PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND PHYTO-CHEMICAL STUDY OF RHIZOME of Cyperus rotundus LINN

Cyperus rotundus L., (Family Cyperaceae), also known as purple nutsedge or nutgrass, is a common perennial plant. This is a multipurpose plant, widely used in traditional medicine around the world to treat various diseases such as indigestion, constipation, dysentery, abdominal distention, neurogenic gastralgia, chest pains, irregular menstruation, painful menstruati on, skin diseases, furuncle infections, leprosy, sprains and bruises, and fever. It has the property of therapeutic actions such as analgesic, alternative, astringent, antispasmodic, antibacterial, carminative, contraceptive, demulcent, emmenagogue, emollient, febrifuge, immunostimulant, laxative, tonic, vermifuge. Pharmacognostical investigations are the first and foremost step to determine the identity and to assess the quality of plant species. The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameter to determine the qual ity of the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L. These studies comprise to investigate macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening and fluorescence characteristics. The findings may provide useful information with regard to its identification and standardization in future.