Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and anticancer potential of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae): A systematic review

Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) is a species widely used in traditional medicine in various regions of the world, mainly in Asian countries such as India and Pakistan. The anticancer potential of this species has been reported in the literature, indicating that its chemical compounds may be effective against different tumor cell lines. The present work aimed to carry out a systematic review on the traditional uses, chemical composition, toxicity, and anticancer potential of C. rotundus. Scientific articles were searched in Google Scholar, PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, and SciELO. Only works published in the last twenty years (2000-2020) were eligible. A total of 85 articles were included in the review. According to the scientific documents analyzed, C. rotundus is widely used for stomach disorders (11%), diarrhea and/or dysentery (11%), fever (10%), menstrual problems (9%), diuresis (9%), and worms (8%). Regarding the in vivo and in vitro anticancer potential, the extracts, fractions, and essential oils from C. rotundus were effective against colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, liver and cervical cancer, leukemia, and neuroblastoma cell lines. A total of 49 chemical compounds belonging to the classes of sesquiterpenes, iridoid glycosides, and phenolics were identified in this review. Extracts obtained from C. rotundus did not show toxicity in preclinical tests. The pharmacological investigation of the chemical compounds isolated from this plant is important to elucidate the mechanisms of action against cancer cell lines.