Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus rotundus L. Rhizome against ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in male sprague-dawley rats Nasreen Jahan, Humaira Bano, Shaikh Ajij Ahmed Makbul, BN Kumar, Ansari Mushir Urological Science 2019 30(3):99-106 Background: Cyperus rotundus L. is used in various dosage forms by Unani physicians in the treatment of urolithiasis. Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus rotundus in nephrolithiatic male Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into 6 groups of 6 each. Group I received regular rat food and drinking water ad libitum. Group II to VI were treated with Ethylene glycol (0.75%, V/V) and Ammonium chloride (1%, W/V) in drinking water for 7 days to induce urolithiasis. Group II was sacrificed after 7 days administration of lithogenic agents however, from 8th day, group IV was treated with Cystone (750 mg/kg) and group V and VI with hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus rotundus (100 mg/kg and 170 mg/kg, respectively) for further 14 days. Group III left untreated after 7 days administration of lithogenic agent till 14 days and sacrificed on 22nd day. Urine, biochemical parameters, kidney homogenate analysis and histopathology were carried out. Crystalluria analysed by light microscopy. Results: The test drug at both the doses showed significant reduction (P < 0.001) in number of urinary crystals. Test groups showed significant reduction in urine sodium (P < 0.05) and calcium (P < 0.001) while increased in urine magnesium. Serum creatinine (P < 0.01) and urea (P < 0.05) level significantly reduced in test groups. Histopathology of kidney showed almost normal kidney architecture. Kidney homogenate analysis showed significant reduction (P < 0.05) of calcium in group VI. Conclusion: The results showed that test extract has significant antilithiatic effect in terms of solute balance, reduction in crystal numbers and improvement in renal cell derangement.

Cyperus rotundus (coco-grass, Java grass, nut grass, purple nut sedge[2] or purple nutsedge,[3] red nut sedge, Khmer kravanh chruk[4]) is a species of sedge (Cyperaceae) native to Africa, southern and central Europe (north to France and Austria), and southern Asia. The word cyperus derives from the Greek κύπερος, kyperos,[5] and rotundus is from Latin, meaning "round".[6] The earliest attested form of the word cyperus is the Mycenaean Greek 𐀓𐀞𐀫, ku-pa-ro, written in Linear B syllabic script.[7]

Cyperus rotundus is a perennial plant, that may reach a height of up to 140 cm (55 in). The names "nut grass" and "nut sedge" – shared with the related species Cyperus esculentus – are derived from its tubers, that somewhat resemble nuts, although botanically they have nothing to do with nuts.

As in other Cyperaceae, the leaves sprout in ranks of three from the base of the plant, around 5–20 cm (2–8 in) long. The flower stems have a triangular cross-section. The flower is bisexual and has three stamina and a three-stigma carpel, with the flower head having three to eight unequal rays. The fruit is a three-angled achene.

The root system of a young plant initially forms white, fleshy rhizomes, up to 25 mm (1.0 in) in dimension, in chains. Some rhizomes grow upward in the soil, then form a bulb-like structure from which new shoots and roots grow, and from the new roots, new rhizomes grow. Other rhizomes grow horizontally or downward, and form dark reddish-brown tubers or chains of tubers.

It prefers dry conditions, but will tolerate moist soils, and often grows in wastelands and in crop fields.[4]