In order to enhance the utility of medicinal plants, this research focused on previously unexplored parts: the seedlings of A. membranaceus and the leaves of I. japonica. Employing compound identification workflow in an MS-based metabolomic approach, ...
In order to enhance the utility of medicinal plants, this research focused on previously unexplored parts: the seedlings of A. membranaceus and the leaves of I. japonica. Employing compound identification workflow in an MS-based metabolomic approach, this study aims to provide their chemical profile by identifying and analyzing major constituents with LC-MS. Initially, an LC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the major constituents of A. membranaceus seedlings and I. japonica leaves. Next, compounds were annotated by matching the MS/MS spectrum with those in public databases, leading to the discovery of compounds not previously reported in public databases. Then, the isolation and structure elucidation of the major constituents from A. membranaceus seedlings and I. japonica leaves was carried out to provide accurate structural information. As a result, from A. membranaceus seedlings, 28 compounds were identified, including eight new flavonol glycosides and a new natural flavonol glycoside: astraflavonols A–H (1–3, 7–10, and 12) and astraflavnol G (11). Among them, sesquiterpene-acylated flavonol glycosides were confirmed as compounds specific to A. membranaceus seeds and seedlings. In I. japonica leaves, 22 compounds were identified, including three new caffeoyl glucaric acids: inulajaponic acids A– C (29, 30, and 32). Among these, the caffeoylglucaric acid derivatives were reported for the first time in I. japonica leaves. Subsequently, the biological activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated through ROS inhibition activity assays. Notably, the astraflavonols C (3) and D (7) from A. membranaceus seedlings and the caffeoyl glucaric acid derivatives from I. japonica leaves exhibited antioxidant activities, suggesting their potential applications. In conclusion, this study accurately identified the chemical constituents from non- traditionally used parts of medicinal plants by applying integrated compound identification methods, enhancing their medicinal utility.