Search Results (25)

Gastric inflammation-related disorders are commonly observed digestive system illnesses characterized by the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). This results in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E₂ (PEG₂) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9). These factors contribute to the pathogenesis of gastric inflammation disorders. We examined the preventive effects of Lonicera japonica Thunb. ethanol extract (Lj-EtOH) on gastric inflammation induced by TNF-α in normal human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1). The GES-1 cell line was used to establish a model that simulated the overexpression of COX-2/PGE₂ and MMP-9 proteins induced by TNF-α to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of Lj extracts. The results indicated that Lj-EtOH exhibits significant inhibitory effects on COX-2/PEG₂ and MMP-9 activity, attenuates cell migration, and provides protection against TNF-α-induced gastric inflammation. The protective effects of Lj-EtOH are associated with the modulation of COX-2/PEG₂ and MMP-9 through the activation of TNFR–ERK 1/2 signaling pathways as well as the involvement of c-Fos and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Based on our findings, Lj-EtOH exhibits a preventive effect on human gastric epithelial cells. Consequently, it may represent a novel treatment for the management of gastric inflammation. Full article

Lonicerae japonicae Flos (LJF) is a natural plant containing abundant antioxidant ingredients. In order to extract more antioxidants from LJF, in this study, a novel strategy was proposed for optimizing the extraction factor level by response surface methodology with a tailored deep eutectic solvent (DES) as the extraction solvent and antioxidant ability as the evaluation index. After optimizing the composition of DES and the extraction condition, the extracts obtained by our proposed method yielded better antioxidant ability (229.1–249.1 μmol TE/g DW) and higher antioxidant contents (34.2–36.5 mg GAE/g DW for total phenolics and 119.6–123.0 mg RE/g DW for total flavonoids) from LJF in 5 min without organic solvent consumption that were significantly superior to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia extraction method. The K-T solvation parameter and a scanning electron microscope were adopted to explore the extraction mechanism, and the results showed that the polarity and damage effect on plant cells of DES were crucial for the extraction of antioxidants. In addition, after combining the HPLC fingerprint and partial least squares model, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and 3,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid were screened as the antioxidant Q-markers of LJF. This work demonstrates that an optimization strategy based on antioxidant ability and tailored DES has the potential to extract more antioxidants from natural plants. Full article

This examined the effects of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) with different chlorogenic acid (CGA) contents on lactation performance, antioxidant status and immune function and rumen fermentation in heat-stressed high-yielding dairy cows. In total, 45 healthy Chinese Holstein high-yielding dairy cows, all with similar milk yield, parity, and days in milk were randomly allocated to 3 groups: (1) the control group (CON) without LJE; (2) the LJE-10% CGA group, receiving 35 g/(d·head) of LJE-10% CGA, and (3) the LJE-20% CGA group, receiving 17.5 g/(d·head) of LJE-20% CGA. The results showed that the addition of LJE significantly reduced RT, and enhanced DMI, milk yield, milk composition, and improved rumen fermentation in high-yielding dairy cows experiencing heat stress. Through the analysis of the serum biochemical, antioxidant, and immune indicators, we observed a reduction in CREA levels and increased antioxidant and immune function. In this study, while maintaining consistent CGA content, the effects of addition from both types of LJE are similar. In conclusion, the addition of LJE at a level of 4.1 g CGA/(d·head) effectively relieved heat stress and improved the lactation performance of dairy cows, with CGA serving as the effective ingredient responsible for its anti-heat stress properties. Full article

Lonicerae japonicae Flos (LJF) possesses a good anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) effect. However, the material basis of LJF in treating RSV is still unclear. In this study, a sensitive and accurate quantitative method based on UHPLC-QQQ MS was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of the 15 ingredients from LJF in RSV-infected mice plasma. Multiple reaction monitoring was performed for quantification of the standards and of the internal standard in plasma. All the calibration curves show good linear regression within the linear range (r² > 0.9918). The method validation results, including specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability of 15 ingredients, are all within the current acceptance criteria. This established method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of 15 compounds from LJF. Furthermore, the repair rate of lung index and the improvement rate of IFN-γ and IL-6 improved after administration of the LJF, indicating that LJF possessed a positive effect on the treatment of RSV infection. Finally, by combining Spearman and Grey relation analysis, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C, secoxyloganin, chlorogenic acid, and loganic acid are speculated to be the main effective ingredients of LJF in treating RSV. This study lays the foundation for attempts to reveal the mechanisms of the anti-RSV effect of LJF. Full article

Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the outer layer of the skin that causes itching, blisters, redness, swelling, and often exudation, scabs, and peeling. Among them, purulent inflammation is a symptom that often occurs on the skin and appears in the form of boils and acne. Various studies are being conducted to treat these inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, Lonicera japonica and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Polyphenolic Extract (LCPE), which uses herbal preparations such as Lonicera japonica, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, has been used to suppress inflammation since ancient times, and its anti-inflammatory effect can be observed in skin keratinocytes after inducing inflammation. In this study, the major polyphenolic compounds in LCPE were quantitatively determined by analyzing the data through peak values using high-performance chromatography (HPLC-MS/MS) coupled with mass spectrometry. Additionally, bioactive compounds targeting 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were analyzed by ultrafiltration integrated with LC. Several compounds with the most significant effects were selected (chlorogenic acid, narirutin, and isorhamnetin). Skin keratinocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with LCPE to show its anti-inflammatory effects. After LCPE treatment, inflammation-mediating cytokines such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were decreased. In addition, nuclear factor kappa (NF-кB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were inhibited in important pathways related to inflammation. Lastly, molecular modeling was performed to determine binding scores with inflammation-related proteins using molecular docking for the selected compounds. According to these results, LCPE is effective in treating keratinocytes induced by LPS and reducing inflammation and has potential antioxidant effects, and the polyphenol components have been identified. Full article

Lonicera japonica Thunb. is a widely distributed plant with ornamental, economic, edible, and medicinal values. L. japonica is a phytoantibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and a potent therapeutic effect on various infectious diseases. The anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-depression, antioxidative, immunoregulatory, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-gout, and anti-alcohol-addiction effects of L. japonica can also be explained by bioactive polysaccharides isolated from this plant. Several researchers have determined the molecular weight, chemical structure, and monosaccharide composition and ratio of L. japonica polysaccharides by water extraction and alcohol precipitation, enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) and chromatography. This article searched in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI databases within the last 12 years, using “Lonicera. japonica polysaccharides”, “Lonicera. japonica Thunb. polysaccharides”, and “Honeysuckle polysaccharides” as the key word, systematically reviewed the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, structure-activity relationship, and health benefits of L. japonica polysaccharides to provide insights for future studies. Further, we elaborated on the potential applications of L. japonica polysaccharides in the food, medicine, and daily chemical industry, such as using L. japonica as raw material to make lozenges, soy sauce and toothpaste, etc. This review will be a useful reference for the further optimization of functional products developed from L. japonica polysaccharides. Full article

This study aimed to assess the protective effect of an extract of Lonicera japonica against particulate-matter (PM)_2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The compounds with physiological activity were identified as shanzhiside, secologanoside, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, secologanic acid, secoxyloganin, quercetin pentoside, and dicaffeoyl quinic acids (DCQA), including 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, 4,5-DCQA, and 1,4-DCQA using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS^E). The extract of Lonicera japonica reduced cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammation in A549 cells. The extract of Lonicera japonica decreased serum T cells, including CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and total T helper 2 (Th2) cells, and immunoglobulins, including immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE), in PM_2.5-induced BALB/c mice. The extract of Lonicera japonica protected the pulmonary antioxidant system by regulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, it ameliorated mitochondrial function by regulating the production of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP contents. Moreover, the extract of Lonicera japonica exhibited a protective activity of apoptosis, fibrosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in lung tissues. This study suggests that the extract of Lonicera japonica might be a potential material to improve PM_2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Full article

