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The discontinuous geographic distribution pattern of plants in the north temperate zone has been a focus of biogeographic research, especially concerning the mechanisms behind the formation of such a pattern and the spatial and temporal evolution of this intermittent distribution pattern. Hypotheses of boreotropical origin, land bridge migration, and out‐of‐Tibet have been proposed to explain the formation of the discontinuous distribution pattern. The distribution of Lonicera shows a typical Europe–Asia–North America discontinuous distribution, which makes for a good case study to investigate the above three hypotheses. In this study, we inferred the phylogeny based on plastid genomes and a nuclear data set with broad taxon sampling, covering 83 species representing two subgenera and four sections. Both nuclear and plastid phylogenetic analyses found section Isika polyphyletic, while sections Nintooa, Isoxylosteum, and Coelxylosteum were monophyletic in subgenus Chamaecerasus. Based on the nuclear and chloroplast phylogeny, we suggest transferring Lonicera maximowiczii and Lonicera tangutica into section Nintooa. Reconstruction of ancestral areas suggests that Lonicera originated in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and/or Asia, and subsequently dispersed to other regions. The aridification of the Asian interior may have facilitated the rapid radiation of Lonicera in the region. At the same time, the uplifts of the Tibetan Plateau appear to have triggered the spread and recent rapid diversification of the genus on the QTP and adjacent areas. Overall, our results deepen the understanding of the evolutionary diversification history of Lonicera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lonicera genus with medicinal and edible characteristics is a rich source of bioactive compounds that together account for numerous health benefits. Plants within this genus have been used traditionally in China to treat heat-related illnesses, viral respiratory infections, skin diseases, and inflammation for thousands of years. The main bioactive compounds include chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, and triterpene saponins. Aside from the role of this genus as a valuable medicinal resource, constituent members have also been used in the food and cosmetic industries. Due to the huge demand for plants within the Lonicera genus, and the propensity for overexploitation of the wild resources of Lonicera, there is a need to meet this demand via alternative and efficient strategies such as metabolic engineering and green production. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of relevant scientific literature covering the structure, biosynthesis, metabolic engineering, pharmacology and phylogenetic analysis of the main bioactive constituents of the Lonicera genus. Finally, we proffer suggestions on the prospects of fully exploiting and utilizing plants of the Lonicera genus as useful medicinal plant resources.

Iridoids are natural monoterpenoids, widely distributed in ornamental plants, herbs, and medicinal plants, but particularly in the green parts of plants. Their significance arises from diverse biological activities (anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-cancer, anti-atherogenic, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, etc.) which have been well-documented and point out to the natural-origin, non-toxic compounds for the use in disease prevention and treatment. Nonetheless, iridoids are scarce in edible fruits and are not perceived as important phytocompounds of dietary fruits and food products. However, they do occur in some common edible fruits – olive, noni, berries, and a few less-common, but unique fruits – Japanese cornel, cornelian cherry, kousa dogwood, haskap berry, and guelder rose. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge regarding the identification and content of iridoids in edible fruits, their predominant activities, and above all, the possibilities and effects of iridoids' application in foods, drinks, and pharmaceuticals. The consulted literature shows that iridoids or iridoid-rich fruits can be successfully applied to broaden the variety of foods, as functional additives, and possibly as future pharmaceuticals of natural origin. Therefore, iridoids deserve an important role in a healthy diet and disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicera ligustrina is a folk medicinal herb in China and India with highly potential medicinal value. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of L. ligustrina (GenBank accession number: ON968694). The cp genome was 155,330 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,855 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,647 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,914 bp. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Lonicera using maximum likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The current study indicated that L. ligustrina is sister with the Nintooa clade of subgen. Lonicera.

The article contains a list of introduced specimens of the genus Lonicera L. in the collection fund of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute. The PABSI collection includes 50 specimens of introduced plants of the genus Lonicera, belonging to 16 species, 8 intraspecific taxa and 2 hybrids. The age of collection honeysuckles is from 8 to 82 years. Most of the samples of honeysuckle surveyed are viable and are distinguished by high decorative qualities, winter-hardy and retain their vital form. The most viable, promising for introduction and have high decorative qualities are L. involucratа and L. caerulea. The study is one of the stages of a comprehensive description of plants states when introduced into the conditions of the Far North.

Lonicera ligustrina is a folk medicinal herb in China and India with highly potential medicinal value. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of L. ligustrina (GenBank accession number: ON968694). The cp genome was 155,330 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,855 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,647 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,914 bp. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Lonicera using maximum likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The current study indicated that L. ligustrina is sister with the Nintooa clade of subgen. Lonicera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator-mediated selection is supposed to influence floral integration. However, the potential pathway through which pollinators drive floral integration needs further investigations. We propose that pollinator proboscis length may play a key role in the evolution of floral integration. We first assessed the divergence of floral traits in 11 Lonicera species. Further, we detected the influence of pollinator proboscis length and eight floral traits on floral integration. We then used phylogenetic structural equation models (PSEMs) to illustrate the pathway through which pollinators drive the divergence of floral integration. Results of PCA indicated that species significantly differed in floral traits. Floral integration increased along with corolla tube length, stigma height, lip length, and the main pollinators' proboscis length. PSEMs revealed a potential pathway by which pollinator proboscis length directly selected on corolla tube length and stigma height, while lip length co-varied with stigma height. Compared to species with short corolla tubes, long-tube flowers may experience more intense pollinator-mediated selection due to more specialized pollination systems and thus reduce variation in the floral traits. Along elongation of corolla tube and stigma height, the covariation of other relevant traits might help to maintain pollination success. The direct and indirect pollinator-mediation selection collectively enhances floral integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicera caerulea fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. The fruits of the L. caerulea var. kamtschatica cultivars 'Duet' and 'Aurora' and the L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx cultivars 'Lori', 'Colin' and 'Willa' were used in this study. L. emphyllocalyx fruit, especially the cultivar 'Willa', was characterised as having a higher acidity by an average of 29.96% compared to L. kamtschatica. The average ascorbic acid content of the L. kamtschatica fruit was 53.5 mg·100 g−1 f.w., while L. emphyllocalyx fruit had an average content that was 14.14% lower. The antioxidant activity (determined by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) varied according to the cultivar and the species of fruit analysed. The total polyphenol content differed significantly depending on the cultivar analysed; fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar 'Willa' were characterised by the lowest content of total polyphenols—416.94 mg GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—while the highest content of