Flos Lonicerae: A Review of Chemical Structures and Biological Activities of Phenolic Derivatives

Flos Lonicerae, a widely used Vietnamese medicinal material, is the dried buds or flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb., and several other species genus such as dasystyla Rehd., confusa DC., cambodiana Pierre ex Danguy, belonging to family Caprifoliaceae. This material has been for long time in traditional medicine clearing heat, removing toxins, dispersing wind heat. According variety recent phytochemistry biological studies that we systematically summarized, Lonicerae contains 129 phenolic derivatives including 48 flavonoids, 13 lignans neolignans, 55 acid derivatives, compounds. These compounds have remarkable effects antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-endotoxin, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, anti-allergic activities, etc. In particular, chlorogenic acid, prominent component with significant utilized marker compound evaluate quality Chinese Pharmacopoeia.