Recent Advances of Whole Plant Nelumbo nucifera – A Review

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a perennial basal aquatic plant belonging to the small Nelumbaceae family, which contains only one genus with two species Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (Nymphaeaceae), also known as the sacred lotus, is a well-known medicinal plant.Lotus seeds are edible and have been used for centuries as a traditional medicine to treat various ailments.The plant has several therapeutic properties for which different parts are used.The longevity of lotus seeds is unique.Studies have shown that they have hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, anti-analgesic, anti-Parkinsonian, anti-reproductive, anti-dermatophyte and psychopharmacological properties.This article reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry and therapeutic reports on the different parts of N.nucifera, namely seeds, rhizomes, leaves and flowers.This report also describes the different compounds isolated from different parts of this plant and the therapeutic effects obtained from these plant constituents.The high content of fiber, starch, vitamins and minerals suggests that there may be good opportunities for future upgrading and application as functional additives and ingredients in the food industry.There is a need to study the properties of the lotus plant for incorporation as a functional ingredient in the food industry such as flour in the bakery industry, as an antioxidant, in baby foods, extruded products, beverages, etc., especially the properties of the lotus plant from the rhizome part.