Nelumbo nucifera
Lotus/Drug Interactions:
Antiarrhythmic agentsAntiarrhythmic agents: In a review and in vitro study, alkaloids isolated from Nelumbo nucifera, including liensinine, daurisoline, and neferine, have been noted to have antiarrhythmic activity (15; 16; 17). AntibioticsAntibiotics: In in vitro study, lotus leaf extract as well as its constituent quercetin, had antibacterial effects against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4, Actinomyces viscosus 19246, Porphyromonas gingivalis 33277, Fusobacterium nucleatum 25586, and Actinomyces naeslundii wvl 45(5; 6). Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: In animal study, the alkyloid neferine from Nelumbo nucifera has been noted to have inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation (1). Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In animal study, lotus and its constituents reduced blood glucose and fasting blood insulin as well as improved glucose tolerance and potentiated the action of exogenously injected insulin (2; 3). AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In preliminary research, neferine and isoliensinine have been noted as two major constituents of the lotus plumule (rudimentary terminal bud) that may have antihypertensive effects (4). A hypotensive mechanism of the alkaloid NN-9 from Nelumbo nucifera has been noted (35). Further details are lacking at this time. Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In animal study, anti-inflammatory effects of a methanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome as well as of betulinic acid, a steroidal triterpenoid isolated from it, were shown on carrageenin- and serotonin-induced rat paw edema (39). Lipopolysaccharide-induced PGE(2) production was also inhibited in vitro (21). Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In animal study, lotus leaf extract reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (7; 8; 3; 9). Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In in vitro study, lotus extract had antimutagenic effects (38). Lotus cultivars from Korea had antiproliferative effects in vitro (18). In in vitro study, a nitrite-treated methanol lotus extract had mutagenic effects on Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 (38). Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In animal study, lotus leaf extract had antiobesity effects (9; 10). Antipyretic agentsAntipyretic agents: In animal study, an ethanol extract of stalks of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) had antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in rats (12; 13). Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: NN-B-5 from Nelumbo nucifera seeds significantly blocked herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) multiplication in HeLa cells without apparent cytotoxicity (14). Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers: Linesinine, an alkaloid extracted from the green seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., was shown to concentration-dependently decrease the action potential amplitude (APA) and the maximal velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax), and prolong the sinus cycle length (SCL) of slow AP in isolated sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaker cells of rabbits, suggesting calcium antagonistic effects (40). CNS depressantsCNS depressants: A methanolic extract of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera investigated for psychopharmacological actions in rats and mice was found to potentiate the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice significantly (36). Fertility agentsFertility agents: In preliminary animal study, Nelumbo nucifera was shown to have antifertility activity (37). Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: According to secondary sources, lotus may cause flatulence, constipation, and other gastrointestinal irritation.Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: In animal study, a flavonoid-enriched lotus leaf extract reduced liver damage associated with a high fat diet (8; 11). Hepatoprotective effects of lotus were tested using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocyte toxicity models (11). Treatment of hepatocytes with an ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera inhibited both the production of serum enzymes and cytotoxicity by CCl4. The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were also inhibited by an ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera in dose-dependent manners. The authors concluded that the hepatoprotective effects of this extract may result from antioxidant properties. ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In animal study, (s)-armepavine from lotus suppressed T cell proliferation (41). In animal study, extracts of lotus rhizome and seeds had immunological effects (20). Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts increased, and neutrophil counts decreased; there was also a dose-dependent potentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells. LaxativesLaxatives: In animal study, an extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome was used as an antidiarrheal agent in experimental rats (19). The extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome in graded doses (100, 200, 400 and 600mg/kg of body weight) reduced not only the frequency of defecation, wetness of fecal dropping, and PGE2-induced enteropooling but also the propulsive movements of charcoal meal significantly. Lotus/Herb/Supplement Interactions:
AntiarrhythmicsAntiarrhythmics: In a review and in vitro study, alkaloids isolated from Nelumbo nucifera, including liensinine, daurisoline and neferine, have been noted to have antiarrhythmic activity (15; 16; 17). AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In in vitro study, lotus leaf extract as well as its constituent quercetin, had antibacterial effects against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4, Actinomyces viscosus 19246, Porphyromonas gingivalis 33277, Fusobacterium nucleatum 25586, and Actinomyces naeslundii wvl 45(5; 6). Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: In animal study, the alkyloid neferine from Nelumbo nucifera has been noted to have inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation (1). Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: In animal study, anti-inflammatory effects of a methanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome as well as of betulinic acid, a steroidal triterpenoid isolated from it, were shown on carrageenin- and serotonin-induced rat paw edema (39). Lipopolysaccharide-induced PGE(2) production was also inhibited in vitro (21). AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In animal study, lotus leaf extract reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (7; 8; 3; 9). Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In in vitro study, lotus extract had antimutagenic effects (38). Lotus cultivars from Korea had antiproliferative effects in vitro (18). Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In animal study, lotus leaf extract had antiobesity effects (9; 10). AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In animal and in vitro study, lotus extracts were shown to have constituents with antioxidant effects (42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 18; 49). Antipyretic agentsAntipyretic agents: In animal study, an ethanol extract of stalks of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) had antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in rats (12; 13). Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: NN-B-5 from Nelumbo nucifera seeds significantly blocked herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) multiplication in HeLa cells without apparent cytotoxicity (14) Cardiac glycoside herbsCardiac glycoside herbs: Alkaloids isolated from Nelumbo nucifera, including liensinine, daurisoline and neferine, have been noted to have antiarrhythmic activity (15; 16; 17). Fertility agentsFertility agents: In preliminary animal study, Nelumbo nucifera was shown to have antifertility activity (37). Gastrointestinal herbs and supplementsGastrointestinal herbs and supplements: According to secondary sources, lotus may cause flatulence, constipation, and other gastrointestinal irritation.Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: In animal study, a flavonoid-enriched lotus leaf extract reduced liver damage associated with a high-fat diet (8). Hepatoprotective effects of lotus were tested using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocyte toxicity models (11). Treatment of hepatocytes with an ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera inhibited both the production of serum enzymes and cytotoxicity by CCl4. The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were also inhibited by an ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera in dose-dependent manners. The authors concluded that the hepatoprotective effects of this extract may result from antioxidant properties. HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In animal study, lotus and its constituents reduced blood glucose and fasting blood insulin as well as improved glucose tolerance and potentiated the action of exogenously injected insulin (2; 3). HypotensivesHypotensives: In preliminary research, neferine and isoliensinine have been noted as two major constituents of the lotus plumule (rudimentary terminal bud) that may have antihypertensive effects (4). A hypotensive mechanism of the alkaloid NN-9 from Nelumbo nucifera has been noted (35). Further details are lacking at this time. ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In animal study, (s)-armepavine from lotus suppressed T cell proliferation (41). In animal study, extracts of lotus rhizome and seeds had immunological effects (20). Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts increased, and neutrophil counts decreased; there was also a dose-dependent potentiation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells. LaxativesLaxatives: In animal study, an extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome was used as an antidiarrheal agent in experimental rats (19). The extract of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome in graded doses (100, 200, 400 and 600mg/kg of body weight) reduced not only the frequency of defecation, wetness of fecal dropping, and PGE2-induced enteropooling (a test for prostaglandin-induced diarrhea), but also the propulsive movements of charcoal meal significantly. SedativesSedatives: A methanolic extract of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera investigated for psychopharmacological actions in rats and mice was found to potentiate the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice significantly (36). Lotus/Food Interactions:
RiceRice: In China, the common food "sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf" was found to be a high-glycemic index food (50). Lotus/Lab Interactions:
Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In animal study, lotus and its constituents reduced blood sugar (2; 3). Blood pressureBlood pressure: In preliminary research, neferine and isoliensinine have been noted as two major constituents of the lotus plumule (rudimentary terminal bud) that may have antihypertensive effects (4). Body temperatureBody temperature: In animal study, an ethanol extract of stalks of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) was shown to have antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in rats (12; 13). Body weightBody weight: In animal study, lotus leaf extract had antiobesity effects (9; 10). Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: In animal study, neferine from Nelumbo nucifera has been noted to have inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation (1). CorticosteroneCorticosterone: In animal study, a lotus leaf extract attenuated acute and chronic restraint stress-induced increases in corticosterone levels (7). CytokinesCytokines: In animal study, neferine, a constituent of lotus green seed embryo, reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) (3). Heart rateHeart rate: Alkaloids isolated from Nelumbo nucifera, including liensinine, daurisoline and neferine, have been noted to have antiarrhythmic activity (15; 16; 17). Lipid profileLipid profile: In animal study, a lotus leaf extract reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (7; 8; 3; 9). NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters: In animal study, a lotus leaf extract attenuated acute and chronic restraint stress-induced increases in neurotransmitter levels (norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine) in the brain (7). ProteinProtein: In animal study, a lotus leaf extract attenuated acute and chronic restraint stress-induced increases in total protein levels (7). Serum insulinSerum insulin: In animal study, neferine, a constituent of Nelumbo nucifera, reduced levels of fasting blood insulin (3). White blood cell countWhite blood cell count: In animal study, extracts of lotus rhizome and seeds had immunological effects (20). Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts increased, and neutrophil counts decreased.