Next Article in Journal
Real-World Laboratory Analysis of Molecular Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis Centers in Central-Eastern European Countries Covering 107 Million Inhabitants
Previous Article in Journal
A Review of FDG-PET in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndrome
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
IJMS
Volume 26
Issue 17
10.3390/ijms26178280
ijms-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

by
Douyang Zhao
1,
Linlin Ma
1,2,
Jeremy Brownlie
2,
Kathryn Tonissen
1,2,
Yang Pan
3 and
Yunjiang Feng
1,2,*
1
Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
2
School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
3
School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 21023, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178280
Submission received: 18 July 2025 / Revised: 19 August 2025 / Accepted: 22 August 2025 / Published: 26 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological and Psychiatric Disease, 2nd Edition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) has long been used in traditional medicine across Asia, and its bioactive alkaloids have recently garnered attention for their neuroprotective properties. This review summarizes the current research on the mechanisms by which lotus-derived alkaloids, particularly neferine, nuciferine, liensinine, and isoliensinine, protect neural tissues. These compounds exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of calcium signaling and ion channels, promotion of neurogenesis, and modulation of key neurotransmitter systems, such as dopaminergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic pathways. Notably, they attenuate tau hyperphosphorylation, reduce oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis, and enhance neurotrophic signaling via BDNF-related pathways. While antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions are the most extensively studied, emerging evidence also highlights their roles in autophagy modulation and mitochondrial protection. Together, these findings suggest that lotus alkaloids are promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Further investigation is warranted to explore the synergistic mechanisms and potential clinical applications of these compounds.
Keywords: Nelumbo nucifera; lotus alkaloids; neuroprotection; calcium signaling; neurogenesis; neurotransmitter modulation; oxidative stress; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease Nelumbo nucifera; lotus alkaloids; neuroprotection; calcium signaling; neurogenesis; neurotransmitter modulation; oxidative stress; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, D.; Ma, L.; Brownlie, J.; Tonissen, K.; Pan, Y.; Feng, Y. Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 8280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178280

AMA Style

Zhao D, Ma L, Brownlie J, Tonissen K, Pan Y, Feng Y. Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(17):8280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178280

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Douyang, Linlin Ma, Jeremy Brownlie, Kathryn Tonissen, Yang Pan, and Yunjiang Feng. 2025. "Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 17: 8280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178280

APA Style

Zhao, D., Ma, L., Brownlie, J., Tonissen, K., Pan, Y., & Feng, Y. (2025). Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(17), 8280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178280

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop