Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle)

Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-KP) infections present a global health crisis, with escalating resistance to last-line antibiotics. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) demonstrate multi-component synergy against resistant pathogens. This study deciphered the antibacterial mechanisms of bioactive TCM components targeting MDR-KP through integrative pharmacology and experimental validation. Four core TCMs (Scutellaria baicalensis, Forsythia suspensa, Lonicera japonica, Aloe vera) were screened via Chinese Pharmacopoeia and TCMSP database. Network pharmacology identified core components and enriched pathways. Clinically isolated MDR-KP strains (resistant to meropenem, polymyxin E, and tigecycline) were characterized. Synergistic effects were evaluated using checkerboard assays, biofilm quantification, and membrane permeability assays. Molecular docking and RT-qPCR analyzed target interactions, while ELISA and CCK-8 assessed anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity. Consequently, luteolin, wogonin, and kaempferol were identified as key components targeting PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. Their triple combination (2/4/8 μg/mL) exhibited potent synergy (FIC = 0.38), reducing biofilm biomass by 68% (p < 0.001) and extracellular polysaccharide thickness from 15.1 μm to 3.1 μm (p < 0.001). Flow cytometry confirmed a 144.8% increase in membrane permeability. Molecular docking revealed high-affinity binding to PI3K (- 6.78 kcal/mol), AKT1 (- 6.60 kcal/mol), and MAPK1 (- 7.24 kcal/mol), with RT-qPCR showing significant downregulation of these genes (p < 0.001). The combination suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 release by 72% and 65%, respectively, while maintaining 95.5% cell viability at therapeutic concentrations. In Conclusion, this study unveils a triple-action mechanism of luteolin-wogonin-kaempferol against MDR-KP, simultaneously disrupting resistance pathways, biofilms, and hyperinflammation. The regimen offers a safe, multi-target therapeutic strategy for combating drug-resistant infections. © 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

INTRODUCTION: Cynaroside is a biological component isolated from Lonicera japonica Thunb, and it possesses numerous pharmacological activities. However, whether cynaroside affects the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cynaroside on 8 major CYP isoforms in human liver microsomes (HLMs). METHODS: In this study, the inhibitory effects of cynaroside on the 8 human liver CYP isoforms (i.e., 1A2, 3A4, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, and 2C8) were investigated in vitro using HLMs. RESULTS: The results showed that cynaroside inhibited the activity of CYP1A2, 3A4, and 2C9, with IC50 values of 21.74, 15.88, and 16.58 μmol/L, respectively, but that other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that cynaroside was not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP1A2 and 2C9, with Ki values of 7.33, 11.60, and 8.09 μmol/L, respectively. In addition, cynaroside is a time-dependent inhibitor for CYP3A4 with Kinact/KI value of 0.049/11.62 μmol/L-1min-1. CONCLUSION: The in vitro studies of cynaroside with CYP isoforms indicate that cynaroside has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other coadministered drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, 3A4, and 2C9. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction. © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flower and flower bud of Lonicera japonica, Lonicerae Flos, have been popularly used as medicinal plant for the treatment of clearing heat and thirst, thereby improving diabetic or diabetic associated symptoms (thirst and poor eyesight). AIM OF THE STUDY: Organic cation transporters (OCTs) and multi-drug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATEs) are known to play important roles in metformin transport in the liver and kidneys. Thus, there might be interactions between Lonicerae Flos and metformin via OCTs and MATEs. Also treatment period has been issued in transporter-mediated drug interactions. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Lonicerae Flos ethanol extract (LJ) on metformin pharmacokinetics and its glucose lowering activity in different treatment periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effect of LJ on metformin uptake was evaluated in vitro HEK-293 cells expressing human OCTs or MATEs. Treatment period-dependent impact of LJ on systemic exposure and hepatic distribution of metformin as well as its glucose tolerance activity were assessed in in vivo rats. RESULTS: LJ substantially inhibited MATE1-mediated metformin uptake in vitro. In evaluating treatment period effects of LJ and metformin, 1-, 7-, and 28-day co-treatments of LJ with metformin did not change systemic exposure of metformin compared to those in metformin alone. Whereas, 28-day co-treatment of LJ with metformin increased metformin concentration in liver as a pharmacological target site of metformin. It could be due to the reduced MATE1-mediated metformin efflux from hepatocytes to bile by MATE1 inhibition in liver. Glucose tolerance activity was also enhanced by 28-day co-treatment of LJ and metformin compared to metformin alone. CONCLUSIONS: In 28-day co-treatment of LJ and metformin, LJ increased metformin concentration in liver and improved glucose tolerance activity without systemic exposure change of metformin, suggesting the importance to consider treatment period effect and both systemic exposure and tissue distribution in drug interactions.

