Nuciferine (Aporphine Alkaloid · D2 Partial Agonist · Anti-obesity)
| Compound | Nuciferine |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Isoquinoline (Aporphine) |
| CAS | 475-83-2 |
| Primary source | Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus leaf and seed embryo) |
| Key applications | Dopamine receptor modulation, anti-obesity, sedative, anti-arrhythmic |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract standardised to nuciferine |
| Buy from Herbuno | Lotus Saffron Liquid Extract (Water Soluble) - Nelumbo Nucifera → |
Commercial source: Nuciferine is commercially available as a constituent of Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) leaf extract. See sourcing options below. Traditional use: Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Kamal in Hindi, Lian in TCM) has been used across Asian traditions for centuries. Lotus leaf (He Ye in TCM) is used specifically for weight management, lipid metabolism, and as a cooling herb. Lotus seed (Lian Zi) is used for calming the mind and heart. Nuciferine is identified as a primary alkaloid in lotus leaf with documented anti-obesity and dopaminergic modulating properties. Research trajectory: Nuciferine has attracted research as a dopamine D2 receptor partial agonist (similar mechanism to aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic), which has implications for reward pathway modulation relevant to appetite, addiction research, and metabolic health. Anti-obesity effects in animal models are well-documented. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Nuciferine Applications
Anti-obesity and lipid metabolism: Nuciferine reduces body weight, fat accumulation, and improves lipid profiles in high-fat-diet obese animal models. Mechanisms include activation of AMPK, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, and dopamine D2 receptor modulation reducing reward-driven feeding behaviour. TCM clinical traditions for lotus leaf in weight management are supported by this mechanistic basis. Claim strength: Moderate.
Dopamine D2 receptor partial agonism: Nuciferine binds dopamine D2 receptors as a partial agonist — the same pharmacological classification as aripiprazole (Abilify). This modulates reward pathway activity without the full receptor activation or antagonism of classical dopaminergic drugs. Implications for appetite regulation, addiction vulnerability, and mood modulation are research areas of interest. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism established; clinical translation limited).
Sedative and anti-arrhythmic: Nuciferine has mild sedative activity in animal models (potentiating GABA-A receptor function) and anti-arrhythmic effects via calcium channel modulation. Consistent with lotus seed traditional use for calming and heart support. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
No established isolated human supplement dose for nuciferine. TCM lotus leaf for weight management: 6–12 g dried leaf/day as decoction. For standardised Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract, nuciferine content is typically 0.5–2% HPLC; doses of 200–500 mg/day extract are used in weight management applications. Request nuciferine content by HPLC on extract CoA.
Species note: Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus, pink/white lotus) is the correct botanical source for nuciferine. Do not confuse with Nymphaea caerulea (blue lotus), which contains different alkaloids (aporphines including nornuciferine but at low concentrations) and does not have the same nuciferine profile as Nelumbo nucifera. Always specify Nelumbo nucifera leaf or seed extract with HPLC nuciferine quantification.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nuciferine
Is nuciferine the same as the active in blue lotus products?
No. Blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) is an entirely different plant from sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Blue lotus contains trace amounts of aporphine alkaloids including nornuciferine and apomorphine-related compounds at very low concentrations. Nuciferine is primarily a Nelumbo nucifera alkaloid. Blue lotus products marketed for psychoactive or relaxant effects are based on a different alkaloid profile and should not be conflated with nuciferine from Nelumbo nucifera.
Is nuciferine’s D2 partial agonism clinically significant at supplement doses?
The D2 partial agonist mechanism is well-characterised in vitro and in vivo. Whether plasma nuciferine concentrations achievable from lotus leaf extract supplementation are sufficient to meaningfully modulate D2 receptor function in the human CNS is not established by pharmacokinetic data. The appetite-suppressing and anti-obesity effects in animal models may reflect peripheral metabolic mechanisms rather than solely CNS D2 modulation.
Can lotus leaf extract be positioned for weight management in supplement formulations?
Yes — lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) has a documented TCM tradition for weight and lipid management, supported by preclinical mechanistic data. Position as “traditionally used to support healthy weight management and lipid metabolism” or “studied to support healthy adipose metabolism.” Avoid obesity treatment or body fat reduction claims at specific percentages.
What other alkaloids co-occur with nuciferine in lotus leaf?
Lotus leaf contains multiple alkaloids including neferine (a bisbenzylisoquinoline), pronuciferine, lotusine, roemerine, and armepavine. Neferine is the most pharmacologically studied co-alkaloid after nuciferine, with documented cardiac protective and anti-cancer research. The full alkaloid complex from standardised lotus leaf extract provides broader phytochemical coverage than isolated nuciferine.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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