Biosynthetic studies through feeding experiments in Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy roots

Key message This work showed the feeding experiments using 13C-precursors in order to clarify the biosynthetic route of bioactive compounds from Eclipta prostata (L.) L. hairy roots. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is a medicinal plant of the Asteraceae family, and several extracts and isolated compounds of E. prostrata (L.) L. showed a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hair growth promoting activities, and more recently against covid-19. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy roots produce wedelolactone (WL), demethylwedelolactone (DWL) and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA), and there is no data in literature regarding biosynthetic pathways are involved. To verify the biosynthetic route, feeding experiments were carried out using sodium [2-C-13]acetate, [3-C-13]dl-phenylalanine, and C-13-labeled compounds (WL, DWL and 3,5-diCQA) were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS). Analysis showed that the metabolic pathways operative of coumestans (WL and DWL) are derived from acetate and shikimate pathways, while that the phenylpropanoid (3,5-diCQA) biosynthesis is exclusively from shikimate pathway.

Automated summary

This study investigated the biosynthetic route of bioactive compounds from Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy roots using feeding experiments with labeled precursors. The findings suggest that coumestans are derived from acetate and shikimate pathways, while phenylpropanoid biosynthesis is exclusively from the shikimate pathway.