Examining starch metabolism in lotus roots (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) during post-harvest storage at different temperatures.

This study explores the impact of postharvest storage temperatures (4 °C and 25 °C) on starch metabolism and textural attributes of glutinous lotus root. While starch metabolism is a well-known factor influencing texture, changes in powdery and sticky qualities have remained unexplored. Our research reveals that storing lotus roots at 4 °C delays water dissipation, amylopectin reduction, and the decline in textural elements such as hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and resilience. Lower temperatures postpone amylopectin reduction and sugar interconversion, thereby preserving the sticky texture. Additionally, they suppress starch formation, delay starch metabolism, and elevate the expression of genes involved in starch metabolism. The correlation between gene expression and root texture indicates the critical role of gene regulation in enzyme activity during storage. Overall, low-temperature storage extends lotus root preservation by regulating metabolite content, enzyme activities, and the corresponding genes involved in starch metabolism, preserving both intrinsic and external root quality.

Advances in the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Nelumbo nucifera gaertn. Extract nuciferine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC RELEVANCE: The leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Are recorded in the earliest written documentation of traditional Chinese medicinal as "Ben Cao Gang Mu", a medicinal herb for blood clotting, dysentery and dizziness. Nuciferine, one of N. nucifera Gaertn. leaf extracts, has been shown to possess several pharmacological properties, including but not limited to ameliorating hyperlipidemia, stimulating insulin secretion, inducing vasodilation, reducing blood pressure, and demonstrating anti-arrhythmic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: In light of the latest research findings on nuciferine, this article provides a comprehensive overview of its chemical properties, pharmacological activities, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. It aims to serve as a dependable reference for further investigations into the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of nuciferine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Use Google Scholar, Scifinder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, Web of Science and other online database search to collect the literature on extraction, separation, structural analysis and pharmacological activity of nuciferine published before November 2023. The key words are "extraction", "isolation", "purification" and "pharmacological action" and "nuciferine". RESULTS: Nuciferine has been widely used in the treatment of ameliorating hyperlipidemia and lose weight, Nuciferine is a monomeric aporphine alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the plant Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Nuciferine has pharmacological activities such as relaxing smooth muscles, improving hyperlipidemia, stimulating insulin secretion, vasodilation, inducing hypotension, antiarrhythmic effects, and antimicrobial and anti-HIV activities. These pharmacological properties lay a foundation for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, hyperglycemia, lipid-lowering and weight-loss, oxidative stress and other diseases with nuciferine. CONCLUSION: Nuciferine has been clinically used to treat hyperlipidemia and aid in weight loss due to its effects on lipid levels, insulin secretion, vasodilation, blood pressure reduction, anti-tumor properties, and immune enhancement. However, other potential benefits of nuciferine have not yet been fully explored in clinical practice. Future research should delve deeper into its molecular structure, toxicity, side effects, and clinical pharmacology to uncover its full range of effects and pave the way for its safe and expanded clinical use.

Structurally Diverse Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids with Antiadipogenic Activity through PPARγ Downregulation from the Embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Seeds.

Six undescribed and six known bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids were isolated from the embryo of Nelumbo nucifera seeds. Their structures were fully characterized by a combination of 1H, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS analyses, as well as ECD computational calculations. The antiadipogenic activity of 11 alkaloids was observed in a dose-responsive manner, leading to the suppression of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Luciferase assay and Western blot analysis showed that the active alkaloids downregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ, a key antiadipogenic receptor) expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Analysis of the structure-activity relationship unveiled that a 1R,1'S configuration in bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids led to a notable enhancement in antiadipogenic activity. The resistance level against lipid accumulation highlighted a consistent pattern with the suppressive effect on the PPARγ expression. These activity results indicate that alkaloids from the embryo of N. nucifera seeds have a potential of antiobesity effects through PPARγ downregulation.

Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognition impairment via enhanced adult hippocampus neurogenesis.

