PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Aug 8 ;155(1):256-66. Epub 2014 May 24. PMID: 24862492

Abstract Title: 

HS-23, Lonicera japonica extract, attenuates septic injury by suppressing toll-like receptor 4 signaling.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lonicera japonica Thunberg is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in East Asia as an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agent. This study was designed to investigate the effects of HS-23, ethanol extract of the dried flower buds of Lonicera japonica, in experimental models of sepsis and elucidate the mechanisms of action of HS-23.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male ICR mice were intravenously administered HS-23 (20 and 40 mg/kg) for 0 (immediately) and 24 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) for survival tests, and HS-23 (40 mg/kg) immediately after CLP for biochemical assays.RESULTS: HS-23 improved sepsis-induced mortality, enhanced bacterial clearance, and attenuated multiple organ failure. The mechanisms of action of HS-23 included attenuation of increased toll-like receptor (TLR)4 protein and mRNA expression. HS-23 suppressed sepsis-induced increases in protein expression of myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88, p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in both liver and lung, as well as TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 protein expression in liver.CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that HS-23 attenuated sepsis through suppression of TLR signaling pathways. Therefore, our findings suggest that HS-23 might be useful as a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of sepsis.

read more

PMID: 

Carbohydr Polym. 2014 Sep 22 ;110:142-7. Epub 2014 Mar 31. PMID: 24906740

Abstract Title: 

A glucan isolated from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. inhibits aggregation and neurotoxicity of Aβ42.

Abstract: 

Inhibition of Aβ aggregation and attenuation of its cytotoxicity are considered to valuable therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, a glucan named as LJW0F2 was purified from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Using monosaccharides composition analysis, methylation analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, this polysaccharide was elucidated to be an α-D-(1→4)-glucan with an α-(1→4) linked branch attached to the C-6 position. Its inhibitory effect on Aβ42 aggregation was measured by fluorescence spectroscopic analysis with thioflavine T (ThT) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We showed that polysaccharide LJW0F2 could inhibit Aβ42 aggregation in a dose-dependent-manner. Besides, LJW0F2 could attenuate the cytotoxicity induced by Aβ42 aggregation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report that the exogenous plant-derived polysaccharide might block Aβ42 aggregation directly and reduce its toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.

read more

PMID: 

Molecules. 2014 Jun 17 ;19(6):8212-9. Epub 2014 Jun 17. PMID: 24941343

Abstract Title: 

Inhibitory activity of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb. against histamine production and L-histidine decarboxylase in human keratinocytes.

Abstract: 

In previous studies we found that anionic surfactants such as sodium laurate (SL) and/or sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) exert actions on epidermal keratinocytes rather than mast cells to give rise of histamine production and skin itching through increasing the expression of the 53-kDa active form of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC). In addition, with treatment of SL in a three-dimensional human keratinocyte culture, increases in both the 53-kDa HDC and histamine production are detected and thus this culture assay is applied to screen anti-itching materials from natural resources. In this study, the inhibitory activity of"Kin-gin-ka"(flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb., FLJ) against histamine production and expression of the active form of HDC were examined in this culture assay. FLJ is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, being used to treat fevers, coughs and some infectious diseases. The result showed both FLJ and chlorogenic acid had inhibitory activities against the expression of 53-kDa HDC and histamine production. However, chlorogenic acid showed a weaker effect on histamine production than that of FLJ, suggesting that other chemical constituents besides chlorogenic acid could contribute to the inhibitory activities. Thus, a further chemical study of FLJ is now under investigation.

read more

PMID: 

Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2014 ;77(10):26-30. PMID: 25518524

Abstract Title: 

[Hepatorotective activity of honeysuckle fruit extract in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats].

Abstract: 

We have studied the effects of the extract from the dry pomace of honeysuckle fruits Lonicera edulis Turcz. and commercial reference preparation Legalon on weight and biochemical liver indexes in rats upon carbon tetrachloride intoxication. The extract of honeysuckle fruits favored a decrease in the total lipid content, reduced specific liver weight, and facilitated restoration of the activity of serum alanine aminotransferase and liver lysosomal enzymes. It the blood of rats, the extract increased superoxide dismutase activity, decreased glutathione level, enhanced antiradical activity, and reduced the level of malonic dialdehyde. The effect of administration of honeysuckle fruits pomace extract on restoration of the liver function was more pronounced than the effect of Legalon.

read more

PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2019 ;10:694. Epub 2019 Jul 3. PMID: 31333448

Abstract Title: 

Assessing the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Pycnogenolon Cognitive Aging FromAnimal and Human Studies.

