Lotus leaves (Nelumbo nucifera) are fresh or dried leaves of perennial aquatic plant N. nucifera

which are commonly used as a traditional Chinese herb as well as food. The optimal harvest seasons of lotus leaves are summer and autumn. Lotus leaves are mostly distributed and cultivated in drainage basins of Yellow River

Changjiang River and Zhujiang River in China. Modern research has shown that flavonoids and alkaloids are the principal constituents in lotus leaves. Along with the development modern research technologies

in-depth studies have showed that quercetin

isoquercetin and kaempferol are the main flavonoid aglycines

and isoquinoline alkaloids

aporphine alkaloids and its derivatives are the principal alkaloids. Lotus leaves have extensive pharmacological activities such as antioxidant

anti-obesity

anti-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)

anti-cancer and anti-cardiovascular disease activity

with a better medicinal value. Based on the domestic and foreign literatures

theses and dissertations in the past 10 years

relevant researches for flavonoid and alkaloid constituents of lotus leaves were summarized in order to provide references for further studies and production

which included the chemical composition

extraction and isolation progress

quality assessment methods and the pharmacological activity. Based on the current studies

for the purpose of rational development and utilization of its plant resources

further studies shall be made for the extraction and purification technology

the quality criteria technology and the target localization technology.