Investigating the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of three plants from the Cyperaceae family

In this study, researchers investigated the antimicrobial, antioxidant and chemical properties of plants from the Cyperaceae (sedges) family. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.

• Some members of the Cyperaceae family have been extensively studied for their bioactive compounds.
• For their experiment, the researchers investigated plants like Kyllinga odorata (fragrant spikesedge), Oxycaryum cubensis (Cuban bulrush) and Rhynchospora nervosa (star rush).
• They prepared hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial and underground parts of these plants and analyzed their phytochemical content.
• They also quantified the extracts’ total flavonoid and phenol content, and evaluated their in vitro antioxidant activity.
• In addition, the researchers evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of the three extracts, as well as analyzed their active components using chromatography.
• The researchers identified several active phytochemicals, such as chlorogenic acid, myricitrin, catechin, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, chrysin and rutin.
• The hydroalcoholic extract of R. nervosa aerial parts contained the highest amount of flavonoids and total phenols, suggesting a direct relation with the excellent antioxidant activity shown by the extract.
• Meanwhile, the chloroform fraction of underground parts of R. nervosa, O. cubensis and K. odorata showed the greatest inhibitory effect against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 15.6, 31.2 and 62 mcg/mL, respectively.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the aerial parts of R. nervosa are good sources of antioxidant agents, while the underground parts of the three plants are excellent sources of natural antimicrobial agents.

Journal Reference:

Jose JLB, Ticiano GDN, Regianne UK, Ana PDNP, Patrícia MDM, Samia ASDS, Cecilia NDM. PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, CHROMATOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THREE SPECIES OF THE CYPERACEAE JUSS. FAMILY. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 25 July 2019;13(14):312–320. DOI: 10.5897/jmpr2019.6796