Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

The Blue waterlily, also called as Indian blue lotus is the water lily found in the Indian subcontinent but it is not a lotus [1]. It has blue petals, and the center of the flower is pale yellow. It is described as Nilotpala in Ayurveda. Nymphaea nouchali is an important and well-known medicinal plant, widely used in the Traditional systems of medicines for the treatment of Prameha, Shopha, YakritVikara, Mutrakricha, Pradararoga, as a vajikarana drug, and as a rasayana. Due to its Tikta (Bitter taste) Rasa [2], it is useful in all rakta and pittaja disorders along with guna of agnivardhana. Ayurveda classics described the use of Bitter taste herb for the regulation of heat, fever, and pitta conditions3. The bitter taste herbs are the most effective herbs for cooling pitta, sedating, detoxifying the liver, and reducing the deepseated heat/fever in the interior of the body. Tikta Rasa also increases Agni (digestive fire) besides they do not aggravate pitta. (Tables 1 and 2)

Table 1: Taxonomy [3]

Table 2: Synonyms [4-6]

Morphological description [7-10]

Herb occurs mostly in the broken form of varying sizes of dried pieces of flowers and buds which is dark brown. Flower morphology is as given in Table 3. Habitat [11, 12]

Table 3: Flower morphology

The dried flower of Nymphaea Nouchali (Fam. Nymphaceae) known as Utpala; an aquatic herb, generally found in tanks and ponds throughout the warmer parts of the country throughout the warmer parts of India, particularly the Eastern Ghats. It is majorly grown in Southeast Asia as an ornate around the temples.

Name: Nilotpala

English name: Water lily

Botanical name: Nymphaea nouchali

Ayurvedic properties [13]

Rasa (Taste): Sweet (Madhura), Astringent (Tikta)

Guna (Property): Unctuous (Snigdha)

Veerya (Potency): Cold (Sheeta)

Vipaka (End result): Sweet (Madhura)

Doshagnata (Effect): Kaphapittashamaka

Photochemistry [3, 14-18]

Sterols, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids are present in solvent extracts of entire plants. Nymphayol (25, 26-dinorcholest-5-en- 3b-ol), a new sterol and lead compound are isolated from an extract of the flower by successive chloroform. Seeds contain protein, pentosan, mucilage, and tannins. The flower of the plant contains astragalin, corilagin, gallic acid methyl ester, isokaempferide, quercetin-3-methyl ether, quercetin, kaempferol, 2,3,4,6-tetra-o-galloyl dextroglucose, and 3-o-methylquercetin-3’-o-beta dextroxylopyranoside. The quantitative determination of gallic acid from hydroalcoholic dried flower extract has been observed in the HPTLC method. The proximate analysis showed the following:

• Dry Matter -8.4%

• Crude Protein-16.8

• Ash-18.7

• Crude Fat-2.8

• Crude Fiber-26.3

• Nitrogen Free Extract-35.4

• Minerals

• Sodium-1.19

• Potassium-2.23

• Calcium-0.52

• Phosphorus-0.32

• Calcium / Phosphorus ratio 1.63.

N. nouchali also showed polyphenols total-8.7%, free-5.9%, and bound-2.8%.

Pharmacological actions

Antimicrobial activities [19, 20]

Antimicrobial activity was tested using a disc diffusion assay. Bacterial susceptibility is tested by Mueller Hinton Agar and Fungal Susceptibility by Potato Dextrose Broth. The antibacterial activity of NHS extract varies depending on the various concentrations level used and the microorganisms which are tested. The inhibition zone varies between 8 mm and 25 mm in diameter. NHS extract has high susceptibility but in different concentrations to almost all kinds of microorganisms. The recent studies show even at a very low concentration of 62.5μg/ml the crude extract possessed significant inhibitory activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and V. cholera. The growth of E. Faecalis was inhibited at 125μg/ml of extract. The NHS extract at 500μg/ml concentration, effectively suppressed P. aeruginosa(20 mm) which was higher than the standard antibiotic streptomycin (17 mm) taken as reference. The notable anti-bacterial activity against S. typhi, P.aeruginosa, E .coli, and V. cholerae is shown by NHS extract. It also showed remarkable activity against S. Aureus and B. cereus. Thus it can be stated that both gram-negative and grampositive bacteria can be effectively controlled by the NHS extract.

Antifungal activity [21, 22]

Among all the tested fungi, the NHS extract showed a significant fungal growth inhibition as compared to the standard amphotericin B. NHS extract is tested against five fungi but the best result for fungal inhibition is obtained with C. Albicans showing 19 mm diameter.

