Examining the Phytochemical Analysis, In Vitro Cytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Effects of Rotundine Glycoside Isolated From Cyperus rotundus L. Rhizomes

Plant metabolites, like antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects, exhibit therapeutic benefits. The crude extract of Cyperus rotundus (CR) rhizomes demonstrates such activities; however, the specific components responsible for these functions have not been determined. This study identifies the bioactive alkaloids in CR rhizome extract. 

The crude methanolic extract of CR rhizomes was acidified, followed by basification. The precipitate was then purified using sequential chromatographic and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. Structural elucidation of the derived compound was performed using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy. Disc dilution and diffusion assays were used to evaluate the isolated compound’s minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) against selected microbial species. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compound was determined against HeLa cancer cells using MTT cell proliferation assays. 

Spectral analysis confirmed the presence of norrotundine-6-O-glucoside plus appreciable amounts of flavonoids nootkatone, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, catechin, and β-sitosterol. The isolated alkaloid inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=MBC=64 µg/mL), Escherichia coli (MIC=100 µg/mL), and Candida albicans (MIC=MBC=64 µg/mL). The alkaloid’s half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 203.7 µg/mL. The obtained alkaloid from the CR rhizomes’ crude extract revealed bactericidal and fungicidal effects against S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively, at 64 µg/mL, bacteriostatic against E. coli at 100 µg/mL, and cytotoxic against HeLa cells at an IC50 equal to 203.7 µg/mL.

The elucidated alkaloid from the CR rhizomes’ crude extract exhibited bactericidal and fungicidal effects against S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively, at 64 µg/mL, bacteriostatic activity against E. coli at 100 µg/mL and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells at IC50 of 203.7 µg/mL.