A review of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a medicinal and edible plant
摘要
Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (FLJ), a widely used medicinal and edible plant in traditional Chinese medicine, is well-recognized for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. It is extensively applied in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral therapies. Accumulating evidence has suggested FLJ holds promise for preventing and treating chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Although it is not conventionally prioritized in anti-obesity or anti-diabetic treatment, FLJ is included in the classical Jinqi formula for diabetes management, and its extracts also showed therapeutic potential. FLJ contains over 500 compounds, with key bioactive constituents—including chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, rutin, chrysin, swertiamarin, and sweroside—demonstrating beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. This review systematically discusses the FLJ extracts and FLJ-derived bioactive components in the context of modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, elucidating its potential mechanisms: (1) maintaining glucose-lipid metabolic homeostasis; (2) promoting brown adipose tissue thermogenesis program; (3) alleviating metabolic tissue fibrosis. These findings establish a framework to guide future investigations into FLJ’s pharmacological activities and provide its potential development as a functional food for obesity and diabetes management.