In situ label-free visualization of orally dosed strictinin within mouse kidney by MALDI-MS imaging

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a powerful technique for visualizing the distribution of a wide range of biomolecules within tissue sections. However, methodology for visualizing a bioactive ellagitannin has not yet been established. This paper presents a novel in situ label-free MALDI-MSI technique for visualizing the distribution of strictinin, a bioactive ellagitannin found in green tea, within mammalian kidney after oral dosing. Among nine representative matrix candidates, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (1,5-DAN), harmane, and ferulic acid showed higher sensitivity to strictinin spotted onto a MALDI sample plate. Of these, 1,5-DAN enables visualization of a two-dimensional image of strictinin directly spotted on mouse kidney sections with the highest sensitivity. Furthermore, 1,5-DAN-based MALDI-MSI could detect the unique distribution of orally dosed strictinin within kidney sections. This in situ label-free imaging technique will contribute to the localization analysis of strictinin and its biological mechanisms.