Spatial Metabolomic Profiling of Pinelliae Rhizoma from Different Leaf Types Using Matrix-Assisted Laser...

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Metabolomics
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR) is a vital herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine with diverse pharmacological activities.
• Pinellia ternata exhibits leaf morphological variations (peach, bamboo, willow), but rhizome chemical differences are unknown.
• Understanding these chemical variations is crucial for optimizing PR's therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in situ chemical composition and spatial distribution of metabolites in Pinelliae Rhizoma based on leaf morphology.
• To identify potential biomarkers differentiating PR rhizomes from distinct Pinellia ternata leaf types.
• To elucidate the biochemical basis for specialized metabolite accumulation in medicinal plants.

Main Methods:

• Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) for in situ metabolite identification and spatial profiling.
• Analysis of 35 metabolites including alkaloids, organic acids, amino acids, flavonoids, sterols, and anthraquinones.
• Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) for differentiating rhizome samples based on leaf morphology.

Main Results:

• Distinct spatial distribution patterns of secondary metabolites were observed within PR rhizome tissues corresponding to different leaf types.
• MALDI-MSI successfully profiled 35 metabolites, revealing significant biochemical variations.
• OPLS-DA effectively discriminated between rhizomes of varying leaf morphologies.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first comprehensive metabolic profiling of PR based on leaf phenotypes using MALDI-MSI.
• Five potential differential biomarkers (methylophiopogonanone B, inosine, cytidine, adenine, leucine/isoleucine) were identified.
• The findings enhance understanding of PR's chemical diversity and therapeutic potential, linking metabolite localization to plant morphology.