy, firm, sweet, porous, dry, and caramel, and that of 30% TNF were grainy, chocolate, brown, nutty, and flaky. Substituting WF with TNF increased the lipids, fiber, and minerals content but decreased the protein and carbohydrate contents of bread. TNF substitution led to different physical and sensory effects depending on bread type, showing that B_b with 10% or T_b with 25% TNF is more comparable with the overall acceptance quality of 100% WF. The study is relevant for utilizing tiger nuts as an ingredient in bread products.

Systematic review of ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Cyperi Rhizoma

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR) is the dry rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L., a Cyperaceae plant. It has a long history of clinical medication and is known as the “holy medicine” of gynecology. CR smells sweet and bitter. It has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression, regulating qi, regulating meridian and relieving pain. It can be used to treat liver qi stagnation, chest pain, spleen and stomach qi stagnation, hernia pain, irregular menstruation and other diseases. At present, the main chemical constituents isolated from CR are volatile oil, flavonoids and terpenes. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that CR has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antidepressant, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. In this paper, the botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, processing and other aspects of CR are reviewed. At the same time, the shortcomings of current research of CR are discussed in depth, and the possible solutions are put forward in order to find a breakthrough point for future research of CR.

Effects of Enzymatic Modification and Cross-Linking with Sodium Phytate on the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Cyperus esculentus Starch

In this study, C. esculentus porous starch (PS) and C. esculentus cross-linked porous starch (CPS) were prepared by enzymatic modification and sodium phytate cross-linking, and their physicochemical and structural properties were determined. The results showed that the adsorption and emulsification capacities of PS were 1.3606 g/g and 22.6 mL/g, respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.5419 g/g and 4.2 mL/g of C. esculentus starch (NS). The retrogradation curves of starch paste showed that the stability of PS was inferior to that of NS. In addition, the results of texture analysis showed that the gel strength of PS was also significantly reduced relative to NS. The PS exhibited a rough surface with pores and low molecular order and crystallinity according to scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X ray diffractometer (XRD) analyses. As compared to PS, CPS still presented a high adsorption capacity of 1.2744 g/g and the steadiness of starch paste was significantly better. XPS demonstrated the occurrence of the cross-linking reaction. Our results show that enzyme modification and dual modification by combining enzymatic treatment with sodium phytate cross-linking can impart different structures and functions to starch, creating reference material for the application of modified starch from C. esculentus.

Chemical Composition and Bioactive Antioxidants Obtained by Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Cyperus esculentus L. By-products: A Valorization Approach

Tiger nut is highly appreciated in the Mediterranean basin by the large number of nutritional advantages offered by a beverage, called "horchata," which is directly obtained from the tuber of Cyperus esculentus L. However, the current tiger nut harvesting and processing practices generate a large number of residues, mainly a solid by-product after processing and the plant that remains spread out in the fields. In this work the plant residues have been fully characterized to get a clear picture of the possibilities for its valorization to generate products with high added value. Several analytical techniques have been applied to obtain data to assess the real possibilities of these residues in advanced applications in the food, packaging and nutrition sectors. Results on the compositional and elemental analysis, monosaccharide composition, phenolic concentration, and antioxidant capacity were obtained from the dry powder (DP). The high content of α-cellulose (47.2 ± 1.8%) in DP could open new possibilities for these residues as raw material in the production of cellulose nanoentities. Many essential minerals with nutritional interest (Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn) and free sugars (xylose, arabinose, glucose, and galacturonic acid) were identified in the DP making it an interesting source of valuable nutrients. The total carbohydrate content was 171 ± 31 mg gdm -1. In addition, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was used to obtain extracts rich in polyphenolic compounds. A Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used, and the optimal extraction conditions predicted by the model were 80°C, 18 min, ethanol concentration 40% (v/v), and solvent volume 77 mL, showing an extraction yield of 2.27 ± 0.09%, TPC value was 136 ± 3 mg GAE 100 gdm -1 and antioxidant capacity by the ABTS method was 8.41 ± 0.09 μmol trolox gdm -1. Other assays (FRAP and DPPH) were also tested, confirming the high antioxidant capacity of DP extracts. Some polyphenols were identified and quantified: p-coumaric (7.67 ± 0.16 mg 100 gdm -1), ferulic (4.07 ± 0.01 mg 100 gdm -1), sinapinic (0.50 ± 0.01 mg 100 gdm -1) and cinnamic acids (1.10 ± 0.03 mg 100 gdm -1), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1.28 ± 0.06 mg 100 gdm -1), luteolin (1.03 ± 0.01 mg 100 gdm -1), and naringenin (0.60 ± 0.01 mg 100 gdm -1). It can be concluded that C. esculentus L. residues obtained from the tiger nut harvesting and horchata processing could be an important source of high value compounds with potential uses in different industrial sectors, while limiting the environmental hazards associated with the current agricultural practices.

Effect of Yakae-Prajamduen-Jamod Traditional Thai Remedy on Cognitive Impairment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model and Its Mechanism of Action

Cognitive impairment is a neurological symptom caused by reduced estrogen levels in menopausal women. The Thai traditional medicine, Yakae-Prajamduen-Jamod (YPJ), is a formula consisting of 23 medicinal herbs and has long been used to treat menopausal symptoms in Thailand. In the present study, we investigated the effects of YPJ on cognitive deficits and its underlying mechanisms of action in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, an animal model of menopause. OVX mice showed cognitive deficits in the Y-maze, the novel object recognition test, and the Morris water maze. The serum corticosterone (CORT) level was significantly increased in OVX mice. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were reduced, while the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines were up-regulated in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of OVX mice. These alterations were attenuated by daily treatment with either YPJ or 17β-estradiol. HPLC analysis revealed that YPJ contained antioxidant and phytoestrogen constituents including gallic acid, myricetin, quercetin, luteolin, genistein, and coumestrol. These results suggest that YPJ exerts its ameliorative effects on OVX-induced cognitive deficits in part by mitigating HPA axis overactivation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative brain damage. Therefore, YPJ may be a novel alternative therapeutic medicine suitable for the treatment of cognitive deficits during the menopausal transition.