To investigate the differences in chemical composition between ethanol extracts from Lonicera japonica flos (EELF) and L. japonica leaves (EELL) and their potential anti-aging components and mechanisms.

The chemical compositions of EELF and EELL were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS). The effect of feeding Escherichia coli OP50 culture containing different concentrations of EELF or EELL on the life span, mobility, reproductive capacity and oxidant stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans was investigated. The potential anti-aging mechanism of EELF and EELL was explored through network pharmacology.

A total of 122 compounds were identified in EELF and EELL, including 35 organic acids, 27 flavonoids, 37 iridoid compounds and 23 other compounds. The chemical compositions of EELF and EELL were roughly the same, and the contents of chlorogenic acid and total phenolic acid were also roughly same. The contents of total flavonoids, isochlorogenic acid C and luteolin in EELL were significantly higher than those in EELF, while the content of isochlorogenic acid A was significantly lower than that in EELF. EELF and EELL at all concentrations improved oxidative and thermal stress resistance, prolonged the life span, enhanced the motility and reproductive capacity of the nematode, and decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipofuscin. A total of 16 potential bioactive components from EELF and EELL and 59 potential anti-aging targets for them were identified, and the core targets were signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), steroid receptor coactivator (SRC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (CASP3), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The antiaging effect could be exerted by suppressing cancer, reducing lipid and alleviating atherosclerosis through the regulation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway.

EELF and EELL have similar chemical compositions, exert similar anti-aging effects, and have multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics, which provides a reference for their deep development and utilization.

A novel processing analytical framework of Chinese Material Medica (CMM) includes breeding process analysis, planting process analysis, producing process analysis and manufacture process analysis. In order to study this framework, we used quality control of honeysuckle flower (Lonicerae japonicae Flos) including diploid and tetraploid Lonicera japonica, and wild honeysuckle flower (Lonicerae Flos) including Lonicerae hypoglauca, Lonicerae confusa, Lonicerae fulvotomentosa and Lonicerae macranthoides as an example.

A total of 360 samples were analyzed from three variables including species, growing areas, and optimization of processing methods. For quantitative analysis, chlorogenic acid (CA), isochlorogenic acid A (3, 5-DCA), and isochlorogenic acid C (4, 5-DCA) were measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The three organic acids contents are higher in wild honeysuckle flower than honeysuckle flower; L. japonica (tetraploid) is higher than L. japonica (diploid). Modern processing methods (kill-enzyme torrefaction and fixing machine drying) are popular in growing areas and are superior to traditional methods (sun and shade drying).

Novel process analysis concepts in processing analytical technology (PAT) enriched the Chinese Material Medica contents.