Prediction of the Adult T-Cell Leukemia Inhibitory Activity of Blueberry Leaves/Stems Using Direct-Injection Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics

Although Vaccinium virgatum Aiton leaves and stems inhibit adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells, leaves and stems can differ between individual plants and by time and location. In this study, leaf and stem components were profiled in the same individual plant using direct-injection electron ionization-mass spectrometry (DI-EI-MS) metabolomics, with the aims of analyzing the anti-ATL activity, and quantifying proanthocyanidins (PACs). Leaves, stems, and leaf/stem mixtures showed distinct and characteristic spectra. Anti-ATL activity was stronger in stems than leaves, and the PAC content was higher in stems than leaves. These data were subjected to bivariate analysis to identify the factor (m/z) responsible for the inhibitory effect of ATL based on the highest coefficient of determination (R-2). The results of this DI-EI-MS metabolomics analysis suggest that among PACs contained in V. virgatum stems and leaves, the fragment ion at m/z 149 contributes significantly to anti-ATL activity.

Automated summary

This study used DI-EI-MS metabolomics analysis and found that the stem of Vaccinium virgatum has a stronger inhibitory effect on ATL and higher PACs content compared to leaves. Bivariate analysis identified the fragment ion at m/z 149 as significantly contributing to the anti-ATL activity.