Phytochemical Properties and Therapeutic Applications of Nelumbo Nucifera

Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as lotus, is distinguished by a rich phytochemical profile dominated by aporphine and bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids alongside diverse flavonoids and phenolic glycosides. These compounds collectively exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidaemic and anticancer activities. Aporphine alkaloids such as nuciferine modulate lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, offering therapeutic potential in obesity and diabetes. Bisbenzylisoquinolines including neferine and isoliensinine induce apoptotic pathways in various cancer cell types, often via reactive oxygen species generation and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. Flavonoid constituents contribute additional free-radical scavenging and vascular protective effects. Ethnopharmacological practices across Asia utilise different organs of the plant for cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and neurological indications, while contemporary research underscores gut microbiota modulation and molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic efficacy. Integration of traditional knowledge with molecular pharmacology has propelled Nelumbo nucifera towards nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have elucidated the selective cytotoxic effects of isoliensinine on triple-negative breast cancer cells through the induction of reactive oxygen species and activation of p38 MAPK and JNK pathways, highlighting its lower toxicity toward non-malignant cells and potential for targeted chemotherapy. In hepatocellular carcinoma models, neferine has been shown to suppress epithelial–mesenchymal transition by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating Snail and vimentin, thereby enhancing sensitivity to oxaliplatin and inhibiting tumour invasion and metastasis.

Phytochemical Properties and Therapeutic Applications of Nelumbo Nucifera publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and therapeutic applications of nelumbo nucifera across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aporphine alkaloids: Nitrogen-containing compounds characterised by a tetracyclic core, known for hypolipidaemic and neuroprotective activities.

Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids: Dimeric isoquinoline derivatives that modulate cell signalling, notably inducing apoptosis and inhibiting drug resistance.

Flavonoids: Polyphenolic plant metabolites with antioxidant capacity, contributing to free radical scavenging and vascular protection.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen, which at elevated levels can trigger apoptosis and signal transduction.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): A phenotypic switch enabling epithelial cells to acquire migratory and invasive properties in cancer progression.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS): A cellular state induced by unfolded protein accumulation, leading to apoptotic signalling cascades.

References

1. Structure-activity relationship, bioactivities, molecular mechanisms, and clinical application of nuciferine on inflammation-related diseases. Pharmacological Research (2023).
2. miRNA omics reveal neferine induces apoptosis through Ca2+mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in human endometrial cancer. Phytomedicine (2024).
3. Isoliensinine induces apoptosis in triple-negative human breast cancer cells through ROS generation and p38 MAPK/JNK activation. Scientific Reports (2015).
4. Analysis of Flavonoids in Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Leaves and Their Antioxidant Activity Using Macroporous Resin Chromatography Coupled with LC-MS/MS and Antioxidant Biochemical Assays. Molecules (2015).
5. Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Nelumbo nucifera. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015).
6. The anti-tumor activities of Neferine on cell invasion and oxaliplatin sensitivity regulated by EMT via Snail signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. Scientific Reports (2017).
7. Lotus leaf flavonoids induce apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells through the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway. Biological Research (2021).
8. Antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects of lotus leaf hot water extract with taurine supplementation in rats fed a high fat diet. Journal of Biomedical Science (2010).
9. Purification and Characterization of Aporphine Alkaloids from Leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn and Their Effects on Glucose Consumption in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2014).