Abstract

ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS: A REVIEW

Dr. Nikhil Chaudhari* and Dr. Ninad Sathe

Abstract

Musta, popularly known as nagarmotha traditionally and commonly as coco-grass/java grass/nut grass/purple nut sedge/purple nutsedge/red nut sedge (Cyperus rotundus)(Family:Cyperaceae), is a herbal plant in traditional ayurvedic medicine, which has since long used for treating fevers; digestive system disorders(diarrhea, vomiting,indigestion); emenagogue; analgesic in dysmenorrhea and as diuretic combined with other diuretics in urinary disorders; aromatic; antioxidant; hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic. This plant is pharmacologically and clinically evaluated for various activities like analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-convulsant, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-spasmoodic, antiemetic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, radical scavenger, antioxidant, anti-platelet, anti-pyretic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypolipidaemic, hypotensive and tranquilizer. It is promulgated to possess a wide range of many phytochemical constituents. The current review is presented to give a comprehensive account of all anti-cancer activity of Cyperus rotundus. It will be helpful to create interest towards musta and may be useful in developing new and economical anti-cancer formulations with more therapeutic value. The part used of the selected plant is rhizome. As per retrospective review essential oil, methanolic, ethanolic extract, etc. are found having anticancer activity against different cell lines of various origins and animal models. Also, it can be used as chemopreventive ingredient in the herbal anti-cancer formulation. Total 23 research articles, peer viewed research papers, abstracts and classical texts were reviewed and anti-cancer activity of musta was noted during this research review.

Keywords: Musta, nagarmotha, Cyperus rotundus, anti-cancer activity.