In this presentation, we explored the molecular mechanisms of N. nucifera leaf water extracts (NLWEs) and polyphenol extract (NLPE) on scopolamine-induced cell apoptosis and cognition defects. The administration of NLWE and NLPE did not alter the body weight and serum biomarker rs and significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognition impairment according to Y-maze test analysis. In mice, treatment with scopolamine disrupted normal histoarchitecture in the hippocampus, whereas the administration of NLWE and NLPE reversed the phenomenon. Western blot analysis revealed that scopolamine mitigated the expression of doublecortin (DCX), nestin, and NeuN, and cotreatment with NLWE or NLPE significantly recovered the expression of these proteins. NLWE and NLPE upregulated DCX and NeuN expression in the hippocampus region, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining analysis of scopolamine-treated mice. NLWE and NLPE obviously elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and enhanced its downstream proteins activity. NLWE and NLPE attenuated scopolamine-induced apoptosis by reducing Bax and increased Bcl-2 expression. In addition, scopolamine also triggered apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells whereas co-treatment with NLWE or quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) reversed the phenomenon. NLWE or Q3G enhanced Bcl-2 and reduced Bax expression in the presence of scopolamine in SH-SY5Y cells. NLWE or Q3G recovered the inhibitory effects of scopolamine on neurogenesis and BDNF signals in SH-SY5Y cells. Overall, our results revealed that N. nucifera leaf extracts and Q3G promoted adult hippocampus neurogenesis and prevented apoptosis to mitigate scopolamine-induced cognition dysfunction through the regulation of BDNF signaling pathway.

An Updated Review on Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn: Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value and Pharmacological Activities.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn is a recognised herbal plant in ancient medical sciences. Each portion of the plant leaf, flower, seed and rhizome is utilised for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The chemical compositions like phenol, alkaloids, glycoside, terpenoids and steroids have been isolated. The plant contains various nutritional values like lipids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. Traditional medicine confirms that the phytochemicals of plants give significant benefits to the treatment of various diseases such as leukoderma, smallpox, dysentery, haematemesis, coughing, haemorrhage, metrorrhagia, haematuria, fever, hyperlipidaemia, cholera, hepatopathy and hyperdipsia. To verify the traditional claims, researchers have conducted scientific biological in vivo and in vitro screenings, which have exhibited that the plant keeps various notable pharmacological activities such as anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. This review, summaries the nutritional composition, chemical constituents and biological activities substantiated by the researchers done in vivo and in vitro.

Modifications of native lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) rhizome starch and its overall characterization: A review.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) rhizomes are an under-utilized and sustainable starch source that constitutes up to 20 % starch. The review mainly focused on the extraction methods of starch, the chemical composition of LRS, and techno-functional characteristics such as swelling power, solubility, in vitro digestibility, pasting property, and gelatinization is highlighted in LRS review. Lotus rhizome starch (LRS) is also used as a water retention agent, thickening, gelling, stabilizing, and filling in food and non-food applications. Native starch has limited functional characteristics in food applications so by modifying the starch, functional characteristics are enhanced. Single and dual treatment processes are available to enhance microstructural properties, resistant starch, techno-functional, morphological, and, film-forming properties. Compared with other starch sources, there is a lack of systematic information on the LRS. Many industries are interested in developing food products based on starch such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, edible films, and many others. Additionally, there are several recommendations to improve the applications in the food industry. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future possibility of LRS.

Pathway elucidation and microbial synthesis of proaporphine and bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has been utilized as a food, medicine, and spiritual symbol for nearly 3000 years. The medicinal properties of lotus are largely attributed to its unique profile of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which includes potential anti-cancer, anti-malarial and anti-arrhythmic compounds. BIA biosynthesis in sacred lotus differs markedly from that of opium poppy and other members of the Ranunculales, most notably in an abundance of BIAs possessing the (R)-stereochemical configuration and the absence of reticuline, a major branchpoint intermediate in most BIA producers. Owing to these unique metabolic features and the pharmacological potential of lotus, we set out to elucidate the BIA biosynthesis network in N. nucifera. Here we show that lotus CYP80G (NnCYP80G) and a superior ortholog from Peruvian nutmeg (Laurelia sempervirens; LsCYP80G) stereospecifically convert (R)-N-methylcoclaurine to the proaporphine alkaloid glaziovine, which is subsequently methylated to pronuciferine, the presumed precursor to nuciferine. While sacred lotus employs a dedicated (R)-route to aporphine alkaloids from (R)-norcoclaurine, we implemented an artificial stereochemical inversion approach to flip the stereochemistry of the core BIA pathway. Exploiting the unique substrate specificity of dehydroreticuline synthase from common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and pairing it with dehydroreticuline reductase enabled de novo synthesis of (R)-N-methylcoclaurine from (S)-norcoclaurine and its subsequent conversion to pronuciferine. We leveraged our stereochemical inversion approach to also elucidate the role of NnCYP80A in sacred lotus metabolism, which we show catalyzes the stereospecific formation of the bis-BIA nelumboferine. Screening our collection of 66 plant O-methyltransferases enabled conversion of nelumboferine to liensinine, a potential anti-cancer bis-BIA from sacred lotus. Our work highlights the unique benzylisoquinoline metabolism of N. nucifera and enables the targeted overproduction of potential lotus pharmaceuticals using engineered microbial systems.

