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. 2022 Jun 28;17(6):e0269915.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269915. eCollection 2022.

Metabolome analysis of genus Forsythia related constituents in Forsythia suspensa leaves and fruits using UPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS/MS technique

Lingdi Liu  1   2 , Yu Sun  3 , Chunxiu Wen  1   2 , Tao Jiang  1   2 , Wei Tian  1   2 , Xiaoliang Xie  1   2 , Xusheng Cui  4 , Ruike Lu  1   2 , Jiaxing Feng  1   2 , Aihong Jin  1   2 , Saiqun Wen  1   2 , Wei Wei  3
Affiliations

Metabolome analysis of genus Forsythia related constituents in Forsythia suspensa leaves and fruits using UPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS/MS technique

Lingdi Liu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Forsythia suspensa is a traditional Chinese herb. Its numerous metabolites have important roles, as they possessed a wide range of biological activities. This study explored the accumulations of F. suspensa metabolites by performing widely targeted metabolomic analysis. The metabolites were studied at four stages of fruit development. Metabolites in the fruits and leaves of F. suspensa during fruit development included phenolic acids, flavonoids, lipids, lignans and coumarins, amino acids and their derivatives, terpenes, organic acids, nucleotides and their derivatives, alkaloids, quinones, steroids, and tannins. Fourteen Forsythia related metabolites were detected. Their contents varied among the developmental stages. Statistically significant correlations were found between the levels of forsythoside B and 11-methyl-forsythide, and forsythialan B and phillygenin, in both leaves and fruits. According to the correlation analysis between metabolites, Forsythia related metabolites were divided into two classes and five subclasses. In total, 33 compounds presented significant correlations in both fruits and leaves, which indicated the potential relationship in the synthesis of Forsythia related metabolites. Forsythialan B and phillygenin were both negatively correlated with L-valine, while Z-6,7-epoxyligustilid was positively correlated with both compounds. The quality control compounds forsythiaside A and phillyrin were positively and negatively correlated with uracil, respectively. These metabolomics results may facilitate the biosynthesis of Forsythia related metabolites.

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Conflict of interest statement

X.C. and Shijiazhuang Yiling Yiling Pharmaceutical Co,Ltd did not develop products and apply patents. X.C. does not hold a dissenting opinion as being a co-author in this study. Each co-author has no potentially competing interests occurred within 5 years of conducting the research under consideration, or preparing the article for publication.This does not alter our adherence to Plos One policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Fold-changes of Forsythia related metabolites in leaves and fruits in four harvesting stages.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Correlation heatmap of the Forsythia related metabolites in leaves and fruits in each harvesting period.
The two heatmaps represent the correlations between the metabolites and the Forsythia related metabolites in fruits and leaves, respectively. Heatmap of fruits was listed on the left and that of leaves was listed on the right. The left column of the heatmap shows the classification of different types of metabolites. Each Forsythia related metabolite is represented by a single column, as follows: A: forsythiaside C, B: forsythoside B, C: rengyoside B, D: rengyoside A. E: forsythiaside B, F: forsythiaside J, G: forsythiaside A, H: isoforsythoside A, I: forsythialan B, J: forsythialan A, K: phillygenin, L: phillyrin, M: 11-methyl-forsythide, and N: forsythide. Red and blue color represent positive and negative correlations.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Correlation heatmap of the Forsythia related metabolites in leaves and fruits in each harvesting period ranking by correlation values of forsythiaside.
The two heatmaps represent the correlations between the metabolites and the Forsythia related metabolites in fruits and leaves, respectively. Heatmap of fruits was listed on the left, that of leaves was listed on the right. Each Forsythia related metabolites is represented by a single column, as follows: A: forsythiaside C, B: forsythoside B, C: rengyoside B, D: rengyoside A. E: forsythiaside B, F: forsythiaside J, G: forsythiaside A, H: isoforsythoside A, I: forsythialan B, J: forsythialan A, K: phillygenin, L: phillyrin, M: 11-methyl-forsythide, and N forsythide. Red and blue color denote positive and negative correlations.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Results of cluster analysis of the Forsythia related metabolites in leaves and fruits in each harvesting period.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Molecular structures of Forsythia related metabolites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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