Molecular networking-based discovery of components with antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in...

Arctium lappa L. (burdock) is widely consumed as a vegetable in Asia and Europe. However, the bioactive constituents of burdock roots have not been systematically studied. This study aims to establish an effective strategy to rapidly discover the bioactive components. Feature-Based Molecular Networking (FBMN) with a bioactivity-guided screening approach was used to explore bioactive phytochemicals from burdock roots for the first time. Consequently, 39 compounds were detected, 30 of which were found in burdock roots for the first time. A series of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (CQAs) with radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects were isolated, among which five CQAs had significant radical scavenging activity and two CQAs had significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Further experiments revealed that both CQAs exhibited reversible mixed-type inhibition against α-glucosidase. The characterized phytochemicals may promote the development of functional products derived from burdock roots.