Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical Diversity and Pharmacological Multifunctionality of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54938/ijemdbmcr.2025.03.2.543Keywords:
antioxidant; Cynodon dactylon; phytotherapy; wound healing; diabetic recovery.Abstract
Background: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is also referred to as Bermuda grass, and its ethnomedical benefits in treating microbial infections, diabetes, and inflammation have long been acknowledged. Its varied therapeutic potential has been confirmed by recent pharmacognostic and phytochemical research, which has identified bioactive compounds and biological activities. Methods: A thorough review of the literature was carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing research from 2002 to 2024. We examined and contrasted pertinent reports on C. dactylon's phytochemical makeup, pharmacological activity, and toxicological features. The review places a strong emphasis on pharmacodynamic observations, extract types, and experimental design. Results: The presence of flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, and vitexin), alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenolic acids as important metabolites was verified by phytochemical profiling. Strong antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties were shown by methanolic and aqueous extracts both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, hydroalcoholic extracts markedly decreased blood glucose and lipid levels (Garg et al. 2023), whereas Hep-2 cancer cells were highly susceptible to the cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate fractions (Salahuddin et al. 2016). However, in certain ecological contexts, reports of alkaloid toxicity and allergenic potential have been made. Conclusion: The phytochemical diversity of Cynodon dactylon supports its broad-spectrum pharmacological activity. Standardized extraction, mechanistic clarification, and clinical validation should be given top priority in future research to create secure and efficient therapeutic uses. These pharmacological activities indicate potential applications of C. dactylon in healthcare and rehabilitation, particularly for managing oxidative stress–related disorders, enhancing tissue recovery, and supporting metabolic rehabilitation.
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