Cyperus rotundus: A potential novel source of therapeutic compound against urinary tract pathogens

Bioactive compounds from medicinal plants offer a potentially beneficial alternative to synthetic antibiotics. The crude extract of Cyperus rotundus was screened for antiuropathogenic activity using the disc diffusion method, which indicated its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the ethanolic extract ranged from 2.5 to 10 mg/mL against different uropathogens. Phytochemical analysis of C. rotundus showed the presence of tannins and saponins. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of the ethanolic extract indicated the presence of two spots. The TLC bioautography confirmed the antibacterial activity of the spot with a resolution front (Rf) of 0.435, which indicated its bioactive property. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was validated using parameters such as linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification. HPLC analysis of the active spot indicated the presence of saponins only, with a retention time of 16.102 min. Quantitative studies revealed that 75.6373 mg/mL of saponin was present in the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of C. rotundus. Therefore, the study scientifically validated the use of C. rotundus plant for the treatment of UTIs by tribal populations and advocated the potential application of the bioactive compounds from C. rotundus for the treatment of UTIs.