Some species of Cyperaceae are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders by traditional communities in several countries, including Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, and India. Although these ethnomedicinal uses are being confirmed through in vivo pharmacological trials, many plants in this family still lack scientific investigation. In this context, the present study aimed to review the pharmacological potential of Cyperaceae species in experimental models of gastrointestinal disorders and correlate it with the phenolic compounds and flavonoids present in these plants. The articles were retrieved from different databases, from the first report on the topic published in 1997 to August 2025. A total of 10 Cyperaceae species were identified that showed pharmacological potential against gastrointestinal disorders, including representatives of the genera Cyperus (6 spp.), Fimbristylis (2 spp.), Lagenocarpus (1 spp.), and Pycreus (1 spp.). The extracts of these plants demonstrated potential antiulcerogenic, gastroprotective, antidiarrheal, and intestinal anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models of ulcerative colitis, with particular attention on Cyperus rotundus L. A diverse array of bioactive compounds were identified in the Cyperaceae family, including luteolin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, rutin, myricetin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, apigenin, catechin, and orientin. These phytochemicals have been widely studied in experimental models of gastrointestinal disorders. It is likely that the flavonoids and phenolic compounds identified in Cyperaceae species are related to the pharmacological potential of these plants and can be used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Additional studies are needed to investigate the pharmacological potential of other Cyperaceae used empirically in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases affecting the digestive system.
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