Abstract

CYPERUS SCARIOSUS ROXB A HERB WITH UNANI TRADITIONAL USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY: A REVIEW

*Arshiya Sultana¹, Khaleeq Ur Rahman², Padmaja AR³, Ateeq Ur Rahman⁴

Abstract

Cyperus scariosus Roxb. is known as nagarmotha in Unani medicine, belongs to the family Cyperaceae. The plant is widely distributed in India, especially in south India. It is found in damp areas of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, eastern and southern parts of India. It is highlyprized in India for its roots and is used in aromatherapy, as a perfume and for many other purposes. The plant rhizomes has a folkloric reputation as cordial, desiccant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emenagogue, tonic, and vermifuge. The traditional and Unani medicine practitioners prescribes it to treat a various diseases including diarrhoea, epilepsy, gonorrhea, syphilis and liver damage. The qualitative phytochemical study of this plant extract indicates the presence of organic and inorganic substance such as sodium, calcium, potassium and tannin, steroid, terpenoid, phenolics and resin respectively. It also contains consituents like cyperenol, patchoulenol, rotundene, rotundenol, etc. It mainly possesses antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, hypotensive, spasmolytic, hepato-protective, immunosuppresive etc activities. This manuscript is a mini review to search the correlation between the traditional uses proven by recent researches and furthermore, other researches are also highlighted, which are not reported in classical texts.

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