Abstract:
Cyperus rotundus L. belongs to the family Cyperaceae. It is used to treat constipation,
stomach disorders, dysmenorrhea, skin diseases, wounds, leprosy, fever, etc., in indigenous
medicine. Also, they are used to treat itchy pus-filled pimples in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to
evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity of different solvent fractions and essential oil of Cyperus
rotundus L. rhizomes. Soxhlet apparatus was used to obtain the methanolic and petroleum ether
extracts from rhizomes, and essential oil was extracted using steam distillation. The antibacterial
activity of extracts and essential oils was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar disc diffusion method. The activity was compared with
Gentamycin as standard. The activity of extracts and essential oil were compared with one-way
ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. The results showed that both extracts and essential oil of
Cyperus rotundus L. rhizomes showed a statistically significant difference in antibacterial
activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compare to the standard
drug, Gentamycin. The essential oil of Cyperus rotundus L. rhizomes showed comparatively
higher antibacterial activity than extracts. Staphylococcus aureus was more susceptible to
methanolic extract and essential oil than petroleum ether extract. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was
more susceptible to essential oil and petroleum ether extract than methanol extract. Cyperus
rotundus L. rhizomes possess good antibacterial activity, and further studies are required to
isolate active phytochemicals and screen for antimicrobial activity.