total polyphenols—747.85 GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—was found in the fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar 'Lori'. Lonicera caerulea fruits contained 26 different phenolic compounds in their compositions, of which the highest content was characterised by cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (average: 347.37 mg·100 g−1). On the basis of this study, it appears that both L. kamtschatica fruits and L. emphyllocalyx fruits, especially of the cultivars 'Lori' and 'Willa', can be used in food processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff), a polyphagous invasive pest native to Asia, was first detected on the European continent in Italy in 2011. It has since been recorded in five additional European countries, France, Spain, Malta, Monaco, and Greece. The present study reports for the first time the presence of the species in Turkey. As a result of our literature review, there is no record of the genera Lonicera and Crataegus as host plants of X. compactus. We identified new host plant species to X. compactus: Lonicera pileata var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Bernd Schulz and Crataegus monogyna Hayek. In addition, we determined the black twig borer on Fagus sylvatica f. pendula (Lodd.) Dippel. Laurus nobilis was the host plant infested by X. compactus at all localities but one locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Lonicera has members that have opposite, narrowly elliptic to obovate leaves and yellow-white, red, or purple-red corollas together with capitate stigmas and undulated calyxes. According to Wendelbo (1965) in Flora Iranica, the 19 members of Lonicera are classified into two subgenera, i.e., Lonicera and Chamaecerasus, and three sections, i.e., Isika, Isoxylosteum, and Coeloxylosteum. The four studied species belong to subgenus Chamae­cerasus and sections Isika and Coeloxylosteum. The taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus is highly complicated and controversial. The present study was done by the use of phenetic analyses of morphology together with Bayesian analyses of molecular data (ITS sequences) to illustrate the species relationships, taxonomic classification, and monophyly versus paraphyly of the species in genus Lonicera. We used seven Lonicera species for molecular studies, for which nrDNA-ITS sequences were newly obtained. Successive reweighting with rescaled consistency index was used to conduct the molecular examination, which showed close similarities among the results of maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian methods based on the ITS dataset were observed. This study showed that in general, it is possible to differentiate the species via morphological features. Phylogenetic relationships within Lonicera were revealed, and ITS-based phylogenetic trees and morphological characters were in agreement.

IIntroduction. The demand for honeysuckle berries and planting material is growing. Clonal micropropagation is the most effective method for industrial plantations. The research objective was to study the effect of cytokinins and auxins on Russian and Canadian honeysuckle microshoots and roots. Study objects and methods. The study featured regenerated honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis Turcz.) of three Russian cultivars (Bakcharsky Velikan, Doch Velikana, Yugana) and two Canadian cultivars (Boreal Beauty, Boreal Beast). The experiment focused on the effect of sterilizing agents and sterilization time on the viability of honeysuckle explants at the stage of culture introduction in vitro. The effect of the growth regulator Cytodef in the QL nutrient medium on organogenesis was studied at the stage of micropropagation proper, the effect of auxin IBA on plant root formation – at the stage of rooting in vitro. Results and discussion. The greatest viability of honeysuckle explants (80–94%) was registered in the samples affected by Lizoformin 3000 (5%) and silver nitrate (0.2%) as sterilizing agents with a sterilization time of 10 min at the stage of in vitro culture introduction. The biggest quantity (8.8 pcs.) and total length (40.1 cm) of microshoots were observed when the content of cytokinin Cytodef in the culture medium QL was 0.3 mg/L at the stage micropropagation proper. The Boreal Beast cultivar had the largest total length of shoots (29.0 cm). The biggest quantity (5.5 pcs.) and total length (30.8 cm) of roots resulted from 0.5 mg/L of auxin IBA at the stage of rooting in vitro. Coconut substrate produced the highest survival rate (92–99%) at the stage of adaptation to non-sterile conditions in vivo, with the greatest number of leaves (8.1–10.2 pcs.) observed in Canadian cultivars. Conclusion. Cytodef and IBA proved to be effective growth-regulating substances for microplants of Russian and Canadian honeysuckle cultivars in vitro, which makes them promising for berry plantations.

Lonicera crassifolia is a prostrate or creeping, evergreen Lonicera species endemic to southwest China. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of L. crassifolia (GenBank accession number: OK393707). The cp genome was 154,731 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,619 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,642 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,735 bp. It encodes 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Lonicera using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The phylogenetic analysis showed that L. crassifolia is a sister to the remaining Nintooa clade with strong bootstrap support.

Lonicerae Flos (LF) derived from the dried flower buds or opening flowers of four Lonicera plants (Lonicera macranthoides, L. hypoglauca, L. confusa, and L. fulvotnetosa), is a popular traditional Chinese medicine. Because the four origin plants are very similar in morphology, it is difficult to control the quality of LF in actual production. Over the past decade, many reports have pointed out the differences among them, including the botanical characteristics and active ingredients. However, there is still a lack of rapid methods that can be applied to the identification of the four origins. In this study, comparative analysis of the four chloroplast genomes was performed, and they showed low diversity (Pi = 0.00267), three variation hotspots regions (rbcL-accD, rps12-ndhF and rps12-trnN-trnG) were identified as potentially molecular marker of highly informative. Meanwhile, the most obvious difference in SSR comparative analysis is reverse and complement repeats were only identified in L. confusa and L. hypoglauca, respectively. Lastly, the phylogenetic tree showed that L. confusa is more closely related to L. fulvotnetosa, while L. macranthoides is closer to L. hypoglauca. This study systematically revealed the differences among the four chloroplast genomes, and it provides valuable genetic information for identifying the origin of LF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator-mediated selection is supposed to influence floral integration. However, the potential pathway through which pollinators drive floral integration needs further investigations. We propose that pollinator proboscis length may play a key role in the evolution of floral integration. We first assessed the divergence of floral traits in 11 Lonicera species. Further, we detected the influence of pollinator proboscis length and eight floral traits on floral integration. We then used phylogenetic structural equation models (PSEMs) to illustrate the pathway through which pollinators drive the divergence of floral integration. Results of PCA indicated that species significantly differed in floral traits. Floral integration increased along with corolla tube length, stigma height, lip length, and the main pollinators’ proboscis length. PSEMs revealed a potential pathway by which pollinator proboscis length directly selected on corolla tube length and stigma height, while lip length co-varied with stigma height. Compared to species with short corolla tubes, long-tube flowers may experience more intense pollinator-mediated selection due to more specialized pollination systems and thus reduce variation in the floral traits. Along elongation of corolla tube and stigma height, the covariation of other relevant traits might help to maintain pollination success. The direct and indirect pollinator-mediation selection collectively enhances floral integration.