Insights into nuciferine: A natural multifunctional bioactive alkaloid (Review)

Nuciferine (NF), an aporphine alkaloid extracted from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., has attracted considerable attention due to its wide range of pharmacological properties. The present review elucidates the multifaceted biological activities of NF, which encompass immunomodulatory and antioxidative effects, neuroprotective, musculoskeletal‑protective, cardioprotective, metabolism‑regulating, antipsychotic and anticancer effects. Notably, the underlying mechanisms involve the modulation of key signaling pathways, such as AMP‑activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor α, TGF‑β1, Toll‑like receptor 4/NF‑κB and PI3K/Akt, which contribute to its metabolic regulation and anticancer properties. Furthermore, the present review discusses the findings of molecular docking simulations using an in silico approach, which offer valuable insights into the interactions of NF with various biological targets. However, despite its therapeutic potential, several challenges remain in translating the use of NF into clinical applications. These include concerns regarding its toxicity or undesirable effects, as well as issues associated with its bioavailability and drug delivery profile. Future research should focus on addressing these challenges to fully realize the therapeutic potential of NF across a range of diseases.