Abstract

The objective of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic role of Cyperus rotundus, a cosmopolitan weed, by analyzing the presence of phytochemicals. Preliminary analysis shows the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phlobatannin etc., in the tuber extracts. A sensitive, precise and selective high performance thin layer chromatographic method(HPTLC) has been developed for quantification of quercetin (phytochemical) in the methanolic extract of C. rotundus which has been shown to have diverse biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Quercetin quantified in Cyperus rotundus tubers was found to be 2.37ng/g from HPTLC analysis. The validation of method was proved in accordance with ICH Guidelines and can be adopted for the routine analysis of quercetin in methanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus. Evaluation of Quercetin, a phenolic compound & other phytochemicals in C. rotundus with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have profound effects on various biochemical events involved in counteraction of diabetic complications including diabetic retinopathy.