Review · Volume 15, Issue 2 · pp. 226–234
Water Lily (Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f): An Ancient Treasure of Food and Medicine
Basani Kiranmai1,2,3, Mondi Sandhyarani3, Ashok Kumar Tiwari1,2
- 1Centre for Natural Products and Traditional Knowledge, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.
- 2Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA.
- 3Centre for Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.
Abstract
Nymphaea nouchali(Syn.Nymphaea stellata Willd.) from family Nymphaeaceae, is a species of perennial aquatic flowering plant with huge round floating leaves and rhizomes. It is well-known and prominent herb in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicines with multiple medicinal properties. It comes from southern and eastern regions of Asia, and is a national blossom of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Scientific investigation has revealed that it exhibits vast range of pharmacological actions, namely antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antihelmintic, antinociceptive, immunomodulatory activities etc. Polyphenols, flavonoids, sterols, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, protein, nymphasterol, nymphayol have been recognized as important factors in the medicinal effects of N. nouchali. The present review focuses on pharmacological and phytochemical investigation of N. nouchali.
Keywords: Blue water lily; Nymphaea nouchali; Pharmacological actions; Phytochemistry
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