Cyperus esculentus L. protects testis and sperm morphology of hyperglycaemic rats / Cyperus esculentus L. protege la morfología de los testículos y los espermatozoides de ratas hiperglicémicas

Cyperus esculentus L. (tiger nut) is a tuberous plant that promotes and protects reproductive functions, which are usually hampered in diabetics. The present study investigated the effect of Cyperus esculentus tuber extract (CETE) on testicular histology and sperm viability of alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats weighing 150-200g and grouped into five (n=5): Group 1, the control, administered tap water (20mL/kg), while groups 2-5 were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (120mg/kg b.w.) of alloxan, and each further received orally tap water (20mL/kg), CETE (100mg/kg), CETE (500 mg/kg) and metformin (500 mg/kg), respectively for 21 days. The animals were sacrificed, their sperm collected for analysis, while the testes were harvested, and processed for histology. Results showed significantly increased (p<0.05) blood glucose and testosterone, and significantly decreased (p<0.05) sperm pH, motility, count, morphology and density, as well as disruptions and hypertrophy of the spermatogenic and Sertoli cells of the hyperglycaemic group. There were significant (p<0.05) blood glucose decline, while the sperm parameters and testicular weight improved with normal testicular histology in the 100 mg/kg CETE, 500 mg/kg CETE, and metformin-treated groups compared to the control and hyperglycaemic group. Treatment with CETE showed blood glucose amelioration and improved sperm quality, as well as testicular damage attenuation.

Cyperus esculentus L. es una planta tuberosa que promueve y protege las funciones reproductivas, que generalmente se ven afectadas en los diabéticos. El presente estudio investigó el efecto del extracto de tubérculo de Cyperus esculentus (CETE) sobre la histología testicular y la viabilidad de los espermatozoides de ratas wistar con hiperglicemia inducida por alloxan. Veinticinco ratas Wistar macho adultas que pesaban 150-200 g y se agruparon en cinco (n = 5): el grupo 1, el control, administró agua del grifo (20ml / kg), mientras que los grupos 2-5 se les administró una dosis intraperitoneal única (120 mg / kg p.v.) de alloxan, y agua del grifo por vía oral (20ml/kg), CETE (100 mg/kg), CETE (500 mg/kg) y metformina (500 mg/kg), respectivamente durante 21 días. Los animales fueron sacrificados, su esperma recolectada para su análisis, mientras que los testículos fueron retirados y procesados para histología. Los resultados mostraron un aumento significativo (p<0,05) de la glucosa en sangre y la testosterona, y una disminución significativa (p<0,05) del pH, la motilidad, el recuento, la morfología y la densidad de los espermatozoides, así como interrupciones e hipertrofia de las células espermatogénicas y sertoli del grupo hiperglucémico. Hubo una disminución significativa (p<0,05) de la glucosa en sangre, mientras que los parámetros espermáticos y el peso testicular mejoraron con la histología testicular normal en los grupos de 100 mg / kg de CETE, 500 mg / kg de CETE y tratados con metformina en comparación con el grupo de control e hiperglucémico. El tratamiento con CETE mostró una mejora de la glucosa en sangre y una mejora de la calidad de los espermatozoides, así como atenuación del daño testicular.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from the rhizomes of cyperus papyrus L. grown in South Africa / Composición química y actividad antibacterial de los aceites esenciales de los rizomas de cyperus papurus L., crecidos en Sudafrica

Essential oils hydrodistilled from the rhizomes of Cyperus papyrus L. growing wild in two localities (KwaDlangezwa and Richard’s Bay) of uMhlathuze City, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa has been studied. The major components of KwaDlangezwa oil were caryophyllene oxide (12.7 percent), cyperene (10.2 percent) and 1,8-cineole (8.4 percent). The oil of Richard’s Bay comprised mainly of caryophyllene oxide (24.4 percent), humulene epoxide II (13.2 percent), aristolene (9.1 percent) and aromadendrene epoxide II (7.3 percent). The antibacterial activity of the oils was assayed using agar-disc diffusion and broth-microdilution methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) revealed that the oil samples inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 3983 and ATCC 6538), with MIC of 1.25 and 0.31 mg/mL for each oil. Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212; MIC of 1.25 and 0.6 mg/mL, respectively) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 4983; MIC of 1.25 mg/mL for both oils). Only the Richard Bay oil showed activity against Bacillus cereus and Bacillus pumilus with MIC of 1.25mg/mL, respectively.

