Phytochemical assessment and prospective therapeutic effects of Cenchrus ciliaris L. seeds, a perennial native grass, from Kuwait’s desert ecosystems

AbstractPhytochemicals are biologically active substances found in plants that contribute to the plants’ survival and aid in health benefits to humankind. They are diversely distributed in plant parts including seeds. An investigation using GC-MS revealed the occurrence of 31 phytochemicals in the seeds of Kuwait’s native desert grass, Cenchrus ciliaris L. The fatty acids 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z) and palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid), with promising anti-tumor effects were found in maximum quantities of 27.52 and 13.36 percent in C. ciliaris seeds. Furthermore, they exhibited antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Numerous other fatty acids, their esters, amides, amines, quinones, sterols, and vitamins were detected with pharmacological features. Most of the perceived phytochemicals of the investigated seed were found to own countless therapeutic effects, with great potential to heal tragic diseases that requires further confirmation to define their therapeutic effects.