Abstract
Sedges (Cyperus L.) are annual or perennial herbs of the Cyperaceae family. The genus includes about 600 species, including edible and medicinal species.
Cyperus esculentus is an edible and medicinal plant, widely used for its numerous health-promoting effects, including alleviating the symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Cyperus rotundus is also widely used in traditional medicine as a nerve tonic and sedative.
Several bioactive substances (for example phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, terpenes and especially flavonoids) have been found in the rhizome extracts of these plants. these can act as modulators of immune cell function, against inflammation and oxidative stress, but also have significant neuroprotective effects, such as neurogenesis and neuronal regeneration, which lead to improved learning and memory performance.