What Is Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)? Other Names: Bean of India, Blue Lotus, Chinese Water Lily

What is Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Lotus, scientifically known as Nelumbo nucifera, is an aquatic plant belonging to the Nelumbonaceae family. It is commonly referred to as the Indian lotus, sacred lotus, or bean of India. This plant is renowned for its striking flowers and is widely cultivated in Asia, particularly in Thailand, where it is known as “Dok Bua”2. The lotus is not only admired for its beauty but also for its ability to thrive in aquatic environments, with seeds that can remain viable for many years, even up to 1,300 years under favorable conditions2. Other names include: Bean of India, Blue Lotus, Chinese Water Lily, East Indian Lotus, He Ye, Kamal, Indian Lotus, Lian Fang, Lian Xu, Lian Zi, Lian Zi Xin, Lotier, Loto, Lotus Bleu, Lotus d’Égypte, Lotus des Indes, Lotus d’Orient, Lotus Sacré, Nelumbium nelumbo, Nelumbium speciosa, Nelumbium speciosum, Nelumbo caspica, Nelumbo komarovii, Nelumbo nelumbo, Nelumbo nucifera, Nelumbo speciosum, Nymphaea nelumbo, Oriental Lotus, Padma, Padmoj, Sacred Lotus, Semen Nelumbinis.

Medicinal and Pharmacological Properties

Nelumbo nucifera is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Various parts of the plant, including leaves, seeds, and flowers, are used in traditional medicine. The plant exhibits antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anticancer potential5. Lotus leaf extracts have been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and preneoplastic lesions in the liver, indicating its protective role against liver carcinogenesis5. Additionally, lotus seeds have demonstrated analgesic properties in experimental models, providing relief from pain7 10.

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

The lotus plant is also utilized for its nutritional benefits. Lotus leaf powder has been used as a feed supplement to improve growth performance and health status in Nile tilapia, showcasing its potential as a natural feed additive in aquaculture3. Furthermore, lotus seed tea has been found to offer photoprotective effects against UVB irradiation, helping to maintain skin moisture and prevent damage from sun exposure4.

Applications in Food and Beverage

Lotus is incorporated into various food and beverage products. For instance, lotus flower extracts are used to create anti-aging drinks due to their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress2. The plant’s bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, contribute to its antioxidant activities, making it a popular ingredient in health-promoting beverages2.

Environmental and Agricultural Significance

In addition to its medicinal and nutritional uses, Nelumbo nucifera plays a role in environmental and agricultural contexts. The plant is cultivated for its flowers, which are used in religious and cultural ceremonies across Asia8. Research has also explored methods to enhance lotus flowering through photoperiod manipulation, which can increase the yield and quality of lotus flowers for commercial purposes8.

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Adverse Effects of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Safety and Toxicity

Acute Toxicity: Studies on the acute toxicity of lotus seed ethanol extract in mice showed no signs of toxicity, even at high doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight. There were no observed changes in body weight, diet intake, or organ weights, and no mortality or behavioral changes were noted, suggesting a high safety margin2.

CNS Effects: The alcoholic extract of Nelumbo nucifera seeds demonstrated CNS depressant activity in rats, as evidenced by reduced motor activity. This suggests potential sedative effects at certain dosages, particularly with the red lotus seed extract at 600 mg/kg4.

Potential Adverse Effects

CNS Depression: The CNS depressant activity observed in animal studies indicates that high doses of lotus extracts might lead to reduced motor activity, which could be considered an adverse effect in contexts where alertness is required4.

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How has Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Improved Patient Outcomes?

Reduction in Acne Symptoms: A study demonstrated that the use of blue and pink lotus flower extract significantly reduced acne symptoms. Patients in the treatment group experienced a 76% reduction in the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score, compared to only a 4.2% reduction in the placebo group. This indicates a substantial improvement in acne severity for those using the lotus extract1.

Improvement in Quality of Life: The Acne Disability Index (ADI), which measures the impact of acne on patients’ lives, decreased by 65.01% in the treatment group, compared to just 5.6% in the placebo group. This suggests that the lotus extract not only reduces physical symptoms but also improves the psychological and social well-being of patients1.

Safety Profile: The study reported no significant side effects in either the treatment or placebo groups, indicating that the lotus extract is a safe option for managing acne vulgaris1.

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Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

Antioxidant Activity: Lotus extracts, particularly from leaves and seeds, have significant antioxidant properties. They inhibit lipid peroxidation and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase, which help in reducing oxidative stress2 4.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Lotus seed extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which plays a role in inflammation. This effect is observed in both red and white lotus seed varieties5.

Lipid Regulation and Obesity Management

Lipid Metabolism: Lotus leaf ethanol extract (LLEE) can significantly reduce serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels. It also modulates gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing pro-inflammatory bacteria, which helps in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders1.

Prevention of Hyperlipidemia: The regulation of gut flora by LLEE suggests its potential in preventing hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood1.

Hepatoprotective and Anticancer Properties

Liver Protection: Lotus leaf extract has been shown to protect against liver damage and carcinogenesis by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing the liver’s antioxidant defense system. It decreases lipid peroxides and increases non-enzymatic antioxidants, thereby protecting against liver cancer4.

Skin Protection

Photoprotective Effects: Lotus seed tea provides skin protection against UVB irradiation by maintaining skin moisture, reducing protein oxidation, and preventing the formation of abnormal keratinocytes, which are crucial for skin health6.

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Common Complaints Associated with Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Use

Petal Blackening: One of the primary issues with lotus flowers postharvest is the rapid blackening of petals, which detracts from their aesthetic appeal and reduces their market value1.

Short Vase Life: Due to the petal blackening and other physiological changes, the vase life of lotus flowers is often shorter than desired, affecting their commercial viability1.

Mitigation Strategies

Use of EthylBloc Sachet and 2,4-PDCA: The combination of EthylBloc Sachet and 2,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) has been shown to effectively reduce petal blackening and extend the vase life of lotus flowers. This treatment increases water uptake, delays weight loss, and reduces ethylene production and respiration in the flowers, thereby prolonging their freshness1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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