Traditional Chinese medicine considers Lonicerae japonicae flos to have antibacterial detoxification, liver protection, and gallbladder protection. At present, studies have proven that Lonicerae japonicae flos has a good therapeutic effect on liver injury. Therefore, to confirm the clinical applicability of Lonicerae japonicae flos in the treatment of liver injury, we were the first to compare the pharmacokinetics of an oral ethanol extract of Lonicerae japonicae flos in normal rats and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury model rats. A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, protocatechuic acid, Sweroside, and Secoxyloganin in rat plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The results show that the method is reliable and reproducible and can be used for quantitative determination of biological samples. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed that the area under the concentration–time curve of eight compounds in the model group was significantly increased. The results showed that the total absorption of the active components of Lonicerae japonicae flos in the blood increased, the clearance rate slowed down, and the bioavailability of Lonicerae japonicae flos increased in liver injury diseases. Full article

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJ) is an Asian traditional herb that is used as a dietary supplement, tea, and beverage to clear heat and quench thirst. However, no studies investigated its effect on activated human neutrophils, which played a crucial role in the bad prognosis of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients by aggravating lung inflammation and respiratory failure. Herein, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of LJ ethanol extract (LJEE) on human neutrophils activated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF). Our experimental results indicated that LJEE suppressed fMLF-activated superoxide anion (O₂^•−) generation, the expression of CD11b, and cell adhesion and migration, as well as the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in human neutrophils. Further in-depth mechanical investigation revealed that pretreatment with LJEE accelerated the Ca²⁺ clearance, but did not affect the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt) in activated human neutrophils. In addition, LJEE displayed a dose-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger activity, which assisted its anti-inflammatory activity. From the bioassay-coupled chromatographic profile, chlorogenic acids were found to dominate the anti-inflammatory effects of LJEE. Moreover, LJ water extract (LJWE) demonstrated an interrupting effect on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2-Spike)/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding. In conclusion, the obtained results not only supported the traditional use of LJ for heat-clearance, but also suggested its potential application in daily health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

In order to assess the sunflower oil (SFO) oxidative stability that was added by the essential oils extracted from Lonicera japonica flower buds (LJEO) during deep-frying at 180 °C for 30 h, we clarified the compound/compounds of LJEO that improved the oxidative stability of SFO. The results displayed that the addition of LJEO (0.06 g/kg) could significantly restrict the elevation or the reduction in the levels of total polar compounds (TPC), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), conjugated dienes and conjugated trienes, and the values for polymer, viscosity and the color of SFO during the whole period. Meanwhile, the reduction in the sensory attributes, including flavor, taste, crispness and overall acceptability of the fried product, youtiao, was obviously restricted as well. After the bioassay-guided fractionation of LJEO and repeated deep-frying at 180 °C for 30 h, one of its chemical constituents, eugenol, was demonstrated to be the very compound that did significantly inhibit the oxidative rancidity of the SFO. Therefore, eugenol may be employed as potential effective natural antioxidants to inhibit the oxidative rancidity of SFO during its deep-frying procedures. Full article

This study aims to investigate the influence of adding Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) and Radix Puerariae crude extracts and their mixture to the diet of finishing pigs on their fecal microbes and nutrient apparent digestibility. A total of 72 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred barrows without significant differences in body weight (93 ± 2 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (18 in each group). Three replicate pens per group (six pigs per pen) were used, and two pigs were evaluated for each pen. The groups were fed the following diets: control group (CON), basic diet; chlorogenic acid group (CGA group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract; Pueraria flavonoid group (PF group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract; and mix group (Mix group), basic diet + 0.5 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract + 0.5 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract. The following results were obtained: (1) At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Fibrobaeteres, and Kiritimatiellaeota were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from phyla Firmicutes significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Treponema_2, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae, uncultured_bacterium_f_Prevotellaceae, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from genus Lactobacillus significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Chao1 and Ace counts were significantly higher in group CGA than in the CON group and group Mix (p < 0.05). The alpha and beta diversities and the relative abundance of fecal microbes were higher in all test groups than in the CON group. (2) The protein digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA and PF groups than in the CON group, and the TP digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA than in the CON and Mix groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lonicera japonica and Radix Puerariae crude extract supplementation in the diet significantly changed fecal microbiota and improved the protein and TP digestibility of finishing pigs. Full article

