Cyperus rotundus is a perennial herb native to India, possessing various pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, hypolipidemic, weight management, antiplatelet, gastrointestinal, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic and many other effects (Al-Snafi AE, 2016).
The major organic chemicals isolated from various parts of the Cyperus species include quinonoid pigments, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids and stilbene derivatives. Several monoterpenoids, amino acids and fatty acids are also reported.
Stilbenes are polyphenols with vast biological applications. They are phytoalexins, which are antimicrobial compounds produced to protect the plant from fungal infection and toxin. Many naturally occurring stilbene compounds like Resveratrol, Oxyresveratrol, Piceatannol, Pterostilbene, and their analogs have multi-functional effects. The extract of dried, pulverized rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus was reported to contain Scirpusin A, Scirpusin B, and Piceatannol as major compounds.
