# Comparison of metabolite differences and pharmacologically active constituents between Piper longum and Piper sarmentosum based on non-targeted metabolomics

## TL;DR

This study compares the metabolite profiles of two Piper plants to understand their medicinal differences and uses.

## Contribution

The study identifies differential metabolites and proposes biosynthesis pathways in Piper species using non-targeted metabolomics.

## Key findings

- 1,073 metabolites were identified across different tissues of Piper longum and Piper sarmentosum.
- Differential accumulated metabolites were enriched in phenylalanine metabolism, including alkaloid and flavonoid pathways.
- The study outlines the biosynthesis and tissue-specific accumulation of phenylpropanoid, alkaloid, and flavonoid compounds.

## Abstract

Piper longum and Piper sarmentosum are plants of the Piperaceae family, rich in secondary metabolites, with various medicinal and food values. They are highly similar in morphology, but differ in their medicinal parts and pharmacological effects. To investigate the differences in the medicinal effects between P. longum and P. sarmentosum, it is of great practical significance to study and compare the metabolites of the two species. In the present work, non-targeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to identify and measure metabolites in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and three developmental stages of fruit from P. longum and P. sarmentosum. 1,073 metabolites were identified, including 729 metabolites in positive ion mode and 344 metabolites in negative ion mode. We identified differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in different tissues between the two species, and found that the DAMs were enriched in phenylalanine metabolism, including the biogenesis pathway of alkaloid and flavonoid. Based on the structural formula of identified substances, we proposed the biosynthesis pathway of phenylpropanoid, alkaloid and flavonoid and profiled the accumulation of each component in different tissues from the two Piper species. This study compares the differences in metabolites between the two species of the Piper genus. It describes the diverse accumulation of medicinal components, providing an informative scientific basis for the efficient utilization and targeted development of two important medicinal and food crops of the Piper genus.