UPLC-QTOF/MS-based profiling of major metabolites associated with the inhibition of adipocyte lipid accumulation in different parts and cultivars of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge

Abstract

This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of extracts from different parts of Crataegus pinnatifida, including fruit, leaf, twig, and root, on lipid accumulation in adipocytes and characterized their major metabolites using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.Lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes was assessed by Oil Red O staining.Among the four extracts, the root extract showed the strongest inhibition of intracellular lipid accumulation.Metabolite profiling tentatively identified 15 compounds based on accurate mass measurements and MS/MS fragmentation patterns, revealing distinct chemical profiles among plant parts.Fruits were characterized mainly by flavonoids and procyanidins, whereas leaves and twigs contained abundant C-glycosylflavonoids and triterpenoids.The root extract exhibited a unique profile dominated by three putative phenyl-like compounds, designated compounds 9, 10, and 12, which were not detected in the other parts.Cultivar-dependent variation was further examined among Solwon No. 1 (CPR-SW), Rubysansa (CPR-RU), Daehongsansa (CPR-DH), and a native landrace (CPR-N).Most part-specific marker compounds, including the three root-specific compounds, showed the highest MS responses in CPR-N, whereas CPR-RU displayed a distinct plant-part-dependent distribution pattern.Metabolite composition therefore varied according to both plant part and cultivar.Notably, the abundances of compounds 9, 10, and 12 were significantly and positively correlated with inhibition of lipid accumulation across plant parts (p <0.05).These findings suggest that C. pinnatifida root, particularly CPR-N root, may be a promising material for further investigation of constituents associated with lipid accumulation inhibition, although cultivar-level activity comparisons and bioassay-guided isolation are required for validation.