Recent advances on bioactive compounds, biosynthesis mechanism, and physiological functions of Nelumbo nucifera.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, commonly known as lotus, is a genus comprising perennial and rhizomatous aquatic plants, found throughout Asia and Australia. This review aimed to cover the biosynthesis of flavonoids, alkaloids, and lipids in plants and their types in different parts of lotus. This review also examined the physiological functions of bioactive compounds in lotus and the extracts from different organs of the lotus plant. The structures and identities of flavonoids, alkaloids, and lipids in different parts of lotus as well as their biosynthesis were illustrated and updated. In the traditional medicine systems and previous scientific studies, bioactive compounds and the extracts of lotus have been applied for treating inflammation, cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc. We suggest future studies to be focused on standardization of the extract of lotus, and their pharmacological mechanisms as drugs or functional foods. This review is important for the lotus-based food processing and application.

The Inhibition of Autophagy and Pyroptosis by an Ethanol Extract of Nelumbo nucifera Leaf Contributes to the Amelioration of Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy.

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decline in muscle mass and function. Excessive glucocorticoids in the body due to aging or drug treatment can promote muscle wasting. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of Nelumbo nucifera leaf (NNL) ethanolic extract on muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, in mice and its underlying mechanisms. The administration of NNL extract increased weight, cross-sectional area, and grip strength of quadriceps (QD) and gastrocnemius (GA) muscles in DEX-induced muscle atrophy in mice. The NNL extract administration decreased the expression of muscle atrophic factors, such as muscle RING-finger protein-1 and atrogin-1, and autophagy factors, such as Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3-I/II), and sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1) in DEX-injected mice. DEX injection increased the protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved-caspase-1, interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), and cleaved-gasdermin D (GSDMD), which were significantly reduced by NNL extract administration (500 mg/kg/day). In vitro studies using C2C12 myotubes also revealed that NNL extract treatment inhibited the DEX-induced increase in autophagy factors, pyroptosis-related factors, and NF-κB. Overall, the NNL extract prevented DEX-induced muscle atrophy by downregulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy pathway, and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway, which are involved in muscle degradation.

Anthocyanin metabolism in Nelumbo: translational and post-translational regulation control transcription.

