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

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.