A Systematic Review of Cardio-Metabolic Properties of <i>Lonicera caerulea</i> L.
Larisa Bora,
Adelina Lombrea,
Stefan Laurentiu Batrina,
Valentina Oana Buda,
Oana-Maria Esanu,
Oana Pasca,
Cristina Adriana Dehelean,
Stefania Dinu,
Zorita Diaconeasa,
Corina Danciu
Affiliations
Larisa Bora
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Adelina Lombrea
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Stefan Laurentiu Batrina
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Valentina Oana Buda
Research and Processing Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Oana-Maria Esanu
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Oana Pasca
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristina Adriana Dehelean
Research and Processing Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Stefania Dinu
Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 9 No., Revolutiei Bv., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Zorita Diaconeasa
Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Manastur, 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Corina Danciu
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
In the light of growing concerns faced by Western societies due to aging, natality decline, and epidemic of cardio-metabolic diseases, both preventable and treatable, new and effective strategical interventions are urgently needed in order to decrease their socio-economical encumbrance. The recent focus of research has been redirected towards investigating the potential of haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) as a novel functional food or superfruit. Therefore, our present review aims to highlight the latest scientific proofs regarding the potential of Lonicera caerulea L. (LC), a perennial fruit-bearing plant rich in polyphenols, in reversing cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In this regard, a systematic search on two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) from 1 January 2016 to 1 December 2023 was performed, the keyword combination being Lonicera caerulea L. AND the searched pharmacological action, with the inclusion criteria consisting of in extenso original articles, written in English. The health-enhancing characteristics of haskap berries have been examined through in vitro and in vivo studies from the 35 included original papers. Positive effects regarding cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome have been assigned to the antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, as well as to the hepatoprotective and vasoprotective potential. Latest advances regarding LCF mechanisms of action are detailed within this review as well. All these cutting-edge data suggest that this vegetal product would be a good candidate for further clinical studies.
