Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) (Forsythia suspensa)

Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) is not consumed as a food for macronutrient value but is valued for its rich bioactive compound profile. Key constituents include: **Lignans** – Phillyrin (forsythin, approximately 1.5–5.0% in dried fruit), phillygenin (the aglycone of phillyrin), and pinoresinol (~0.1–0.5%), which are considered the principal active compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. **Phenylethanol glycosides** – Forsythoside A (approximately 0.5–2.5% in dried fruit), forsythoside B, forsythoside C, and acteoside (verbascoside), which contribute significant antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity. **Flavonoids** – Rutin (~0.2–0.8%), quercetin, and hesperidin, contributing to antioxidant and capillary-protective effects. **Volatile oils** – Approximately 0.8–3.0% including α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, and linalool, which contribute to mild antimicrobial and aromatic properties. **Triterpenoids** – Oleanolic acid (~0.1–0.4%) and betulinic acid, with hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. **Organic acids** – Caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid, providing additional antioxidant capacity. **Minerals (trace)** – Contains small amounts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese, though these are not present in pharmacologically significant quantities from typical decoction doses. **Vitamins** – Trace amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E equivalents are present, though not a primary source. **Fiber/Protein** – The crude herb contains some dietary fiber (~10–15% of dry weight) and protein (~5–8%), but these are not nutritionally relevant at typical medicinal doses (6–15 g dried herb per decoction). **Bioavailability notes** – Phillyrin is hydrolyzed in the gut to phillygenin, which is the bioavailable active form; forsythoside A has moderate oral bioavailability but undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Decoction (water extraction) improves solubility and release of glycosides and phenolic compounds compared to raw herb ingestion. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) requires a minimum of 0.15% forsythoside A and 0.25% phillyrin in qualified Forsythia suspensa fruit.