Lonicerae Japonicae Flos as a Dietary Natural Product: Bioactive Constituents, Gut Health Modulation, and Therapeutic Potential in Ulcerative Colitis and Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF), a traditional Chinese herb with applications in both medicine and nutrition, has emerged as a promising functional food ingredient owing to its diverse bioactive constituents and associated health‐promoting properties. This review systematically describes its botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities, with particular emphasis on the roles of its principal constituents in ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer and their implications for dietary interventions. LJF is abundant in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which exert pronounced anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects through the modulation of key signaling cascades, including the NF‐κB and MAPK pathways, thereby attenuating oxidative stress, suppressing proinflammatory mediators, and preserving intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota homeostasis. Moreover, these constituents exhibit multiple effects against colorectal cancer, including the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and suppression of angiogenesis and metastatic progression via the regulation of oncogenic signaling networks. Nevertheless, the broader application of LJF remains constrained by chemical complexity, insufficient mechanistic elucidation, and a paucity of robust clinical evidence. Future investigations integrating multiomics strategies, advanced food processing and delivery systems, and rigorously designed clinical studies are warranted to increase its translational potential in intestinal health management.