State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(21):4867-4900. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2021.2009436. Epub 2021 Nov 30.
Different parts of lotus ( Gaertn.) including the seeds, rhizomes, leaves, and flowers, are used for medicinal purposes with health promoting and illness preventing benefits. The presence of active chemicals such as alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids (particularly alkaloids) may account for this plant's pharmacological effects. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview and summarize up-to-date research on the biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics, and bioactivity of lotus alkaloids as well as their safety. Moreover, the potential uses of lotus alkaloids in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors are explored. Current evidence shows that alkaloids, mainly consisting of aporphines, 1-benzylisoquinolines, and bisbenzylisoquinolines, are present in different parts of lotus. The bioavailability of these alkaloids is relatively low in vivo but can be enhanced by technological modification using nanoliposomes, liposomes, microcapsules, and emulsions. Available data highlights their therapeutic and preventive effects on obesity, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. Additionally, industrial applications of lotus alkaloids include their use as food, medical, and cosmetic ingredients in tea, other beverages, and healthcare products; as lipid-lowering, anticancer, and antipsychotic drugs; and in facial masks, toothpastes, and shower gels. However, their clinical efficacy and safety remains unclear; hence, larger and longer human trials are needed to achieve their safe and effective use with minimal side effects.
不同部位的莲（Gaertn.），包括种子、根茎、叶和花，都被用于药用，具有促进健康和预防疾病的功效。这种植物的药理学作用可能归因于其存在活性化学物质，如生物碱、酚酸、类黄酮和萜类化合物（特别是生物碱）。在这篇综述中，我们全面概述并总结了莲生物碱的生物合成、药代动力学和生物活性及其安全性的最新研究。此外，还探讨了莲生物碱在食品、制药和化妆品领域的潜在用途。现有证据表明，生物碱主要由阿朴啡类、1-苄基异喹啉类和双苄基异喹啉类组成，存在于莲的不同部位。这些生物碱在体内的生物利用度相对较低，但可以通过使用纳米脂质体、脂质体、微胶囊和乳液等技术修饰来增强。现有数据强调了它们对肥胖、糖尿病、神经退行性疾病、癌症、心血管疾病等的治疗和预防作用。此外，莲生物碱的工业应用包括将其用作茶、其他饮料和保健产品中的食品、医疗和化妆品成分；作为降血脂、抗癌和抗精神病药物；以及在面膜、牙膏和沐浴露中的应用。然而，它们的临床疗效和安全性仍不清楚；因此，需要进行更大规模和更长时间的人体试验，以实现其安全有效使用，并将副作用降至最低。