Most people use cosmetics to protect their skin. Preservatives are often used to prevent their contamination upon use. There has been a great demand for natural preservatives due to recent reports on the side effects of parabens. Therefore, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities of Lonicera japonica and Magnolia obovata extracts and determined their potential as natural preservatives. We found that the 50% ethanol extract from L. japonica had antibacterial activity only against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, while the ethyl acetate fraction showed antimicrobial activity against all six microbial strains tested. On the other hand, the 70% ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction from M. obovata showed antimicrobial activity against all six strains. A synergistic effect against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and C. albicans was confirmed when two ethyl acetate fractions having antimicrobial activity against all six strains were used in combination. Synergistic activity against B. subtilis was also confirmed through kill-time analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to identify the components of each extract. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration and the results of a disc diffusion assay, we confirmed that caffeic acid and luteolin influenced the antimicrobial activity of L. japonica and that the antimicrobial activity of M. obovata was influenced by the interaction of magnolol and honokiol with other components. Therefore, this study suggests that the combination of L. japonica and M. obovata extracts may be used as a plant-derived natural preservative.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flos Lonicerae Japonicae is a well-known herb of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for heat-clearing, detoxification, anti-inflammation, throat pain and gastro-intestinal (GI) disorder. In order to verify the effect of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae on GI disorder, we investigated the prokinetic effect of GC-7101 on GI motility function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC-7101 is the standardized extract of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae. The contractile action of GC-7101 on feline esophageal smooth muscle cell (ESMC) was evaluated by measuring dispersed cell length. The isometric tension study was performed to investigate the effect of GC-7101 on feline lower esophageal sphincther (LES). The prokinetic effect of GC-7101 was investigated by gastric emptying (GE) and gastro-intestinal transit (GIT) in rats. RESULTS: GC-7101 produced concentration-dependent contractions in ESMCs. Pretreatment with 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor blocker (ondansetron and GR113808) inhibited the contractile responses of the GC-7101-induced ESMCs. In isometric tension study, GC-7101 recovered the HCl-induced decreased tone of LES muscle strips. The treatment of GC-7101 enhanced the carbachol-induced contractile responses and the electric field stimulation (EFS)-induced on-contraction. The oral administration of GC-7101 not only significantly accelerated GE and GIT in normal rats but also recovered the delayed GE and GIT, and its effect was more potent than that of conventional prokinetics (e.g., domperidone, a dopamine-receptor antagonist, and mosapride, a 5-HT4-receptor agonist). CONCLUSION: GC-7101 revealed a prokinetic effect through enhancing the contractile responses of ESMCs, tone increases, enhancing the carbarchol- or EFS-induced contractile responses of LES muscle strips, and the acceleration of GE and GIT. We have identified the significant potential of GC-7101 for the development of new prokinetic drugs through this study.

