10/28/2019 / By Melissa Smith
Gastritis and peptic ulcer are gastrointestinal problems that often cause pain and discomfort. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food suggests using a compound in Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) to help with these conditions.
For the study, a team of researchers from South Korea looked at the effects of BST-104, a water extract of Japanese honeysuckle, on gastritis and peptic ulcer. To do so, they induced gastritis and gastric ulcer in rats. They then treated each animal model with either BST-104, chlorogenic acid, rebamipide (positive control), or a placebo. Afterward, they measured the animals’ gastric lesion sizes, gastric mucus statuses, proinflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress.
In the acetic acid-induced ulcer model, oral administration of BST-104 at 50, 100, or 200?mg/kg significantly reduced gastric lesions by 38 percent, 43 percent, and 55 percent, respectively, compared with placebo controls. Treatment with BST-104 also significantly increased gastric mucous contents, which was accompanied by higher levels of hexosamine, sialic acid, and prostaglandin E2 in gastric mucus.
In addition, BST-104 treatment increased antioxidant activities, as levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio, and lower malondialdehyde increased. BST-104 also greatly reduced the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes.
Based on these findings, BST-104 and its active component, chlorogenic acid, exhibited protective effects against gastritis and peptic ulcers. The research team said that Japanese honeysuckle’s gastroprotective effects might be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Get all your favorite Health Ranger Store featured partner products at up to 51% OFF during our Black Friday and Cyber Monday Featured Partners Sales Event, while supplies last. Our limited-time event begins TONIGHT, Nov. 28 at 10 pm CST through Nov. 29 at midnight. See a preview of all the great deals at this link.
Japanese honeysuckle is a vine native to East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Japan. This herb, as well as its derivatives like honeysuckle tea and honeysuckle oil, are used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating various ailments. Here are some of the health benefits Japanese honeysuckle offers.
Aside from medicinal uses, honeysuckle is also used for cooking. Its flowers are used as a vegetable or made into syrup and puddings. They can also be added to fruit salads and blended into drinks. Its buds and leaves are made into herbal teas. (Related: Honeysuckle: A sweet-scented remedy that calms inflammation, infection and contagious illness.)
Read more articles about other herbal medicines like the Japanese honeysuckle at Herbs.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: alternative medicine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, BST-104, disease treatments, gastritis, gastrointestinal health, herbal medicine, Japanese honeysuckle, natural medicine, peptic ulcer, phytonutrients, remedies, research