What Is Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Flower Extract? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

Lonicera japonica Extract, also known as Honeysuckle Extract or Chlorogenic Acid Extract, is a natural plant extract processed from the dried flower buds or initially opened flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb., a plant of the Caprifoliaceae family, through extraction, filtration, concentration, and drying processes. It is a functional ingredient with multiple biological activities. Lonicera japonica, also known as double-flower or Japanese honeysuckle, derives its name from the fact that the flowers open white and turn yellow. It is one of the precious traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and was first recorded in the Mingyi Bieliu (Records of Famous Physicians) as a superior-grade herb. It has the functions of clearing heat and removing toxins and dispersing wind-heat. In ancient China, Lonicera japonica was used as an “elixir” and is known as the foremost herb for clearing heat and removing toxins, earning the reputation of the “little deity of the pharmacy.” The main active components of Lonicera japonica extract include organic acids (primarily chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (primarily galuteolin), volatile oils, and triterpene saponins, with multiple functional activities including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, blood lipid-lowering, and blood glucose-lowering effects. It is widely used in pharmaceuticals, foods, and daily chemical products. Lonicera japonica extract products are available in various forms, including ratio extracts (4:1, 10:1, 20:1, etc.), chlorogenic acid extracts (content 5%–98%), galuteolin extracts, honeysuckle polysaccharides, and liquid extracts.

The main active components of Lonicera japonica extract are shown in the table below: Component Category

Chlorogenic Acid (CA) : Chlorogenic acid is the most abundant and most intensively studied active component of Lonicera japonica extract, and is the core indicator for quality evaluation of the herb. Its chemical formula is C16H18O9 with a molecular weight of 354.30. It is a depside formed by the condensation of caffeic acid and quinic acid, belonging to the phenylpropanoid class of compounds. Chlorogenic acid has multiple biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, and is an important material basis for the heat-clearing and detoxifying effects of Lonicera japonica. Chlorogenic acid is widely present in plants, with higher concentrations in Lonicera japonica and Eucommia. It is prone to isomerization during extraction and storage and is sensitive to light and heat, therefore strict protection from light and low-temperature conditions are required during processing and storage.