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a promising berry crop producing edible early-ripening berries with a valuable chemical composition. We evaluated the genetic diversity of native L. caerulea populations from the western (Baltic states) and eastern (the Russian Far East and Japan) edges of the Eurasian range using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and chloroplast DNA (psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) markers. The genetic relationships of populations and genotypes were analyzed using principal coordinate and cluster analyses (neighbor joining and Bayesian clustering). Sampling was carried out in two disjunct areas of this circumpolar species and the analyses showed clustering of individuals and populations according to geographic origin. The analysis of genetic structure based on ISSR markers showed that the studied populations of L. caerulea were highly differentiated. However, sequence analysis of two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions revealed no phylogeographic structure among the populations. We also found that the eastern populations of blue honeysuckle had significantly greater genetic diversity parameters than the populations from the Baltic region. This finding correlates with the endangered status of blue honeysuckle in the Baltic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Invasive species tend to possess acquisitive plant traits that support fast growth and strong competitive ability. However, the relevance of symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the fast growing, acquisitive strategy of invasive species is still unclear. Methods: We measured AMF colonization in roots of five congeneric pairs of invasive and native eastern North American woody species (10 species total; 4 lianas, 6 shrubs) that were grown in a monoculture common garden experiment in Syracuse, NY. We then examined the relationships of AMF colonization to above and belowground traits of these species. Results: Total AMF colonization and arbuscule colonization were greater in invasive compared to native woody species, a pattern that was more distinct in congeneric shrubs than congeneric lianas. The level of AMF colonization was also positively correlated with traits indicative of rapid plant growth and nutrient uptake. Conclusions: The concordance of a resource‐acquisitive strategy with higher AMF colonization suggests that symbioses with AMF may be part of the strategy by which invasive woody plants of eastern North America are able to maintain fast growth rates and outcompete their native counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeysuckle Lonicera pallasii (Lonicera caerulea L.) is an excellent source of anthocyanins which have a number of health-promoting properties mainly associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is one of the most common anthocyanins naturally found in honeysuckle. The goal of the present study was to investigate antioxidant and anti-aging properties of Lonicera pallasii (Lonicera caerulea L.) extract (LE) and C3G using red blood cells (RBC) and Drosophila melanogaster models. LE and C3G treatment at a concentration of 100 μM induced enhancement of median and maximum lifespan up to 8%. LE and C3G supplementation at a concentration of 100 μM increased stress resistance up to 10%. The locomotor activity decreased during LE and C3G treatment in 4 and 6 weeks up to 52% in females. The integrity of the intestinal barrier was increased by 4% after LE treatment. These effects were accompanied by increased expression of Hif1 (pro-longevity gene) in response to C3G treatment and decreased expression of Keap1 (anti-longevity gene) after C3G and LE supplementation. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Sirt6 completely abolished the positive effect obtained of LE and C3G supplementation in males which indicates that lifespan-extending effect is associated with Sirt6 activation. The experiments on the various in-vitro models (including radical scavenging activity and oxidative hemolysis of RBC demonstrated antioxidant and membrane-protective activities of LE and C3G. The present study indicates that Lonicera extract can prolong the lifespan and improve the healthspan of Drosophila model through biological and antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study centered on detecting potentially anti-inflammatory active constituents in ethanolic extracts of Chinese Lonicera species by taking an UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolite profiling approach. Extracts from eight different Lonicera species were subjected to both UHPLC-HRMS analysis and to pharmacological testing in three different cellular inflammation-related assays. Compounds exhibiting high correlations in orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of pharmacological and MS data served as potentially activity-related candidates. Of these candidates, 65 were tentatively or unambiguously annotated. 7-Hydroxy-5,3′,4′,5′-tetramethoxyflavone and three bioflavonoids, as well as three C32- and one C34-acetylated polyhydroxy fatty acid, were isolated from Lonicera hypoglauca leaves for the first time, and their structures were fully or partially elucidated. Of the potentially active candidate compounds, 15 were subsequently subjected to pharmacological testing. Their activities could be experimentally verified in part, emphasizing the relevance of Lonicera species as a source of anti-inflammatory active constituents. However, some compounds also impaired the cell viability. Overall, the approach was found useful to narrow down the number of potentially bioactive constituents in the complex extracts investigated. In the future, the application of more refined concepts, such as extract prefractionation combined with bio-chemometrics, may help to further enhance the reliability of candidate selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Olfactory stimulation is an often overlooked method of environmental enrichment for cats in captivity. The best known example of olfactory enrichment is the use of catnip, a plant that can cause an apparently euphoric reaction in domestic cats and most of the Pantherinae. It has long been known that some domestic cats and most tigers do not respond to catnip. Although many anecdotes exist of other plants with similar effects, data are lacking about the number of cats that respond to these plants, and if cats that do not respond to catnip respond to any of them. Furthermore, much is still unknown about which chemicals in these plants cause this response. METHODS: We tested catnip, silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root on 100 domestic cats and observed their response. Each cat was offered all four plant materials and a control, multiple times. Catnip and silver vine also were offered to nine tigers. The plant materials were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to quantify concentrations of compounds believed to exert stimulating effects on cats. RESULTS: Nearly all domestic cats responded positively to olfactory enrichment. In agreement with previous studies, one out of every three cats did not respond to catnip. Almost 80% of the domestic cats responded to silver vine and about 50% to Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root. Although cats predominantly responded to fruit galls of the silver vine plant, some also responded positively to its wood. Of the cats that did not respond to catnip, almost 75% did respond to silver vine and about one out of three to Tatarian honeysuckle. Unlike domestic cats, tigers were either not interested in silver vine or responded disapprovingly. The amount of nepetalactone was highest in catnip and only present at marginal levels in the other plants. Silver vine contained the highest concentrations of all other compounds tested. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory enrichment for cats may have great potential. Silver vine powder from dried fruit galls and catnip were most popular among domestic cats. Silver vine and Tatarian honeysuckle appear to be good alternatives to catnip for domestic cats that do not respond to catnip.

Due to its value and economic importance, the genome of Lonicera caerulea L. has been widely studied in various fields of science. In this study the genetic structure and relationships between 24 accessions of L. caerulea of different origins were assessed. A total of 692, 814, and 258 loci were amplified using 43 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), 40 ISSR (intersimple sequence repeat), and 20 R-ISSR (RAPD+ISSR) primers, respectively. Among the amplified loci, 66–78% were polymorphic and 12–20% were private. Selected R-ISSR sequences were detected in Lonicera japonica transcripts. Cluster and STRUCTURE analyses performed for each of the techniques revealed the existing differences and unknown similarities between the genotypes. The r-factor values calculated in the Mantel test indicated highly significant positive correlations between the Nei distance matrices, similar to the FST values (FST_RAPD = 0.223, FST_ISSR = 0.279, FST_R-ISSR = 0.363) determined in the analysis of molecular variance. It was found that 78%, 72%, and 64% of the genetic variations were related to the differences observed within the populations, which suggest that the variations are mainly reflected in the differences among the genotypes. The principal coordinate analysis showed greater differences between the mean distances of the Lonicera genotype pair and the actual distances of the same pairs on the Nei matrix compared to multidimensional scaling. These differences were 45%, 56%, and 42% higher for RAPD, ISSR and R-ISSR, respectively.

