[Differential metabolites in Ardisiae Radix from different sources based on widely targeted metabolomics]

This study revealed the differences in metabolites and metabolic pathways among three botanical sources of Ardisiae Radix(Ardisia crenata, A. crenata var. bicolor, and A. crispa), and elucidated the material basis of Ardisiae Radix from different sources. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect the secondary metabolites of the three sources, and principal component analysis(PCA) together with orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was applied to screen differential metabolites and conduct enrichment analysis. A total of 504 secondary metabolites were identified, including 152 flavonoids, 163 phenolic acids, 59 alkaloids, 45 terpenoids, 45 lignans and coumarins, 11 quinones, 4 tannins, and 25 other compounds. The mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids were analyzed. Differential analysis showed that 143 metabolites differed significantly among the three sources. Key differential metabolites such as epigallocatechin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside, were highly expressed in A. crenata and A. crenata var. bicolor, mainly enriched in flavonoids, flavonols, and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways. In contrast, metabolites such as 1-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucose and methyl gallate were highly expressed in A. crispa, mainly enriched in bisphenol degradation pathways, showing marked differences from A. crenata and A. crenata var. bicolor. Based on widely targeted metabolomics, this study systematically revealed the composition and differences of metabolites in the three botanical sources of Ardisiae Radix. The results provide a theoretical foundation for quality differentiation and functional metabolite discovery, and offer a scientific basis for the precise selection of botanical sources in clinical applications of Ardisiae Radix as a traditional Chinese medicine material.