Air pollutants of PM2.5 can alter the composition of gut microbiota and lead to inflammation in the lung and gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of a novel herbal extract blend, FC, composed of Lonicera japonica extract, Momordica grosvenori extract, and broccoli seed extract, on PM2.5-induced inflammation in the respiratory and intestinal tract. A549 cells and THP-1 cells, as well as C57BL/6 mice, were stimulated with PM2.5 to establish in vitro and in vivo exposure models. The models were treated with or without FC. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and tight junction proteins were studied. Proteomic analysis was performed to elucidate mechanisms. Mouse feces were collected for gut microbiota analysis. FC was shown to modulate the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA expression in A549 and THP-1 cells and downregulated tight junction proteins mRNA expression in A549 cells due to PM2.5 stimulation. In animal models, the decreased expression of the anti-inflammatory factor il-10, tight junction protein ZO-1, and the elevated expression of COX-2 induced by PM2.5 were improved by FC intervention, which may be associated with zo-1 and cox-2 signaling pathways. In addition, FC was shown to improve the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Full article

Natural hydrogels are growing in interest as a priority for wound healing. Plant polysaccharides have a variety of biological pharmacological activities, and chitosan hydrogels have proven strong antimicrobial effects, but hydrogels prepared with polysaccharides alone have certain deficiencies. Polysaccharides from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LP) and the aerial parts of Mentha canadensis L. (MP) were extracted and oxidized by sodium periodate (NaIO₄) and then cross-linked with oxidized-carboxymethylated chitosan (O-CCS) to develop oxidized plant- polysaccharides-chitosan hydrogels (OPHs). SEM observation showed that OPHs had porous interior structures with interconnecting pores. The OPHs showed good swelling, water-retention ability, blood coagulation, cytocompatibility properties, and low cytotoxicity (classed as grade 1 according to United States Pharmacopoeia), which met the requirements for wound dressings. Then the cutaneous wound-healing effect was evaluated in BALB/C mice model, after 7 days treatment, the wound-closure rate of OPHs groups were all greater than 50%, and after 14 days, all were greater than 90%, while the value of the control group was only 72.6%. Of them, OPH-2 and OPH-3 were more favorable to the wound-healing process, as the promotion was more significant. The plant polysaccharides and CS-based hydrogel should be a candidate for cutaneous wound dressings. Full article

The extensive use of antibiotics has caused the global spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and genes, seriously reducing antibiotic efficacy and threatening animal and human health. As an alternative, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) was used in this study for its lack of drug resistance and low toxicity. Huangqin-honghua-pugongying-jinyinhua extract (HHPJE), a novel TCVM, consists of the extracts of Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Pugongying (Taraxacum) and Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), and was developed to treat bovine mastitis. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity, bacteriostatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities of HHPJE. Our results show that HHPJE did not show any acute oral toxicity and can be considered safe for oral administration. Additionally, HHPJE possessed a dose-dependent antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. HHPJE (60, 30 and 15 g/kg) can reduce the abdominal pain by 44.83 ± 7.69%, 43.15 ± 9.50% and 26.14 ± 4.17%, respectively. The percentages of anti-inflammation inhibition (60, 30 and 15 g/kg) were 35.34 ± 2.17%, 22.29 ± 2.74% and 12.06 ± 3.61%, respectively. The inhibition rates (60, 30 and 15 g/kg) of antipyretic activity were 82.05%, 65.71% and 52.80%, respectively. The evaluation of pharmacodynamics and toxicity indicate that HHPJE possesses significant bacteriostatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential, and also that it is safe for acute oral toxicity, which means it has potential value for treating bovine mastitis in future and alleviating clinical symptoms with no drug resistance or side effects. Full article