As a result of current climate change, flooding events are becoming more frequent and lasting longer, resulting in temporal floods in areas that have not historically experienced this disturbance. One critical aspect of forest dynamics that could be significantly impacted by increasing flooding is tree species recruitment. While adult trees may be able to survive temporary flooding, establishing seedlings with shallow root systems may not. A single flooding event could jeopardize decades of recruitment if seedlings are unable to survive the anaerobic conditions imposed by higher water levels. Despite the potential impact of flooding on forest dynamics, there is little information on seedling recruitment patterns after exposure to flooding. To understand how flooding conditions could possibly be impacting forest recruitment, we conducted a field observational study across seven temperate forests. We gathered data on seedling abundance and diversity in areas with signs of recent flooding, as well as in nearby control (dry) areas. After controlling for the proximity of seed sources, our findings revealed a significant disparity between control and flooded plots in terms of seedling numbers and diversity, with control plots consistently exhibiting higher seedling abundance and species diversity. Decreases in seedling abundance ranged from 66% to 88%. This trend was consistent across most forests, except one with a historical prevalence of flooding. Species diversity was higher in control plots, with one or two species more. When comparing between native and invasive species, native seedlings tended to be more abundant in dry versus flooded plots, while invasive seedlings exhibited similar abundance under both conditions. These results point to the potential adverse effects novel flooding conditions could have on temperate forest recruitment dynamics and thus on future forest structure and composition, information that could be included in vegetation models of future forest performance as well as accounted for in the development of conservation and management plans. [Display omitted] • Flooding is associated with 66–88% lower seedling abundance of woody species. • Species richness was one to two species higher in non-flooded than flooded plots. • Native species were found to persist more effectively in non-flooded environments. • Invasive species recruited similarly in both flooded and non-flooded conditions. • Flooding impact on plant recruitment should be accounted for in forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicera caerulea fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. The fruits of the L. caerulea var. kamtschatica cultivars ‘Duet’ and ‘Aurora’ and the L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx cultivars ‘Lori’, ‘Colin’ and ‘Willa’ were used in this study. L. emphyllocalyx fruit, especially the cultivar ‘Willa’, was characterised as having a higher acidity by an average of 29.96% compared to L. kamtschatica. The average ascorbic acid content of the L. kamtschatica fruit was 53.5 mg·100 g−1 f.w., while L. emphyllocalyx fruit had an average content that was 14.14% lower. The antioxidant activity (determined by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) varied according to the cultivar and the species of fruit analysed. The total polyphenol content differed significantly depending on the cultivar analysed; fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar ‘Willa’ were characterised by the lowest content of total polyphenols—416.94 mg GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—while the highest content of total polyphenols—747.85 GAE·100 g−1 f.w.—was found in the fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar ‘Lori’. Lonicera caerulea fruits contained 26 different phenolic compounds in their compositions, of which the highest content was characterised by cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (average: 347.37 mg·100 g−1). On the basis of this study, it appears that both L. kamtschatica fruits and L. emphyllocalyx fruits, especially of the cultivars ‘Lori’ and ‘Willa’, can be used in food processing.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High‐risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by potted plants (2–4 years old) of specified Lonicera species produced in nurseries and that are imported from Turkey, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the NPPO of Turkey. The relevance of any pest for this Opinion was based on evidence following defined criteria listed in Section 4.1. Three species, the EU‐quarantine pests Lopholeucaspis japonica and Meloidogyne chitwoodi and the protected zone quarantine pest Bemisia tabaci, fulfilled these criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Turkey were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The estimated degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with B. tabaci on evergreen species of Lonicera spp. being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9,293 and 10,000 plants per 10,000 would be free of B. tabaci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Haskap (Lonicera L.) is as a new perspective berry species for growing in temperate region climate. According to nowadays knowledge haskap is absolutely self-sterile species hence the studies on pollination mode are required. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate new haskap cultivars of Canadian and Russian origin in terms of their matching for cross-pollination. METHODS: The overlapping of flowering time of cultivars for mutual cross pollination was selected. The effectiveness of pollination was assessed: in terms of pollen tube overgrowth through the pistil tissue and the quality of set fruit. RESULTS: The Russian cultivars bloomed much earlier than the Canadian cultivars. The stigma is most receptive in the freshly open flower stage and directly after the anther burst. The minimum qualitatively acceptable weight of a berry is 1 g, which corresponds to the formation of about 6 seeds in the fruit. The most compatible pairs of cultivars were: 'Aurora'×'Jugana', 'Aurora'×'Sinij Utes' and 'Aurora'×'Vostorg'. CONCLUSION: The Russian cultivars bloomed much earlier than the Canadian cultivars, the stigma is most receptive in the freshly open flower, minimum qualitatively acceptable weight of berry is 1 g (what represents 6 seeds in fruit), best mutual pollinating cultivars are the cultivars within the same breeding group (Russian x Russian and Canadian x Canadian) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Lonicera (Caprifoliaceae) is of great economical significance. It has been taxonomically studied frequently in history, while phylogenetic relationships intra the genus are still obscure. Here, we reported the first species complete chloroplast genome sequence in the section Isoxylosteum, Lonicera angustifolia var. myrtillus. It is 156,222 bp in length, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,838 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,211 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,509 bp. In L. angustifolia var. myrtillus chloroplast genome, a total of 114 functional genes were identified, with an overall GC content of 38.4%. The phylogenetic relationships of Lonicera based on maximum-likelihood (ML) showed that L. angustifolia var. myrtillus is most closely related to L. nervosa in section Isika. Our study contributes to the molecular phylogenetic studies of Lonicera and Caprifoliaceae.