BACKGROUND: Lotus (Nelumbo Adans.) is used as an herbal medicine and the flowers are a source of natural flavonoids. 'Da Sajin', which was firstly found in the plateau area, is a natural mutant in flower color with red streamers dyeing around white petals. RESULTS: The LC-MS-MS results showed that eight anthocyanin compounds, including cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, malvidin 3-O-galactoside, and malvidin 3-O-glucoside, were differentially enriched in red-pigmented tissues of the petals, whereas most of these metabolites were undetected in white tissues of the petals. Transcriptome profiling indicated that the relative high expression levels of structural genes, such as NnPAL, NnF3H, and NnANS, was inconsistent with the low anthocyanin concentration in white tissues. Members of the NnMYB and NnbHLH transcription factor families were presumed to play a role in the metabolic flux in the anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthetic pathway. The expression model of translational initiation factor, ribosomal proteins and SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein complex related genes suggested an important role for translational and post-translational network in anthocyanin biosynthesis. In addition, pathway analysis indicated that light reaction or photo destruction might be an important external cause for floral color determination in lotus. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it is supposed that the natural lotus mutant 'Da Sajin' may have originated from a red-flowered ancestor. Partial loss of anthocyanin pigments in petals may result from metabolic disorder caused by light destruction. This disorder is mainly regulated at post translation and translation level, resulting in a non-inherited phenotype. These results contribute to an improved understanding of anthocyanin metabolism in lotus, and indicate that the translational and post-translational regulatory network determines the metabolic flux of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins under specific environmental conditions.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, and application of the polysaccharides from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (lotus): A review.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (lotus) is a widely distributed plant with a long history of cultivation and consumption. Almost all parts of the lotus can be used as foodstuff and nourishment, or as an herb. It is noteworthy that the polysaccharides obtained from lotus exhibit surprisingly and satisfying biological activities, which explains the various benefits of lotus to human health, including anti-diabetes, anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. Here, we systematically review the recent major studies on extraction and purification methods of polysaccharides from different parts (rhizome, seed, leaf, plumule, receptacle and stamen) of lotus, as well as the characterization of their chemical structure, biological activity and structure-activity relationship, and the applications of lotus polysaccharides in different fields. This article will give an updated and deeper understanding of lotus polysaccharides and provide theoretical basis for their further research and application in human health and manufacture development.

Explainable machine learning-assisted origin identification: Chemical profiling of five lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) parts.

Five homologous lotus parts, namely, the leaf, stamen, plumule, flower and leaf base, are all ancient nutrient sources, but their chemical differences are poorly understood. Identification of these parts of origin could contribute to determining reasonable edible and/or medicinal applications without misuse/waste risk. The present work aimed to investigate the feasibility of using metabolic profiles coupled with explainable machine learning (ML) for tracing lotus parts of origin. Assisted with molecular networking, 151 compounds were systematically annotated through an untargeted metabolomics approach. Twenty-eight representative constituents were subsequently quantified for the construction of the ML algorithm. Because most ML algorithms are data-driven black boxes with opaque inner workings, the SHaply Additive exPlanation technique was innovatively used to understand model outputs. By offering an integral analytical platform for phytochemical characterization and information interpretation, these results could serve as a basis for an explainable tool for identification of the specific lotus part of origin.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Leaf-Fermentation Supernatant Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and Suppresses Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf is a typical homologous ingredient of medicine and food with lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. In the present study, lotus leaves were fermented by two probiotics, Enterococcus faecium WEFA23 and Enterococcus hirae WEHI01, and the anti-adipogenic effect of Enterococcus fermented lotus leaf supernatant (FLLS) was evaluated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with the aim of exploring whether its anti-obesity ability will be enhanced after fermentation with Enterococcus and to dig out the potential corresponding mechanism. The FLLS fermented by E. hirae WEHI01 (FLLS-WEHI01) was selected and further investigated for its ability to inhibit obesity in vivo in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats (male, 110 ± 5 g, 4 weeks old) due to its superior inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation (inhibition rate of up to 56.17%) in 3T3-L1 cells (p = 0.008 for WEHI01-L, p < 0.001 for WEHI01-H). We found that the oral administration of both the low and high doses of FLLS-WEHI01 could achieve some effects, namely decreasing body weight (p < 0.001), epididymal fat mass, adipocyte cell size, LDL-C levels (p = 0.89, 0.02, respectively), liver TC levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively), and TG levels (p = 0.2137, p = 0.0464, respectively), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.1585, p = 0.0009), and improved insulin resistance (p = 0.33, 0.01, respectively) in rats of the model group. Moreover, the administration of both high and low doses of FLLS-WEHI01 decreased the transcription levels of adipogenic transcription factors and corresponding genes such as Pparγ (p < 0.001), Cebpα (p < 0.001), Acc (p < 0.001), and Fas (p < 0.001) by at least three times. These results indicate that FLLS-WEHI01 can potentially be developed as an healthy, anti-obesity foodstuff.

Structures and antiosteoclastogenic activity of compounds isolated from edible lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaves and stems.

