In vitro, both the flower and vine inhibited many kinds of pathogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, and Salmonella paratyphi; they were also effective against Diplococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A wider antibacterial spectrum was obtained when the herb was used in combination with the fructus F. suspensa.

Used with penicillin, it potentiated the action of the latter agent against the drug resistant Staphylococus aureus, probably by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial proteins. Chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid were thought to be the chief active priniciples of this herb, but luteolin was also shown to have strong antibacterial action. In vitro, the aqueous extract exhibited various degrees of inhibitory effect against skin fungi such as Microsporum ferrugineum and Nocardia asteroides.

In the monolayer primary culture of the epithelial cells of human embryonic kidney, Flos L. japonica decoction inhibited the influenza virus, ECHO virus, and herpes virus. The aqueous extract of the vine was also shown to delay cellular pathological changes due to ECHO virus.

In vitro, decoction of Flos L. japonica and its vine also inhibited leptospirae. Intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection of a preparation from the vine and the aerial part of Senecio scandens was effective in treating leptospirosis in rabbits and preventing this disease in guinea pigs.

Intraperitoneal injection of Flos L. japonica extract at 0.25g/kg to rats inhibited carrageenin-induced paw swelling. Another report claimed that at 30-40g/kg, the Flos L. japonica injection abated paw swelling induced by egg white. Intraperitoneal injection of the Flos L. japonica extract to rats at 8g/kg twice daily for 6 days also achieved antiexudative and antihyperplastic effects on croton oil-induced granuloma. Early reports claimed that Flos L. japonica had a significant antipyretic action.

The diluted decoction of Flos L. japonica (1:1280) was still able to promote leukocytic phagocytosis. Intraperitoneal injection of the herb to mice also markedly enhanced the phagocytic activity of the inflammatory cells.

Flos L. japonica at 0.5 g/kg PO decreased the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and the plasma cholesterol level. In vitro experiments showed that Flos L. japonica conjugated with cholesterol.

In vitro screening of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Flos L. japonica proved that they possessed significant cytotoxic activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.

A mild prophylactic effect was achieved against experimental gastric ulcer in rats given the herb extract orally.

Intragastric administration of the aqueous extract of the herb to rabbits and dogs produced no significant toxic effects, nor any alterations in the respiration, blood picture, and urine output. The LD50 of this extract was determined to be 53g/kg SC in mice.

Flos L. japonica is therapeutically effective in upper respiratory tract infections, lobar pneumonia, lung abscess, bacillary dysentery, acute mastitis, acute conjunctivitis, furuncle, carbuncle, pustules and erysipelas. Decoction of 6-15g of the flowers or 15-100 g of the vines is commonly prescribed to be taken orally daily.

The Flos L. japonica injection used intramuscularly in 55 cases of acute tonsillitis afforded good therapeutic effects in lowering body onload="highlight();" temperature and reducing inflammatory reaction and exudation. Lonicera-Forsythia Formula was also quite effective for common cold at the early stage. The intramuscular dose of the Flos L. japonica injection given to 12 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with bronchitis and 25 cases of pneumonia improved or relieved fever, chest pain, cough, expectoration, and dyspnea within a few days.

The vines are useful for the amelioration of the symptoms and signs of infectious hepatitis and for the recovery of the hepatic function. Twenty-two cases were treated with the vine decoction at 60 g twice daily, 15 days as a therapeutic course; 12 were cured and 6 improved.

In 30 cases of hyperlipidemia treated with Flos L. japonica by intravenous injection, no significant lowering of the serum cholesterol level was achieved. However, serum triglyceride was markedly decreased especially when the herb was also used orally concomitantly. Clinical improvement in the coronary blood supply was also observed concurrent with the reduction in blood lipids. This might be due to dilation of the coronary vessels caused by luteolin.

Decoction of fresh Flos L. japonica given orally was effective for the treatment of urticaria. The fluidextract of the herb or the powders of the herb and the root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis applied intravaginally with cotton balls were reported to be effective in the treatment of cervical erosion.

Water extracts of L. japonica showed a bacteriostatic effect on Staphylococcus albus ranked in the order leaf 2 flower bud > root > stem extract. Leaf extract also had a bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus. Control of influenza virus infection in mice by chlorogenic acid has been demonstrated.

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998