Therapeutic potential of Lonicerae japonicae flos against emerging respiratory viral infections

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections continue to rank among the leading global causes of death, and the emergence of new infectious respiratory diseases remains a persistent concern. Throughout Chinese history, particularly in the context of combating the plague, Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF), a vital component of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been extensively utilized for its therapeutic potential due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This review concentrated on summarizing the roles and mechanism of LJF on the treatment of respiratory infections, and analyzing the potential therapeutic values of emerging respiratory infectious disease. Methods: The literature with desired information about LJF was gained from electronic databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The literature search was conducted using the keywords “Lonicerae japonicae flos”, “Honeysuckle”, “Jin Yin Hua” and “LJF”, from 1985 to 2023. Results: Through summarizing and analyzing extensive fundamental and clinical studies on LJF, we have discovered that the bioactive molecules derived from LJF and prescriptions containing LJF could play a crucial role in combating viral infections. The antiviral mechanism involves interacting with viral genes and proteins, enhancing innate and acquired immune responses, influencing the processes of apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and etc. Conclusion: In light of preparing for future outbreaks of emerging respiratory infectious disease, pharmacological research and drug development based on LJF hold great significance and offer a promising trajectory.

Keywords

• Lonicerae japonicae flos
• Emerging respiratory infectious disease
• Bioactive ingredient
• Viral replication
• Host immunity