Botanical Name : Cyperus scariosus 
Sanskrit Name: Nagaramustaka, Bhadramusta
English Name : Umbrella's Edge
Family : Cyperaceae

Plant Part Used: Root


Description of Cyperus scariosus:
A delicate, slender sedge. The plant produces deep brown tubers with aromatic odor.
 

Principal Constituents:
Steam distillation of the tubers yields 0.075-0.080% of an essential oil (Basu, loc. cit.).

Pharmacology:
Intravenous administration of hydro-methanolic extract of C.scariosus (3-10mg/kg) produced hypotensive and bradycardiac effects. These effects remained unaltered in atropinized animals indicating that cardiovascular effects of the plant extract are not mediated through activation of muscarinic receptors. In the in vitro studies, it suppressed the spontaneous contractions of guinea-pig paired atria, rat uterus and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent (0.1-1mg/ml) manner. It also inhibited histamine or acetylcholine-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum indicating non-specific spasmolytic action. In rabbit aorta, it inhibited norepinephrine (10 micro M) as well as K+ (80mN)-induced contractions at similar concentrations (0.1-1mg/ml). C.scariosus has been reported to contain Ca2+ channelblocker-like constituent(s), which explained hypotensive effect observed in vivo and the general spasmolytic activity of plant explains its folkloric use in diarrhea.
 The oil of C.scariosus roots was found to have potent anti-inflammatory activity in a dose of 100mg/kg intraperitonially in rats against carrageenan-induced edema, adjuvant arthritis and cotton pellet-induced inflammation. The activity of the extract was comparable with phenylbutazone 100mg/kg orally and hydrocortisone acetate 5mg/kg, intraperitonially. The activity was found to be comparable to that of hydrocortisone acetate.

Indication:
The tubers are credited with astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, dessicant, cordial and stomachic properties. A decoction of the tuber is used for washing hair, treating gonorrhea and syphilis. It is also given in diarrhea and for general weakness.

Disclaimer:
The authenticity of the above information are not verified and established by us. You are requested to get it verified. The above given information are collected from various sources may be used for academic purpose.