Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) and Its Bioactive Phytocompounds: A Tribute to Cancer Prevention and Intervention

Abstract

Cancer is one of the major leading causes of death worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests a strong relationship between specific dietary habits and cancer development. In recent years, a food-based approach for cancer prevention and intervention has been gaining tremendous attention. Among diverse dietary and medicinal plants, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., family Nymphaeaceae), also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus or Chinese water lily, has the ability to effectively combat this disease. Various parts of N. nucifera have been utilized as a vegetable as well as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years in the Asian continent. The rhizome and seeds of N. nucifera represent the main edible parts. Different parts of N. nucifera have been traditionally used to manage different disorders, such as fever, inflammation, insomnia, nervous disorders, epilepsy, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. It is believed that numerous bioactive components, including alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, steroids, and glycosides, are responsible for its various biological and pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and hypoglycemic activities. Nevertheless, there is no comprehensive review with an exclusive focus on the anticancer attributes of diverse phytochemicals from different parts of N. nucifera. In this review, we have analyzed the effects of N. nucifera extracts, fractions and pure compounds on various organ-specific cancer cells and tumor models to understand the cancer-preventive and therapeutic potential and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of this interesting medicinal and dietary plant. In addition, the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and possible toxicity of N. nucifera-derived phytochemicals, as well as current limitations, challenges and future research directions, are also presented.

Immune-Enhancing Effects of Co-treatment With Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Leaf Extract in a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Rat Model

“…Recently, research has been actively conducted to identify bioactive substances that can alleviate adverse effects on the immune function caused by various drugs used for anti-cancer treatment ( 1 , 8 , 25 ). Although KP or NN extracts as candidate substances are being studied extensively in vitro and in vivo ( 13 , 15 , 17 , 19 ), the effect of KP and NN combination treatment on the immune response was not explored. Therefore, in this study, the immune-enhancing effects of KPNN were investigated using an immunosuppressed animal model.…”

“…Since plants have beneficial pharmacological effects, low toxicity, and fewer side effects on human health, they have traditionally been used in oriental medicine. Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark (KP) and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner leaf (NN) have been shown to have various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory ( 13 – 16 ), anti-nociceptive ( 14 ), anti-diabetic ( 15 , 16 ), and anti-cancer ( 15 – 19 ) effects. The main components of KP and NN have been identified as liriodendrin and kalopanaxaponin ( 20 , 21 ), and flavonoids and alkaloids ( 22 , 23 ), respectively.…”

Transcriptome Analyses Revealed the Key Metabolic Genes and Transcription Factors Involved in Terpenoid Biosynthesis in Sacred Lotus

“…The remarkable health and disease alleviation activities of the scared lotus are associated with the high content of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, and glycosides [ 23 ]. However, most studies focus on flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, while few have been conducted on terpenoids [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms

“…Neferine (Figure 4), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the seed embryo of the lotus plant (Nelumbo nucifera), is reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities [252][253][254][255]. The anti-renal cancer potential of neferine has been studied using Caki-1, ACHN, and A498 cells.…”