Aquaculture has suffered significant financial losses as a result of the infection of zoonotic Aeromonas hydrophila, which has a high level of resistance to classic antibiotics. In this study, we isolated an A. hydrophila strain B3 from diseased soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), which is one of the most commercially significant freshwater farmed reptiles in East Asia, and found that A. hydrophila was its dominant pathogen. To better understand the inhibition effect and action mechanism of Chinese herbs on A. hydrophila, we conducted Chinese herbs screening and found that Lonicera japonica had a significant antibacterial effect on A. hydrophila B3. Experimental therapeutics of L. japonica on soft-shelled turtle showed that the supplement of 1% L. japonica to diet could significantly upregulate the immunity-related gene expression of soft-shelled turtle and protect soft-shelled turtle against A. hydrophila infection. Histopathological section results validated the protective effect of L. japonica. As the major effective component of L. japonica, chlorogenic acid demonstrated significant inhibitory effect on the growth of A. hydrophila with MIC at 6.4 mg/mL. The in vitro assay suggested that chlorogenic acid could inhibit the hemolysin/protease production and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila and significantly decrease the expression of quorum sensing, biofilm formation, and hemolysin-related genes in A. hydrophila. Our results showed that the Chinese herb L. japonica would be a promising candidate for the treatment of A. hydrophila infections in aquaculture, and it not only improves the immune response of aquatic animals but also inhibits the virulence factor (such as biofilm formation) expression of A. hydrophila. KEY POINTS: • A. hydrophila was the dominant pathogen of the diseased soft-shelled turtle. • L. japonica can protect soft-shelled turtle against A. hydrophila infection. • Chlorogenic acid inhibits the growth and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background/AimsThe Flos Lonicera extract GCWB104 has been shown to have significant protective effects against gastritis and gastric ulcers in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of GCWB104 in subjects with functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods : In this single-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 92 subjects diagnosed with FD using the Rome III criteria were allocated to either the test group (300 mg of GCWB104, containing 125 mg of Flos Lonicera extract, twice daily) or the placebo group (300 mg placebo, twice daily). The total score improvement on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) for individual symptoms, changes in antioxidant levels, changes in dyspepsia-related quality of life according to the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), and adverse effects were compared before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results : The differences in total GSRS scores and score improvements after 8 weeks of treatment were significant between the GCWB104 and control groups (p=0.0452 and p=0.0486, respectively). Thirteen of 15 individual symptoms on the GSRS improved in the GCWB104 group, while six symptoms improved in the control group. In addition, statistically significant changes in rumbling, loose stool, and stool urgency were observed in the GCWB104 group. Blood 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, known as antioxidants, showed significant reductions after 8 weeks of administration of GCWB104. There were no adverse events related to treatment with GCWB104.Conclusion : sGCWB104 safely contributed to improvements in mild to moderate FD and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Antioxidant effects of GCWB104 were also suggested (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04008901).

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Lonicera caerulea L. ethanol extract (LCEE) and water extract (LCWE) in vitro . We primarily evaluated the improvement effect of LCWE and LCEE on hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory damage in RAW 264.7 cells by detecting oxidation-related indicators and inflammatory factors, respectively. Cellular studies showed that LCWE and LCEE increased superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide peroxide levels in H 2 O 2 -induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, LCWE and LCEE decreased the secretion of inflammatory factors [e.g., interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α] in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, LCWE and LCEE demonstrated excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro . However, LCWE was superior to LCEE, which may be related to its chemical composition and requires further research., Competing Interests: AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Honeysuckle, first documented in the Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians, is known for its ability to expel toxin and cool blood to stop diarrhea. Modern pharmacological research has shown that honeysuckle has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and immune-regulating effects and is widely used in clinical practice. However, the effect of honeysuckle on ulcerative colitis (UC) is still not fully understood, which presents challenges for quality control, research and development., Aim of the Study: This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanism of action of aqueous extracts of honeysuckle in the treatment of ulcerative colitis., Materials and Methods: The dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced-ulcerative colitis mouse model was established, and the mice were divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, and the low, medium, and high dose honeysuckle treatment groups., Results: All dose groups of honeysuckle were found to significantly reduce IL-6 and TNF-α levels and regulate DSS-induced mRNA levels of CLDN4, COX-2, IL-6, INOS, MUC-2, occludin and NLRP3. The high-dose group displayed the most effective inhibition, and a differentially expressed mRNA detection indicated abnormal mRNA expression. The 16sRNA sequencing revealed that the honeysuckle was able to significantly upregulate the abundance of beneficial bacteria and downregulate the abundance of harmful bacteria. The study of short-chain fatty acids revealed that the levels of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, valeric and isovaleric acids were significantly increased after administering honeysuckle at medium and high doses., Conclusion: Honeysuckle reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increases the content of short-chain fatty acids and restores the intestinal ecological balance, resulting in better therapeutic effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of Lonicerae flos and Turmeric extracts (LTE) added to diets on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 720 healthy 21-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups, with 6 replicates and 40 broilers per replicate. These 3 dietary treatments included a basal diet + 0 g/t LTE (CON), a basal diet + 300 g/t LTE (LTE300), and a basal diet + 500 g/t LTE (LTE500). The results showed that dietary supplementation of LTE linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (d 21-38) and average daily feed intake (d 21-60). At d 60, LTE300 had the highest serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), and LTE500 had the lowest malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05) among the three groups. Moreover, compared to CON, LTE300 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase activity (d 38); LTE500 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase levels (d 60) in the serum. LTE groups significantly (P < 0.05) increased ileal the ratio of villus height to crypt depth and serum immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of LTE also improved the intestinal epithelial barrier by the up-regulated mRNA expression of Claudin-1, Occludin and zonula occludens-1, and decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-2, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κB, myeloid differentiation factor 88 and toll-like receptor 4. Compared to CON, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that LTE300 had a better effect on the microbial diversity and composition in the ileum, and Bacillus and Lactobacillus&#95;agilis were significantly enriched in LTE300. PICRUSt results showed that LTE300 was significantly (P < 0.05) enriched in four pathway pathways at KEGG level 2. