[Dead heart of pith-decayed Scutellariae Radix: a study based on multi-omics]

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Context:

• Dead heart is a key characteristic of pith-decayed Scutellariae Radix.
• Understanding this trait is crucial for quality control and production.
• Multi-omics approaches offer a comprehensive view of biological processes.

Purpose:

• To elucidate the scientific basis of the "dead heart" trait in Scutellariae Radix.
• To compare chemical composition and gene expression between healthy and decayed tissues.
• To identify key metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms involved.

Summary:

• Metabolomics and transcriptomics revealed significant differences in flavonoid glycosides and aglycones between phloem, outer xylem, and near-dead xylem.
• Near-dead xylem exhibited lower flavonoid glycosides (e.g., baicalin) and higher aglycones (e.g., wogonin).
• Differentially expressed genes were enriched in phenylpropanoid metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, ABC transporter, and MAPK signaling pathways.

Impact:

• This study provides a detailed understanding of the material basis of dead heart in Scutellariae Radix.
• Identified increased flavonoid aglycones and up-regulated gene expression in hydrolysis, apoptosis, and cork development pathways.
• Offers a theoretical foundation for optimizing the high-quality production of Scutellariae Radix.