Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemical Analysis, Bioactivity And Mosquito Repellency Of Cyperus Articulatus L. From The Family Cyperaceae From Tharaka Meru

Abstract

An ethno botanical survey of C. articulatus L (Ndago) was carried out in Tharaka-Meru district, Kenya from 8th to io" October 2010. This study was aimed at determining traditional uses and procedures used by Traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to prepare concoctions of C. articulatus L for treatment of various ailments. It commenced with a reconnaissance survey where the researchers met with the TMPs and were briefed on the ethno-botanical uses of C. articulatus L. At the meeting a one day workshop was arranged and a date was fixed. The workshop was attended by thirty traditional medicine practitioners and five scientists from the University of Nairobi. During the workshop the TMPs were issued with questionnaires from ~ which data was collected and analyzed. The ~at~ collected from the questionnaires indicated that 1";",- all the TMPs were using C. articulatus L for treatment of typhoid fever, stomachache, headaches, blisters, wounds, skin rush, abdominal pains; cough, as perfume, as a mouth freshener and insect ., repellent. The extinction of the plant was established. The results of this survey were 'l- . documented for further reference. The root tubers of C. articulatus L were subjected to extraction resultant crude extract of 100% CH2Cb was subjected to a combination of chromatographic techniques including column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin layer chromatography(PTLC) for the isolation of compounds. Spectroscopic analysis including UV and GC- MS were done to determine the structures of the S9,1l)pounds.J:-... total of 59 compounds were identified, of which 48 (82.76%) were terpenls. Amongst the terpenes were 27 sesquiterpenes (45.76%), 20 monoterpenes (33.90%) 1 triterpene (1.69%), and 11 non-terpenes (18.64%). The major sesquiterpene identified in this essential oil was a cubenene. Xlll This made it unique amongst all the other oils extracted from C articulatus L from other parts of the world (Nigeria, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Hawaii, and Philippines). The 100% CH 2 CI 2 crude extract was subjected to anti-bacterial tests against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi bacterial strains. The inhibition zones were taken and averaged and the extracts showed activity for the three bacterial strains. The undiluted crude extract of 100% Carticulatus L showed inhibition against the growth of the microorganisms tested. The 100% CH2Ch crude extract was repellent against the mosquito Aedes egyptii. The above results supported the claims by the traditional medicine practitioners that Curticulatus L could treat skin lashes and repel the mosquitoes Aedes egyptii. J