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with LTE improved growth performance and intestinal health by enhancing antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and immune function, and regulating intestinal flora of yellow-feathered broilers., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Species delimitation is essential since species is regarded as the basic unit of analysis in nearly all biological disciplines, such as ecology, biogeography, conservation biology, and macroevolution. The genus Lonicera, which includes approximately 200 species, is a major component of the family Caprifoliaceae, comprising a large number of horticultural and economically important shrubs and tree species. This genus is represented in Iran by 9 species. In spite vast distribution of many Lonicera species that grow in Iran, there are not any available report on their genetic diversity, mode of divergence and patterns of dispersal. Therefore data molecular (ISSR markers) with four primer pairs generated 77 polymorphic bands.and morphological studies of 70 accessions from 7 species of Lonicera, that were collected from different habitats in Iran were performed. The aims of the present study are: 1) to find the diagnostic value of ISSR markers in delimitation of Lonicera species, 2) to find the genetic structure of these taxa in Iran, and 3) to investigate the species inter-relationship. The present study revealed that combination of morphological and ISSR data can delimit the species. AMOVA and STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the species of Lonicera are genetically differentiated but have some degree of shared common alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral orientation has been suggested to be a functional floral trait that can enhance reproductive fitness through adaptation to both biotic factors (e.g., pollination) and abiotic factors (e.g., temperature). However, whether those factors drive the diversification of floral orientation needs to be explored through multiple related species. Phylogenetic relationships in Lonicera were identified by incorporating the species' floral orientation (upward vs. downward) and pollinator types. Furthermore, transitions in floral orientation were evaluated together with pollinator shift, and seven Lonicera species were used to detect the influence of floral orientation on pollination and reproductive success. The relationship between temperature and the angle of floral orientation was investigated. Floral orientation in Lonicera showed that most of the closely related species within the same node displayed a similar pattern of floral orientation, and pollinator shift can lead to transitions between upward and downward orientation. Additionally, the angle of floral orientation increased with flowering phenology from spring to summer, and changing floral orientation significantly decreased pollination and seed production. Moreover, the average daily temperature during flowering phenology was significantly correlated with the angle of floral orientation. Our results indicate that pollinator shift could be an important event, leading to the diversification of floral orientation. Results of field investigations inferred that floral orientation should be a functional floral trait adapted to flowering phenology. Downward‐facing flowers might help decrease heat loss to adapt to cold conditions. This study disentangled the influences of historical events and local adaptation on the evolution of floral orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bench-scale and pilot-scale methods were developed for the separation of extracted caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) also called reference standard extracts (RSE) from defined source Lonicerae species using macroporous resin. Various separation parameters of the process were optimized such as Lonicera hypoglauca Miq. batch No. 4, 75% ethanol as extraction solvent, SD3000 macroporous resin, 3 mg/mL of total CQA loading solutions, 2 BV/h of adsorption and desorption flow rates and ethanol-water (30:70, 80:20, v/v) as eluent in gradient mode. The pilot-scale experiments were evaluated in six cycles. The quantitative analysis of CQA using RSE and mixed external standards were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lonicera crassifolia is a prostrate or creeping, evergreen Lonicera species endemic to southwest China. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of L. crassifolia (GenBank accession number: OK393707). The cp genome was 154,731 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,619 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,642 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,735 bp. It encodes 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Lonicera using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The phylogenetic analysis showed that L. crassifolia is a sister to the remaining Nintooa clade with strong bootstrap support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a promising berry crop producing edible early-ripening berries with a valuable chemical composition. We evaluated the genetic diversity of native L. caerulea populations from the western (Baltic states) and eastern (the Russian Far East and Japan) edges of the Eurasian range using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and chloroplast DNA (psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) markers. The genetic relationships of populations and genotypes were analyzed using principal coordinate and cluster analyses (neighbor joining and Bayesian clustering). Sampling was carried out in two disjunct areas of this circumpolar species and the analyses showed clustering of individuals and populations according to geographic origin. The analysis of genetic structure based on ISSR markers showed that the studied populations of L. caerulea were highly differentiated. However, sequence analysis of two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions revealed no phylogeographic structure among the populations. We also found that the eastern populations of blue honeysuckle had significantly greater genetic diversity parameters than the populations from the Baltic region. This finding correlates with the endangered status of blue honeysuckle in the Baltic states.

Various species of the Vaccinium genus (V. corymbosum, VC; V. myrtillus, VM) are regularly subjected to adulteration with similar, blue-coloured berries such as Amelanchier alnifolia (AA) or Lonicera caerulea (LC). Thirty-one berry samples were tested to determine and verify their basic chemical composition and profile of anthocyanins. Saccharose and sorbitol were detected only in AA (at levels of 5.2 ± 9.1 g·kg-1 and 25.7 ± 1.4 g·kg-1, respectively) and LC (at levels of 45.2 ± 0.1 g·kg-1 and 45.3 ± 0.1 g·kg-1, respectively). Quinic acid was present in all analysed berries and reached the highest content in VM (6.6 ± 1.4 g·kg-1). Isocitric acid was a typical compound found in VC (46.1 ± 14.4 mg·kg-1) and LC (63.4 ± 9.2 mg·kg-1). The highest ash and potassium content were found in AA, reaching levels of 9.1 ± 1.2 g·kg-1 and 3 213.2 ± 177.7 mg·kg-1, respectively. Delphinidin-3-arabinoside (56.7 %), cyanidin-3-glucoside (82.3 %) and malvidin-3-galactoside (29.2 %) were identified as dominant anthocyanins in AA, LC and VC, respectively. Conversely, delphinidin-3-glucoside (15.0 %), petunidin-3-glucoside (10.4 %) and peonidin-3-glucoside (4.8 %) were found in VM in significantly higher amounts than in other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea) is a perennial plant of the Caprifoliaceae family that has captured considerable attention in recent years as a health functional food. Many distinct and unique phytoconstituents have been introduced alongside bioactivities, mounting the nutritional and biological uses of this plant as a functional food and in traditional medicine. The paper covers comprehensive information on the nutritional and phytochemical components of honeysuckle, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, organic acids, triterpenoids, iridoids, and fatty acids. Meanwhile, bioactivities that promote health, including antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, cardio protective, antitumor, liver and lung protective, and antimicrobial activities based on in vitro and in vivo studies, have also been included. The review briefly summarizes a few published and unpublished human studies. In addition, it also outlines commercial applications and future perspectives and challenges. About 186 chemicals have been identified from different parts of the honeysuckle. Its newly identified compounds are triterpenoids, iridoids, and fatty acids. Overall, the plant has many pharmacological activities, as confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Since significant clinical data on blue honeysuckle are scarce, well-designed human intervention studies are required to further confirm the biological activity in humans. • Approximately 186 phytoconstituents have been characterized in Lonicera caerulea. • Lonicera caerulea has ample health-promoting activites. • Majority of the articles evaluated preclinical applications. • Future endeavors should consider human studies. • Lonicera caerulea is a promising plant to develop as a health food product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study centered on detecting potentially anti-inflammatory active constituents in ethanolic extracts of Chinese Lonicera species by taking an UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolite profiling approach. Extracts from eight different Lonicera species were subjected to both UHPLC-HRMS analysis and to pharmacological testing in three different cellular inflammation-related assays. Compounds exhibiting high correlations in orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of pharmacological and MS data served as potentially activity-related candidates. Of these candidates, 65 were tentatively or unambiguously annotated. 7-Hydroxy-5,3′,4′,5′-tetramethoxyflavone and three bioflavonoids, as well as three C32- and one C34-acetylated polyhydroxy fatty acid, were isolated from Lonicera hypoglauca leaves for the first time, and their structures were fully or partially elucidated. Of the potentially active candidate compounds, 15 were subsequently subjected to pharmacological testing. Their activities could be experimentally verified in part, emphasizing the relevance of Lonicera species as a source of anti-inflammatory active constituents. However, some compounds also impaired the cell viability. Overall, the approach was found useful to narrow down the number of potentially bioactive constituents in the complex extracts investigated. In the future, the application of more refined concepts, such as extract prefractionation combined with bio-chemometrics, may help to further enhance the reliability of candidate selection.