One new 1,4-bis-phenyl-1,4-butanedione glycoside (14), one new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid (16), and 16 known compounds were isolated from the leaves and stems of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations and Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy was used to determine absolute configurations of the new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid (16). All the isolated compounds were examined for their antiosteoclastogenic activity. Preliminarily results of the TRAP staining on RAW 264.7 cells indicated that compounds 1 and 11 possess potential inhibitory effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. Further bioassay investigation was carried out to reveal that compounds 1 and 11 suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in a concentration-dependent manner with the inhibition up to 55% and 78% at the concentration of 10 µM, respectively. In addition, the structure-activity relationship analysis showed that the 1,3-dioxole substitute and the double bond at C-6a/C-7 in the aporphine skeleton may be responsible for the antiosteoclastogenic activity. The findings provided valuable insights for the discovery and structural modification of aporphine alkaloids as the antiosteoclastogenic lead compounds.

Inhibition of Three Diabetes-Related Enzymes by Procyanidins from Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Seedpods.

The inhibitory effects of procyanidins from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seedpods on the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), were studied and compared with those of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), procyanidin dimer B2 and trimer C1. The results showed that Lotus procyanidin extract (LPE) significantly inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase and PTP1B with IC50 values of 5.5, 1.0, and 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibition increased with the degree of polymerization and the existence of galloyl or gallocatechin units. Kinetic analysis showed that LPE inhibited α-glucosidase activity in a mixed competitive and noncompetitive mode. Fluorescence quenching revealed that α-glucosidase interacted with LPE or EGCG in an apparent static mode, or the model of "sphere of action". The apparent static (K) and bimolecular (kq) constants were 4375 M-1 and 4.375 × 1011 M-1 s-1, respectively, for LPE and 1195 M-1 and 1.195 × 1011 M-1 s-1, respectively, for EGCG. Molecular docking analysis provided further information on the interactions of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, EGCG, B2 and C1 with α-glucosidase. It is hypothesized that LPE may bind to multiple sites of the enzyme through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, leading to conformational changes in the enzyme and thus inhibiting its activity. These findings first elucidate the inhibitory effect of LPE on diabetes-related enzymes and highlight the usefulness of LPE as a dietary supplement for the prophylaxis of diabetes.

Research Advances in Lotus Leaf as Chinese Dietary Herbal Medicine.

Lotus leaf (Heye), the dry foliage of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, has been valuable as a dietary herbal medicine for thousands of years. Phytochemical studies indicated that alkaloids and flavonoids are the main components of Heye. Polysaccharides, terpenes, and amino acids are also active ingredients. The drug properties of Heye are mild and bitter. Meridian tropism is mainly distributed in the liver, spleen, and stomach meridian. In the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theoretical system, it is in many formulas for the therapy of various symptoms, including wasting-thirst induced by summer heat, diarrhea caused by summer heat-dampness and spleen deficiency, hematochezia, flooding and spotting, among others. Nowadays, the extracts and active components of Heye demonstrate multiple bioactivities, for instance anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antiviral, antimicrobial, as well as hemostatic activities. This review will provide an overview of Heye serving as a typical plant with functions of both medicine and food, including its practical applications in terms of TCM and healthy diet, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, together with its toxicity. Besides, the new points and prospects of Heye in the overview are also outlined straightforwardly.

Structural characterization and in vitro analysis of the prebiotic activity of oligosaccharides from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds.

In the present study, lotus seed oligosaccharides (LOSs) were isolated from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds using preparative liquid chromatography. LOS structures were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), acid hydrolysis, tandemmass spectrometry (MS/MS) and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Then, Lactobacillus acidophilus was used to evaluate the prebiotic activity of LOSs in vitro. The structural analysis revealed that the monosaccharide components of LOSs included glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose. The MS/MS results indicated that disaccharides, trisaccharides, trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides were the constituents of isolated oligosaccharide polymers LOS2, LOS3-1, LOS3-2, and LOS4, respectively. The FT-IR and 1D/2D NMR data confirmed that LOS3 and LOS4 had a linear structure consisting of (1 â†’ 6)-α-d-mannopyranosyl and glucopyranosyl residues. LOS3-1 and LOS4 effectively and selectively promoted the growth of an L. acidophilus strain, according to the results of the assays of optical density and the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the culture broth.

