Updated pharmacological effects of Lonicerae japonicae flos, with a focus on its potential efficacy on coronavirus disease–2019 (COVID-19)

Zhao, Hui; Zeng, Sha; Chen, Li; Sun, Qiang; Liu, Maolun; Yang, Han; Ren, Shan; Ming, Tianqi; Meng, Xianli; Xu, Haibo

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF), known as Jin Yin Hua in Chinese, is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese herbs and nutraceuticals. Nowadays, LJF is broadly applied in an array of afflictions, such as fever, sore throat, flu infection, cough, and arthritis, with the action mechanism to be elucidated. Here, we strove to summarize the main phytochemical components of LJF and review its updated pharmacological effects, including inhibition of inflammation, pyrexia, viruses, and bacteria, immunoregulation, and protection of the liver, nervous system, and heart, with a focus on the potential efficacy of LJF on coronavirus disease–2019 based on network pharmacology so as to fully underpin the utilization of LJF as a medicinal herb and a favorable nutraceutical in daily life.