Honeysuckles are frost tolerant plants providing early-ripening fruits with health-promoting properties which have been used in traditional medicine in China. This study evaluates the impact of the climatic conditions of two areas on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AOA; by DPPH—2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and photochemiluminescence assays) of eight cultivars of honeysuckle berries (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Pojark) of various ripening times. Expectedly, chemical composition and AOA values varied depending on the cultivars, locality and selected methods. Berries from Lednice (the area with more sunshine) showed higher average contents of total monomeric anthocyanins (TMAC; pH differential absorbance method), vitamins C and E and total phenolics (high-performance liquid chromatography). In contrast, berries from Žabčice (the area with more rain) performed higher average contents of total phenolics and flavonoids (UV/VIS spectroscopic analyses). Interestingly, fundamental amounts of chlorogenic acid were determined irrespective of the locality. Regarding TMAC and vitamin C content, early ripening Amphora from both areas has been assessed as the best cultivar; concerning the content of phenolic compounds, Fialka from both areas and Amphora from Lednice is considered as the most valuable. The obtained results may facilitate the selection of the most valuable cultivars for both producers and consumers.

Rationale: The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Lonicerae Japonicae flos (LJF) and Lonicera flos (LF) play a pivotal role in determining their sensory characteristics, medicinal properties, and subsequent impact on market pricing and consumer preferences. However, the differences and specificity of these VOCs remain obscure. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive characterization of the VOCs in LJF and LF and pinpoint their potential differential VOCs., Methods: In this study, headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC/IMS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) were employed to comprehensively investigate the compositional characteristics and distinctions in VOCs between LJF and LF. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify candidate differential VOCs of LJF and LF samples., Results: A total of 54 and 88 VOCs were identified using HS-GC/IMS and HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis, respectively. Primary VOCs detected in LJF include leaf alcohol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol dimer, 2-octyn-1-ol, and (E)-3-hexen-1-ol. Key VOCs prevalent in LF encompass farnesol, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, and valeric acid. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates that compounds such as phenethyl alcohol and leaf alcohol were selected as potential VOCs for distinguishing between LJF and LF., Conclusion: This research conducted a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental volatile components in both LJF and LF. It subsequently elucidated the distinctions and specificities within their respective VOC profiles. And this study enables differentiation between LJF and LF through the analysis of VOCs, offering valuable insights for enhancing the quality control of both LJF and LF., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Presbyopia is a global problem with an estimated 1.3 billion patients worldwide. In the area of functional food applications, dietary supplements or herbs, there are very few reports describing the positive effects of their use. In the available literature, there is a lack of studies in humans as well as on an animal model of extracts containing, simultaneously, compounds from the polyphenol group (in particular, anthocyanins) and iridoids, so we undertook a study of the effects of a preparation composed of these compounds on a condition of the organ of vision. Our previous experience on a rabbit model proved the positive effect of taking an oral extract of Cornus mas in stabilizing the intraocular pressure of the eye. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an orally administered ternary compound preparation on the status of physiological parameters of the ocular organ. The preparation contained an extract of the chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa, the honeysuckle berry Lonicera caerulea L., and the bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus (hereafter AKB) standardized for anthocyanins and iridoids, as bioactive compounds known from the literature. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study lasting with a "wash-out" period of 17 weeks evaluated a group of 23 people over the age of 50, who were subjects with presbyopia and burdened by prolonged work in front of screen monitors. The group of volunteers was recruited from people who perform white-collar jobs on a daily basis. The effects of the test substances contained in the preparation on visual acuity for distance and near, sense of contrast for distance and near, intraocular pressure, and conjunctival lubrication, tested by Schirmer test, LIPCOF index and TBUT test, and visual field test were evaluated. Anthocyanins (including cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, delphinidin 3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside) and iridoids (including loganin, sweroside, loganic acid) were identified as substances present in the extract obtained by HPLC-MS. The preliminary results showed that the composition of AKB applied orally does not change visual acuity in the first 6 weeks of administration. Only in the next cycle of the study was an improvement in near visual acuity observed in 92.3% of the patients. This may indicate potential to correct near vision in presbyopic patients. On the other hand, an improvement in conjunctival wetting was observed in the Schirmer test at the beginning of week 6 of administration in 80% of patients. This effect was weakened in subsequent weeks of conducting the experiment to 61.5%. The improvement in conjunctival hydration in the Schirmer test shows the potential beneficial effect of the AKB formulation in a group of patients with dry eye syndrome. This is the first study of a preparation based on natural, standardized extracts of chokeberry, honeysuckle berry, and bilberry. Preliminary studies show an improvement in near visual acuity and conjunctival hydration on the Schirmer test, but this needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Polyphenol-starch complexes exhibit synergistic and beneficial effects on both polyphenols and resistant starches. This study evaluates the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of α-amylase on a Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenol-wheat starch (LPWS) complex following high hydrostatic pressure treatments of 400 MPa for 30 min and 600 MPa for 30 min. The IC50 values for α-amylase inhibition by the complex were 3.61 ± 0.10 mg/mL and 3.42 ± 0.08 mg/mL at a 10 % (w/w) polyphenol content. This interaction was further supported by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism, which confirmed that the alpha helix component of the secondary structure of α-amylase was reduced due to the complex. Multifluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the complex induces changes in the microenvironment of fluorophores surrounding the α-amylase active site. Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking revealed that the active site of amylose within the complex becomes enveloped in polyphenol clusters. This wrapping effect reduced the hydrogen bonds between amylose and α-amylase, decreasing from 16 groups to just one group. In summary, the LPWS complex represents a low-digestible carbohydrate food source, thus laying the groundwork for the research and development of functional foods aimed at postprandial hypoglycemic effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, antinociceptive effect, and wound healing activity of the Lonicera caprifolium L. flower essential oil (LCEO). Linalool (16.42%), d-limonene (9.99%), and α-cadinol (10.65%) were the most prevalent components of the LCEO. The LCEO revealed moderate DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. LCEO exhibited potent antinociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate-induced pain model; LCEO reduced 73.88 ± 2.78% of writhing and significantly increased pain withdrawal latency in the mice, respectively. The LCEO also presented a potent wound healing effect, with 98.08 ± 1.37% wound closure on the 12th day of treatment. The results of the study demonstrate antioxidant and wound healing potential with antinociceptive effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the bioactivities of L. caprifolium L. essential oil.

