Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Three Egyptian Cyperus Species Using Cell-free and Cell-based Assays

ABSTRACT

Three Egyptian Cyperus species viz. Cyperus esculentus, C. rotundus, and C. papyrus that belong to Cyperaceae were used as food and medicines since ancient times. This study aimed to investigate the direct and indirect antioxidant properties of the selected species in two chemical assays (FRAP and DPPH) and a cell-based bioassay in hepa1c1c7 cells using t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the inducer of cytotoxicity. Three different extracts were prepared from each Cyperus tuber. The results indicated that the 80% EtOH extract of C. papyrus was the most potent with direct antioxidant activity in both DPPH (EC50: 5.1 µg/ml) and FRAP (FE: 48.7 µg/ml) assays and a significant full cytoprotection against TBHP at 100 µg/ml.