ABSTRACT
The family Nympheaceae consists of 5 genera and 50 species of aquatic rhizomatous herbs which are cosmopolitan in distribution. Nympheaceae are known to be an elaborate series of sesquiterpene alkaloids. The evidence currently available suggests the family Nympheaceae to be an exciting source of cytotoxic, antiviral, and immunomodulating quinolizidine alkaloids; one can reasonably expect the discovery of clinical agents from this family in the relatively near future. The antiinflammatory property of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. is confirmed in vitro and in vivo. A methanol extract of rhizomes given at doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/Kg showed significant antiinflammatory activity in models of inflammation in rats as efficiently as phenylbutazone and dexamethasone. Water lilies or rou mao chi ye shui lian are used in the Philippines to treat gonorrhea. It is also rubbed on the forehead to induce sleeping.