HS-23, an extract of the dried flower buds of Lonicera japonica, is a new botanical drug currently being evaluated in a phase I clinical study in Korea for the treatment of sepsis. The in vitro induction and inhibition potentials of HS-23 on the drug-metabolizing enzymes using human hepatocytes and liver microsomes were assessed to evaluate herb-drug interaction according to botanical drug guideline and drug interaction guidance of FDA. HS-23 slightly inhibited CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 enzyme activities in human liver microsomes with IC50 values of 80.6, 160.7, 169.5, 85.4, and 76.6 μg/mL, respectively. HS-23 showed negligible inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2D6, UGT1A1, UGT1A4, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 activities in human liver microsomes. Based on these results, HS-23 may not inhibit the metabolism of CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4-catalyzed drugs in humans. HS-23 did not affect the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 after 48 h treatment at three concentrations (0.5, 5, and 50 μg/mL) in three independent human hepatocytes, indicating that HS-23 has no effect on herb-drug interactions that up- or down-regulate CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4. These results indicate that the administration of HS-23 in human may not cause clinically relevant inhibition and induction of these cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes and HS-23 may be promising therapeutic agent for treatment of sepsis.

Shuang-Huang-Lian (SHL) is a traditional Chinese formula containing Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF), Scutellariae radix (SR) and Forsythiae fructus (FF), and is commonly used to treat acute upper respiratory tract infection, acute bronchitis and light pneumonia. The aim of this study is to compare the pharmacokinetics of SHL and the different combinations of its constitutional herbs, and to investigate the influence of compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of the main active ingredient baicalein. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups and orally administered with SHL, SR, SR+FF and SR+LJF, respectively. At different time points (0, 0.167, 0.333, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 h) after administration, the concentrations of baicalein in rat serum were determined by using HPLC, and main pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. It was found that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the parameters, t(1/2) (beta) and C(max) among different combinations of herbs. The results indicate that SHL has delayed the elimination and reduced the bioavailability of baicalein in rat serum.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with loss of anticoagulation control and bleeding after consumption of the combination herbal product quilinggao. CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old man who was stable on warfarin therapy regularly consumed a jelly-like herbal product called quilinggao ("essence of tortoise shell"). Five days after the daily consumption of a second brand of quilinggao, he developed easy gum bleeding, epistaxis, and skin bruising with an international normalized ratio (INR) >6.0. Warfarin therapy was temporarily withdrawn until the INR decreased to 1.9. On the day of hospital discharge, he took a third brand of quilinggao against medical advice. Three days later, his INR was 5.2. Warfarin therapy was again temporarily withheld and the patient counseled about an apparent herb-warfarin interaction. He could not remember the name of the third brand of quilinggao. DISCUSSION: Quilinggao is a very popular Chinese herbal product. There are many different brands, and the composition of herbal products varies between manufacturers. Chuanbeimu (Fritillaria cirrhosa) in the first brand and beimu (Fritillaria spp.), chishao (Paeoniae rubra, Chinese peony), jinyinhua (Lonicera japonica), and jishi (Poncirus trifoliata) in the second brand of quilinggao have antiplatelet and/or antithrombotic effects. Loss of anticoagulation control occurred after consumption of the second and third brands of quilinggao, possibly due to the presence of a greater number of interacting herbs. An objective causality assessment revealed that the observed reaction was highly probable to be related to the ingestion of the second and third brands of quilinggao. CONCLUSIONS: Quilinggao contains herbal ingredients that can interact with warfarin. Patients on warfarin therapy should be discouraged from taking herbal medicines, especially preparations that are already known to have antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI), characterized by dysregulated host-pathogen interactions and hyperinflammatory responses, poses a critical clinical burden in viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19. Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJT), a cornerstone herb in traditional medicine for respiratory ailments exhibits multi-component synergy with documented anti-ALI properties. However, its phytochemical determinants and polypharmacological mechanisms remain underexplored. PURPOSE: This review aims to systematically decode the bioactive phytoconstituents of LJT driving ALI protection and establish their multi-target mechanisms through integrative pharmacology. METHODS: The information was compiled from major scientific databases such as the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science. Relevant literature was extracted from the above databases using the keywords "acute lung injury," "Lonicera japonica," "anti-inflammatory," and "chlorogenic acid." RESULTS: LJT's bioactive matrix orchestrates ALI mitigation via: 1) TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB axis suppression, reducing TNF-α, IL-6, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation; 2) Nrf2/HO-1-mediated oxidative stress resolution; 3) direct antiviral effects against influenza. CONCLUSION: This mechanistic elucidation positions LJT as a promising multi-target phytotherapeutic against the cytokine storm phase of ALI.

