The sacred lotus (<I>Nelumbo nucifera</I>) - phytochemical and therapeutic profile

Abstract

In this review we explore the current pharmaceutical, phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge about this well known plant species as well as several emerging aspects for research on N. nucifera.

Higenamine 4′-O-β-d-glucoside in the lotus plumule induces glucose uptake of L6 cells through β2-adrenergic receptor

“…The residue was purified using silica gel column chromatography (hexane/acetone = 3/1 to 2/1) to yield 3 (140.5 mg, 11% from dopamine), an enantiomer mixture that showed m/z 512 [ESI-MS (positive), [M+Na] + ] in the mass spectrum. Since 1 H NMR data of the obtained 3 showed complex signals, probably owing to isomers from benzyl group rotation (rotamer) and chiral carbon (enantiomer), the current and following intermediate products (3)(4)(5) were confirmed only using the mass spectra.…”

“…Rhizome, leaf, flower, seed, and all other parts are used to treat vomiting, leprosy, inflammation, skin diseases, neuronal disorders, diarrhea, poisoning, and various other symptoms. 4,5 Many scientific studies have shown the beneficial effects of this plant, including anti-ischaemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, anti-arrhythmic, anti-fibrosis, antiviral, and other activities. 5,6 Among them, hypoglycemic activity of the plant extract has been reported.…”

“…4,5 Many scientific studies have shown the beneficial effects of this plant, including anti-ischaemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, anti-arrhythmic, anti-fibrosis, antiviral, and other activities. 5,6 Among them, hypoglycemic activity of the plant extract has been reported. 4,[7][8][9] During our search for hypoglycemic agents using glucose uptake assay against muscle model cells, the extract of the lotus plumule showed high activity.…”

Anti-cancer potential of South Asian plants

“…and flavonoids, glycosylated flavonols, flavonol, aglycones (myricetin, quercetin, leucocyanidin, rutin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, astragalin etc.) 90,91 . Neferine (19), a major alkaloid component in N. nucifera embryos, possessed a potent growthinhibitory effect in human osteosarcoma cells, with a mechanism of p21-dependent cell cycle arrest at G1 due to p38 MAPK-mediated p21-stabilizing effect of neferine 91 .…”

Human Ether-à-go-go Related Gene (hERG) Channel Blocking Aporphine Alkaloids from Lotus Leaves and Their Quantitative Analysis in Dietary Weight Loss Supplements

“…Major secondary metabolites are alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. 18 Neferine, 6, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (Figure 1), isolated from the seed embryo of N. nucifera has been reported to block hERG channels stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. In whole-cell patch clamp studies, this compound induced a concentration-dependent decrease in hERG current amplitude with an IC 50 of 7.42 μM.…”