Antihepatotoxic activity [23, 24]

The Antihepatotoxic activity induced by the extract could be due to stabilization of cell membrane, hepatic cell regeneration, antioxidative enzyme activation such as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. It also significantly reduced the prolongation of sleeping time and prevented the CCl4- induced increase in liver volume and weight, and even mortality. Necrosis of the liver is also prevented by extract and promoted liver generation. On the administration of Nymphaea stellata wild., flower varying dosage orally to rats for 10 days showed the hepatoprotection against carbon tetrachloride-induced elevation in serum marker enzymes, serum bilirubin, liver lipid peroxidation. This administration also shows the reduction in liver glutathione, liver glutathione peroxidase, glycogen, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity [25, 26]

The aconitine-induced writhing in mice showed the significant analgesic property in the extract. It also revealed antipyretic activity against carrageenin-induced rat paw edema. The result of antiinflammatory activities was comparable to hydrocortisone.

Anti-diabetic effects [27, 28]

STZ-diabetic rats showed significant restoration of plasma insulin and glucose levels on oral administration of Nymphayol for 45 days which is near to normal levels. The increased level of insulin-positive β -cells is revealed in Nymphayol-treated diabetic pancreas which is immunocytochemically stained and Light Microscope. The insulin assay revealed that the action of Nymphayol which stimulates the secretion of insulin in β -cells may be due to the reversal of the damaged endocrine tissue. The protection of pancreatic β -cells is enhanced due to the antioxidant defense mechanism of Nymphayol against the reactive oxygen species which are produced in hyperglycemic conditions.

Antiulcer activity [29, 30]

Increases in the level of antioxidants, gastric mucus, and PGE2 level and significant decreases in UI, lipid peroxidation, and MPO level are observed in the animals pretreated with (45 mg/kg)Nymphayol (NYM). Ethanol-induced ulcerated animals showed a decrease in the level of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and a significant increase in the Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), and interferon- γ (IFN- γ), any inequalities found were amended by NYM pretreatment. As compared to the ethanol-induced ulcer group, NYM pretreatment increased the Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic marker, and decreased the Pro-apoptotic markers including caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3.

DNA protective activities [31]

Scavenging capacity for numerous free radicles is present in the Nymphaea nouchali flower (NNF) extract. DNA damage is prevented by NNF extract and also no sign of toxicity was shown while quench cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). The expression of both primary and phase II detoxifying enzymes is augmented by NNF extract which results in Oxidative stress combat. This is achieved by the mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAP kinase) (p38 kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) phosphorylation which is followed by the nuclear translocation enhancement of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This reduced the cellular ROS generation and confers protection from cell death.

Traditional uses: It is can be used for medicinal use as a single or in combination with other drugs. Dried flowers of N.nouchalli are also known as Utpala in Sanskrit are used as ingredients in several ayurvedic formulations having multiple uses. Polyherbal formulations also use it as an ingredient for anti-aging, rejuvenation, and menstrual irregularities. Roots and Rhizomes of N.nouchalli have high nutritional value and can be eaten raw or roasted. Rhizomes of this plant are used in medicine, flower and flower stalks are used as vegetables, green manure, and animal fodder while flowers are used in the temples.

Therapeutic uses: According to Plant Parts, its uses are:

1. Whole plant: It is used in Liver Disorders. Its roots, leaves, and flowers are found useful in the treatment of Infertility, Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Dysentery, Indigestion. It acts as Diuretic, stimulant, Cardiotonic, and Aphrodisiac.

2. Flower: 3- gm. of drug is used in Pipasa Daha (Burning Thirst), Raktapitta (Bile-Blood), Chardi (Vomiting), Murchha (Fainting), Hradroga (Heart Disease), Mutra Krachha (Painful Micturition), Jvaratisar (Diarrhoea with fever), Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumeha). Palpitation of the Heart can be treated by a decoction of flower and also used as a narcotic, the syrup is used in case of high fever, apoplexy, inflammatory disease. The Filaments have astringent and cooling effects in the burning sensation of the body, Bleeding Piles and Menorrhagia.

3. Rootstock: Powder is used to treat dyspepsia, Diarrhoea, and Piles.

4. Root: The roots are used in Blenorrhagia, UTI, Infertility, Diabetes.

5. Rhizome and Stem: Used in the treatment of Blenorrhagia, Menstrual Problem, and UTI.

6. Flower and Rhizome: They are astringent, antiseptic, mild sedative, used in infusion in chronic diarrhea, and as douche in leucorrhoea and vaginitis, as a gargle for sore throat.

7. Leaf: Leaves are crushed and applied as a lotion in eruptive fever.

8. Seed: Seeds are used in Diabetes Mellitus.

9. Petiole: Petiole is taken and crushed to make a paste, common salt, seed powder (Cuminum cyminum), butter, and few drops of honey are added and given in excessive menstrual discharge. It is also used in bleeding during Pregnancy.

Conclusion

N. nouchalli is the traditional herbs with multiples uses in Indian traditional rituals as well as medicinal uses as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, act as DNA protective agent. It is very effective in Bleeding Disorders. It is highly recommended for gynecological disorders like menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and many other menstrual problems.

Acknowledgement:

Not applicable.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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