Supplement
Purple nutsedge is a tuber-producing plant, also called Cyperus rotundus, long used in Ayurvedic tradition for digestive and menstrual complaints. Its extracts contain sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds. With no main use established, the best-supported finding is that rodent studies consistently found reduced inflammation, though the evidence is limited. Everything so far comes from animal and lab work, and no human trials have tested it.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 1
- Outcomes
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 0023
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation Consistent anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated across multiple preclinical studies via COX and LOX inhibition pathways. In rodent models, Cyperus rotundus extracts significantly reduced inflammatory markers, but no human clinical trials have been conducted. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | ||||
| Gastroprotection Animal studies demonstrate gastroprotective effects against ulcer models, partially supporting traditional Ayurvedic use for indigestion and diarrhea. Long history of traditional use for digestive complaints, but human clinical validation is absent. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | ||||
| Menstrual Pain Traditional Ayurvedic use for dysmenorrhea is mechanistically supported by in vitro studies showing smooth muscle relaxant effects on uterine tissue. No human clinical trials have evaluated efficacy for menstrual pain. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | ||||
| Blood Sugar Control Some anti-diabetic effects observed in animal models, with Cyperus rotundus extracts showing hypoglycemic activity in rodents. Evidence remains preliminary with no human trials conducted. | Changes; see studies | Small effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Status In vitro studies document antioxidant activity of Cyperus rotundus tuber extracts, attributed to sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds. No human data available to confirm in vivo relevance. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect |
Key findings
- InflammationImproves (the measure goes down)
- GastroprotectionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Antioxidant StatusImproves (the measure goes up)
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- Grade C
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