Phytochemical Diversity and Antioxidant Potential of Natural Populations of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. throughout the Floristic Regions in Thailand.

Asian lotus has long been consumed as a food and herbal drug that provides several health benefits. The number of studies on its biological activity is significant, but research at the population level to investigate the variation in phytochemicals and biological activity of each population which is useful for a more efficient phytopharmaceutical application strategy remains needed. This present study provided the frontier results to fill-in this necessary gap to investigating the phytopharmaceutical potential of perianth and stamen, which represent an important part for Asian traditional medicines, from 18 natural populations throughout Thailand by (1) determining their phytochemical profiles, such as total contents of phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, and (2) determining the antioxidant activity of these natural populations using various antioxidant assays to examine different mechanisms. The result showed that Central is the most abundant floristic region. The stamen was higher in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, whereas perianth was higher in monomeric anthocyanin content. This study provided the first description of the significant correlation between phytochemical contents in perianth compared with stamen extracts, and indicated that flavonoids are the main phytochemical class. This analysis indicated that the stamen is a richer source of flavonoids than perianth, and provided the first report to quantify different flavonoids accumulated in stamen and perianth extracts under their native glycosidic forms at the population level. Various antioxidant assays revealed that major flavonoids from N. nucifera prefer the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism when quenching free radicals. The significant correlations between various phytochemical classes and the different antioxidant tests were noted by Pearson correlation coefficients and emphasized that the antioxidant capability of an extract is generally the result of complex phytochemical combinations as opposed to a single molecule. These current findings offer the alternative starting materials to assess the phytochemical diversity and antioxidant potential of N. nucifera for phytopharmaceutical sectors.

Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection Method for the Separation and Quantification of Antioxidant and Skin Anti-Aging Flavonoids from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Stamen Extract.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., or the so-called sacred lotus, is a useful aquatic plant in the Nelumbonaceae family that has long been used to prepare teas, traditional medicines as well as foods. Many studies reported on the phytochemicals and biological activities of its leaves and seeds. However, to date, only few studies were conducted on its stamen, which is the most important ingredient for herbal medicines, teas and other phytopharmaceutical products. Thus, this present study focuses on the following: (1) the application of high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection for a validated separation and quantification of flavonoids from stamen; (2) the Nelumbo nucifera stamen's in vitro and in cellulo antioxidant activities; as well as (3) its potential regarding the inhibition of skin aging enzymes for cosmetic applications. The optimal separation of the main flavonoids from the stamen ethanolic extract was effectively achieved using a core-shell column. The results indicated that stamen ethanolic extract has higher concentration of in vitro and in cellulo antioxidant flavonoids than other floral components. Stamen ethanolic extract showed the highest protective effect against reactive oxygen/nitrogen species formation, as confirmed by cellular antioxidant assay using a yeast model. The evaluation of potential skin anti-aging action showed that the stamen extract has higher potential to inhibit tyrosinase and collagenase compared with its whole flower. These current findings are the first report to suggest the possibility to employ N. nucifera stamen ethanolic extract as a tyrosinase and collagenase inhibitor in cosmetic applications, as well as the utility of the current separation method.

Nuciferine from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats.

The study explored the cardioprotective role of the methanolic leaf extract of Nelumbo nucifera and nuciferine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar rats. Pretreatment with leaf extract and nuciferine (200 and 20 mg/kg body weight, respectively) against MI induced by isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) significantly decreased heart weight; levels of cardiac markers such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB were similar to those in controls. The treatment significantly increased the content of endogenous antioxidants and decreased lipid peroxidation in all treated groups. Treated groups showed a significant reduction in heartbeats per minute as compared with the MI-induced positive control. The MI-induced group showed pathological implications such as tachycardia, left atrial enlargement, and anterolateral ST-elevated MI, which were absent in treated groups. Histology confirmed that the leaf extract and nuciferine prevented structural abnormality and inflammation in heart and liver tissues of treated groups. On in silico analysis, nuciferine showed stronger binding interaction with both ß1 and ß2 adrenergic receptors than isoproterenol. Hence, the leaf extract of N. nucifera and nuciferine could be used as plant-based cardioprotective agents.