Nymphaea alba and Liver Protection

Abstract

This chapter highlights the importance of Nymphaea alba as a promising hepatoprotective candidate. It starts by its description as an aquatic plant with a long history in traditional medicine, presenting its folk uses. Flavonoids and hydrolyzable tannins were the major identified classes of active constituents in the flower, leaf, and rhizome. A variety of biological activities have been described, but the focus was on studies that could contribute to the hepatoprotective activity. Studies performed in intoxicated animal models showed amelioration in the liver markers, restoration of the antioxidant defense system, and a prominent effect on inflammatory mediators. The correlation between the phenolics identified, especially tannins, and the antihepatotoxic effect is discussed.