BACKGROUND: Yinzhihuang granule, consisting of extracts of Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Lonicera japonica Thunb., and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a well-known traditional Chinese patent medicine for patients with liver injury in China. However, the effects and safety of its use for pathologic jaundice in newborns require further systematic evaluation. PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yinzhihuang granules for the treatment of neonatal pathologic jaundice and to provide clinical evidence. METHODS: Chinese databases (China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, and VIP Database) and English databases (PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane Library) were thoroughly investigated through screening randomized controlled trials on Yinzhihuang granules for neonatal pathologic jaundice from the establishment of all databases to November 18, 2021. A meta-analysis was performed for selected data using STATA software. TSA software was used for trial sequential analyses of the total effective rate and adverse reactions. RESULTS: A total of 19 trials and 2,221 newborns with pathologic jaundice were included in this study. Outcome measures of clinical efficacy in the experimental group were higher than in controls, including total bilirubin (WMD = -30.34, 95% CI = -35.44 to -25.23, p < 0.001), direct bilirubin (WMD = -15.03, 95% CI = -23.54 to -6.52, p < 0.001), indirect bilirubin (WMD = -11.22, 95% CI = -17.50 to -4.95, p < 0.001), recovery time (WMD = -2.96, 95% CI = -3.92 to -2.00, p < 0.001), hospitalization time (WMD = -3.83, 95% CI = -4.89 to -2.76, p < 0.001), and liver function indices. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups. Likewise, the incidence of adverse reactions, including diarrhea, erythra, and fever decreased remarkably in the trial group (RR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.59, p < 0.001). Publication bias did not exist. We verified the efficacy and safety of Yinzhihuang granules with phototherapy for pathologic jaundice in newborns according using TSA analysis. CONCLUSION: Yinzhihuang granules with phototherapy for neonatal pathologic jaundice are more effectiv

BACKGROUND: Lonicera Linn. belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae, the largest genus in the plant family, includes about more than 200 species, which are mainly distributed in northern Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. Some species of this genus have been usually used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as functional foods, cosmetics and other applications, such as L. japonica Thunb. Bioactive components and pharmacological activities of the genus Lonicera plants have received an increasing interest from the scientific community. Thus, a comprehensive and systematic review on their traditional usage in China, chemical components, and their pharmacological properties of their whole plants, bioactive extracts, and bioactive isolates including partial structure-activity relationships from the genus is indispensable. METHODS: Information on genus Lonicera of this systematic electronic literature search was gathered via the published articles, patents, clinical trials website (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) and several online bibliographic databases (PubMed, Sci Finder, Research Gate, Science Direct, CNKI, Web of Science and Google Scholar). The following keywords were used for the online search: Lonicera, phytochemical composition, Lonicerae japonica, Lonicera review articles, bioactivities of Lonicera, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, and clinical trials. This review paper consists of a total of 225 papers covering the Lonicera genus from 1800 to 2021, including research articles, reviews, patents, and book chapters. RESULTS: In this review (1800s-2021), about 420 components from the genus of Lonicera Linn. including 87 flavonoids, 222 terpenoids, 51 organic acids, and other compounds, together with their pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory effects, and toxicity were summarized. CONCLUSION: The relationship is discussed among their traditional usage, their pharmacological properties, and their chemical components, which in

Lonicerae japonicae flos is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years with confirmed curative effects. Except for medicine, it is also used in healthy food, cosmetics, and soft beverages for its specific activities. Therefore, the chemical constituents, mainly including organic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, triterpenoids, and volatile oils, have been well studied by many scholars in recent years and a comprehensive and systematic review on chemical constituents of Lonicerae japonicae flos is indispensable. This paper aims at reviewing the chemical components of LJF in recent years through searching for the literatures both at home and abroad. Our results show that 212 components have been isolated from Lonicerae japonicae flos, including 27 flavonoids, 40 organic acids, 83 iridoids, 17 triterpenoids, and 45 other compounds, which could lay a foundation for the further application of Lonicerae japonicae flos.