Chemistry and Pharmacology of Cyperaceae Stilbenoids: A Review

Cyperaceae is a cosmopolitan plant family with approx. 5000 species distributed worldwide. Several members of this are used in traditional medicines for the treatment different diseases. In last few decades, constituents great chemical diversity were isolated from sedges, and wide range biological activities detected either crude extracts or pure compounds. Among compounds, phenolic derivatives most important, especially stilbenoids, flavonoids. To date, more than 60 stilbenoids 28 species. Pharmacological investigation revealed that several compounds possess promising activities; mainly antiproliferative, antibacterial, antioxidant anthelmintic effects. Isolation, synthesis pharmacological stilbenes increasing constantly. As very good sources variety stilbenes, them occur large amount worldwide, they worthy phytochemical investigations. Moreover, important chemotaxonomical point view, play key role defense mechanisms as well. This review summarizes their activities.