Effects of crude methanolic extract of purple nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus L.) on the maturation of golfish oocytes

Abstract

Cyperus rotundus L. is a pernicious weed, which is traditionally used for different medical purposes and is locally recommended for antifertility purposes. A number of pharmacologically important constituents have been previously isolated from the plant. This study aims to test the effects of the crude methanolic extract of C. rotundus L. on the maturation of goldfish oocytes. The extract is found to induce 100% maturation at 5 mg/mL concentration. However, it becomes toxic at higher concentration. All goldfish oocytes (100% ) has died at 20 mg/mL concentration. The steroids and flavonoids present in the plant may be responsible for inducing goldfish oocyte maturation, whereas the alkaloids may be toxic to the oocytes. Further studies using mammalian systems in vivo and characterization of individual constituents are recommended.