Abstract: 

Brain aging is a complex and multifactorial process broadly involving changes in the brain's structure, neuronal activity, and biochemical profile. These changes in brain function have also been linked to age-associated variations in cognitive function. Recent research has suggested a role of increased oxidative stress and reduced cognition in older people. Therefore, studies that examine the effects of antioxidants on cognitive performance are important, particularly in the context of an increase in elderly populations in most Western countries. One such antioxidant, Pycnogenol, is a standardized plant-based extract obtained from the bark of the French maritime pine and has a long historical use to treat inflammation and improve health. More recently, Pycnogenol has been subjected to more than 100 research trials.and animal studies using the standardized extract have indicated a multimodal action of Pycnogenol, and several human studies have shown improvements in cognitive function after chronic administration. In this paper, we review these studies in the context of understanding both biological and cognitive changes due to Pycnogenol and evaluate possibilities of Pycnogenol to improve neurocognitive function.

read more

PMID: 

J Med Food. 2015 Jul ;18(7):762-75. Epub 2015 Apr 21. PMID: 25897683

Abstract Title: 

Lonicera japonica THUNB. Extract Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Inflammatory Responses by Suppressing NF-κB Signaling in BV-2 Microglial Cells.

Abstract: 

In the current study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Lonicera japonica THUNB. (LJ) and its underlying molecular mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Our results indicated that LJ significantly inhibits LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In addition, LJ inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both the protein and mRNA levels. In LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells, LJ inhibited proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzymatic activities, and/or mRNA expression, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. LJ significantly suppressed activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus and suppressed the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Furthermore, LJ significantly inhibited phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt, and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1/3. Collectively, our findings indicated that the antineuroinflammatory properties of LJ in LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells is due to downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines downstream of inhibition of NF-κB activation.

read more

PMID: 

Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2015 Jan ;31(1):89-92. PMID: 26016250

Abstract Title: 

[Effects of Lonicera Japonica flavone on immunomodulation in mice].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To study immunomodulating activity of Lonicera Japonica flavone by investigating immune enzymatic activity of serum and antoxidized activity of lymphoid organs in mice.METHODS: Fifty KM mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group(n = 10), respectively. And low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group were given Lonicera Japonica flavone with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg every day, respectively, while control group and model group were administered with NS. After continuously giving drug 7 weeks, other groups were injected with Dexamethasome (Dex: 25 mg /kg) for 3 days by subcutaneous injection, but the control group were treated with NS. And after giving Lonicera Japonica flavone 1 week simultaneously, organ indexes , the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and lysozyme (LSZ) in serum , and the content of monoamine oxidase (MAO), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lymphoid organs in mice were tested, respectively.RESULTS: Lonicera Japonica flavone could significantly improve the organ indexes, and significantly improve the activity of ACP, AKP and LSZ in serum, and significantly improve the contents of T-AOC and SOD, but reduce that of MAO and MDA in lymphoid organs in immunosuppressed mice.CONCLUSION: Ionicera Japonica flavone can significantly improve the activity of immune enzyme in serum and the antioxidized activity of lymphoid organs in mice. It suggests that Ionicera Japonica flavone has a good immunomodulatory effects.

read more

PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Aug 2 ;171:231-9. Epub 2015 Jun 9. PMID: 26068428

Abstract Title: 

HS-23, a Lonicera japonica extract, reverses sepsis-induced immunosuppression by inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lonicera japonica Thunberg, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antiendotoxin activities. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of HS-23, the ethanol extract of the dried flower buds of L. japonica, on sepsis-induced immunosuppression.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male ICR mice were intravenously administered HS-23 (10, 20, and 40mg/kg) immediately (0h) and 22h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The spleen was isolated for biochemical assays 24h after CLP.RESULTS: HS-23 improved sepsis-induced mortality. CLP induced a marked decrease in the number of splenocytes, B cells, and natural killer cells, which was attenuated by HS-23. HS-23 also attenuated CLP-induced apoptosis in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and inhibited both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathway in the spleen. HS-23 attenuated the CLP-induced decrease in interleukin (IL)-17 production. CLP significantly decreased splenic production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-2, and these effects were attenuated by HS-23.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that HS-23 reverses immunosuppression during the late phase of sepsis by inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis and enhancing Th1 cytokine production. HS-23 warrants further evaluation as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of sepsis.

read more

PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2015 Oct ;29(10):1616-21. Epub 2015 Jul 14. PMID: 26174209

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Lonicera japonica Thunb. on Type 2 Diabetes via PPAR-γ Activation in Rats.

Abstract: 

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine and has been used to treat diabetic symptoms. Notwithstanding its use, the scientific basis on anti-diabetic properties of L. japonica is not yet established. This study is designed to investigate anti-diabetic effects of L. japonica in type 2 diabetic rats. L. japonica was orally administered at the dose of 100 mg/kg in high-fat diet-fed and low-dose streptozotocin-induced rats. After the treatment of 4 weeks, L. japonica reduced high blood glucose level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance in diabetic rats. In addition, body weight and food intake were restored by the L. japonica treatment. In the histopathologic examination, the amelioration of damaged β-islet in pancreas was observed in L. japonica-treated diabetic rats. The administration of L. japonica elevated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and insulin receptor subunit-1 protein expressions. The resultsdemonstrated that L. japonica had anti-diabetic effects in type 2 diabetic rats via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma regulatory action of L. japonica as a potential mechanism.

read more

read more