Los aceites esenciales hidrodestilados de los rizomas de Cyperus papyrus L., que crecen en dos localidades (KwaDlangezwa y Bahía Richard) de la ciudad de uMhlathuze, la provincia KwaZulu-Natal, de Sudafrica han sido estudiados. Los mayores componentes del aceite de KwaDlangezwa fueron óxido de cariofileno (12,7 por ciento), cipereno (10,2 por ciento) y 1,8-cineol (8,4 por ciento). El aceite de la bahía de Richard consistió principalmente cariofileno (24,4 por ciento), epóxido II de humuleno (13,2 por ciento), aristoleno (9,1 por ciento) y epóxido II de aromandreno (7,3 por ciento). La actividad antibacterial de los aceites fueron ensayados utilizando la difusión en discos de agar y el método de microdilución en caldo. La concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) reveló que las muestras inhibieron el crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 3983 y ATCC 6538), con una MIC de 1,25 y 0,31 mg/ml de cada aceite. Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212; CMI de 1,25 y 0.6 mg/mL, respectivamente) y Escherichia coli (ATCC 4983; CMI de 1,25 mg/mL para ambos aceites). Solo el aceite de la bahía Richard mostró actividad contra Bacillus cereus y Bacillus pumilis con CMI de 1,25 mg/mL, respectivamente.

Antioxidant activity of bioactive extracts obtained from rhizomes of Cyperus digitatus Roxb / Actividad antioxidante de extractos obtenidos a partir de rizomas de Cyperus digitatus Roxb

Members of the family Cyperaceae such as Cyperus alopecuroides, Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus scariosus and Cyperus rotundus possess significant amount of studies about their antioxidant activities and other properties. Nevertheless, the plant Cyperus digitatus belonging to the genus Cyperus lacks of studied about any kind of intrinsic activity. Different extracts and fractions were obtained from the rhizomes of Cyperus digitatus, and a Phytochemical screening and the content of phenols and flavonoids and the antioxidant properties (FRAP, DPPH and beta-Carotene bleaching) were quantified in each of theextracts and fractions. Of all the extracts obtained, the BE and AqE extracts showed the best antioxidant potential, meanwhile, none of the fractions obtained from the EAE extract show a relevant activity.

Los miembros de la familia Cyperaceae, tales como Cyperus alopecuroides, Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus scariosus y Cyperus rotundus poseen una cantidad significativa de estudios sobre sus actividades antioxidantes y otras propiedades. Sin embargo, la planta Cyperus digitatus perteneciente al género Cyperus carece de estudio de cualquier tipo de actividad intrínseca. Razón por la cual se estudió sus propiedades antioxidantes (FRAP, DPPH y blanqueamiento del beta-caroteno), cuantificación de contenido fenolico y flavonoides totales en extractos y fracciones obtenidos de los rizomas de Cyperus digitatus, y un perfil fitoquímico. De todos los extractos obtenidos, BE y AqE mostraron el mejor potencial antioxidante, por otra parte ninguna de las fracciones obtenidas a partir del extracto EAE mostro una actividad relevante.

[Chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from cyperus rotundus L.]

Cyperus rotundus L. belongs to Cyperaceae family, which grows in around of Iran and its roots with other herbs uses as antiflatulant and nervous tonic. Identification of chemical components of essential oil and antimicrobial effects of rhizomes from Cyperus rotundus L. The roots and rhizomes of C. rotundus were purchased from Tehran herb shops in June 2007. After confirmation, the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and was subjected to GC/MS. The antimicrobial effects of the root extract were studied on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum. The major components of the essential oil were found alpha-cyperone [32.0%] and spathulenol [11/0%]. The study of antimicrobial activity showed that the methanolic extracts have effects on Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus, but any effects on Salomonella, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium herebaceum were not showed. 25 Components [91.2% of the oil] were identified, totally. Sesquiterpenoides are major components [0.82%], and then monoterpenoids [8.8%]. Alpha-cyperone as major compound of our oil, was identified in the other research on oil of C. rotundus. Inhibitory concentrations for Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus were 31.25 and 125 mg/ml

Effect of weed extracts on seedling growth of some varieties of wheat.

Allelopathic effect ofAvena fatua L., Cyperus rotundus L., Polygonum hydropiper L., and Solanum nigrum L. were examined on seedling growth of certain commonly used varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Tarai region of U.P. state. The weed extracts inhibited the length of plumule in all the varieties (100%) with Solanum and it was in 12 (92%), 10 (77%) and 06 (46%) varieties with Polygonum, Avena and Cyperus, respectively. In radicle length, it was in 92% with both Polygonum and Solanum; and 85% and 69% of the varieties with Avena and Cyperus, respectively. However, all the four weed extracts reduced the dry weight of plumule, radicle and total seedling in all the varieties (100%) of wheat except in HD--2329 with Cyperus, in which it was positive. The percent reduction (percentage of control) was more than 50% in 92%, 77%, 54% and 39% of the varieties, respectively with Solanum, Polygonum, Avena and Cyperus. Among the weed extracts, the inhibitory effect on seedling growth in different varieties followed the order: Solanum > Polygonum > Avena and > Cyperus. On the basis of the present results, UP--2003 and WH--542 followed by PBW--226, Sangam and HD--248 were more susceptible to all the four weed extracts compared to the rest of the varieties of wheat.