The work within this study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of compound enzyme extraction (CE), ultrasonic chemical extraction (UC) and combined fermentation extraction (CF) on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) extracted from blue honeysuckle berries. The results showed that CE-SDF had higher crystallinity (32.41%). UC-SDF had the highest yield (13.32 ± 0.80 g/100 g). CF-SDF had the maximum inhibition of α-amylase (50.82 ± 0.76%) and α-glucosidase (54.87 ± 1.25%). The in vitro hypoglycemic activity of the three SDFs was observed in the order of CF > CE > UC. Meanwhile, the purity of SDF had a strong positive correlation with its antioxidant and in vitro hypoglycemic capacities. The crystallinity of SDF was found to be positively correlated with its molecular weight and thermal properties. Additionally, the sugar composition of SDF was found to be an important factor affecting its biological activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Lonicera japonica Thunb. has been used as a traditional medicinal herb in China for thousands of years for its heat-clearing and detoxification effects. In recent years, experimental and clinical studies have shown that some Lonicera japonica-containing Chinese medicine prescriptions have been used to treat intraepithelia neoplasia caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. However, its bioactive molecules and mechanism of action have not been fully explored., Aim of the Study: In this study, Lonicera japonica-derived exosomes was extracted and exosomal miR2911 was identified. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that miR2911 potentially binds to the sequence of HPV. The mechanism of miR2911 action on HPV and the effect of exosomal miR2911 on HPV-induced cervical cancer cells were investigated., Methods: The potential targets of miR2911 on the HPV sequence were predicted and confirmed by using RNAhybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Lonicera japonica exosomes were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy and zeta sizer analysis. RT-qPCR was used to measure miR2911 concentration in various tissues and exosomes. Synthetic miR2911 and GFP-E6/E7 plasmids were transfected into HEK293T cells to examine the effect of miR2911 on E6/E7 gene expression. The effects of miR2911 on endogenous E6/E7 mRNA and protein levels were detected in HPV16/18-positive cervical cancer cells by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The proliferation and apoptosis of CaSki, SiHa and HeLa cells by the treatment of miR2911 or miR2911-containing exosomes were examined by CCK8, colony formation and flow cytometry assays., Results: MiR2911 is found to be enriched in various Lonicera japonica tissues, and is stably present in Lonicera japonica-derived exosomes. It is observed that MiR2911 directly binds to E6 and E7 oncogenes of HPV16/18, leading to the suppression of their protein expression. In addition, the endogenous E6/E7 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased by using miR2911 treatment in HPV16/18-positive cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, both miR2911 and miR2911-containing exosomes inhibited cell proliferation of SiHa, CaSki and HeLa cells, meanwhile inducing the cell apoptosis through E6/E7-p53/Caspase3 axis., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that miR2911, an active component present in Lonicera japonica exosomes, inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by targeting the E6/E7 genes of HPV16/18. Thus, Lonicera japonica-derived exosomal miR2911 has implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HPV-associated cervical cancers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is usually treated with steroids, but long-term use is not an effective cure because side effects and disease aggravation. Therefore, more effective and safer treatments are needed. Using dexamethasone as the positive control, the mechanism of action of water-extracted homogeneous honeysuckle Lonicera japonica polysaccharide (WLJP-025p) to alleviate AD was studied. Mice were administered 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in their bare back and right ear to mimic an AD model. The efficacy of WLJP-025p in AD was assessed by measuring right ear thickness and skin lesion scores, pathological observation (haematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue staining), and serum IgE and IL-1β concentrations. The expression of relevant genes and proteins in the serum and back skin was detected using RT-qPCR, ELISA, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation of WLJP-025p and Act1 were performed. WLJP-025p considerably alleviated skin hyperplasia and pathological abnormalities in AD mice and inhibited the expression of Act1, Nucleus-P65, Nucleus-AP-1, and MAPK-related proteins in skin tissues. WLJP-025p formed a stable conformation with Act1, inhibited splenic Th17 differentiation, IL-17 release, and upregulated the expression of related skin barrier proteins. In conclusion, WLJP-025p affects the inflammation regulation via the MAPK/NFκB/AP-1 axis by binding to Act1, promotes the recovery of epithelial barrier function, and alleviates AD in mice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The article is dealing with evaluation of four fruit maturity stages of 6 selected clones (LKL-3, LKL-14, LKL-19, LKL-33, LKL-96 and LKL-103) of Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast.) Pojark in relation to total polyphenols, flavonoids content and antioxidant activity of berries. The experiment in 5 replications of each clones has been established in the conditions of Botanical Garden in Nitra (Slovak republic)in 2016. The results of analyses proved that in respect of the total polyphenols content (TPC), the content of flavonoids (FC) and the antioxidant activity the most valuable clones at the stage of full ripened fruit were following: LKL-14 (8.77; 2.57 g/kg FW; 9.07 g/kg), LKL-33 (6.77; 2.84 g/kg FW; 9.16 g/kg) and LKL -3 (8.19; 2.61 g/kg FW; 8.94 g/kg). The results of statistical analyses by one-way analysis of variance proved significant differences among assayed clones in total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of fruit but no differences among content of total polyphenols and assayed stages of fruit maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying fruit is one of the simplest ways to extend the shelf-life of fruit, especially berries. Both higher temperature and time of heating significantly change the contents of some primary and secondary metabolites in honeysuckle fruit. Differences in their contents arising from different heat treatments were determined with the aid of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrophotometry (MS). The content of sugars showed a small change with drying, while organic acid contents decreased with a longer drying time. Ascorbic acid was totally degraded, regardless of the time or heating temperature. Different phenolic groups responded differently to heat intensity and time of drying. Flavanols were more sensitive to higher temperature than to duration of heating and they decreased by more than 70% at 75 °C. In contrast, the content of hydroxycinnamic acids, increased with drying by more than 75%, regardless of the time and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]