Metabolomics analysis reveals the differences between Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd

Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. are two varieties of Bupleuri radix in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020. Clinical efficacy of the two bupleurum species is different. Detailed comparisons of metabolites between the two varieties and different tissues are not available. In order to analyze the difference of metabolites, we used LC-MS and GC-MS to detect the root, stem, leaf and flower of two varieties, and detected 1818 metabolites in 25 classes. We performed statistical analysis of metabolites. Differential metabolites were screened by Fold Change and VIP values of OPLS-DA model and significant differences were found among different groups. The active components triterpenoid saponins in BcR were more than BsR. Other pharmacological substances were significantly different. By KEGG annotation and enrichment analysis, we found that the differential metabolites of the aboveground part mainly concentrated in monoterpenoids biosynthesis, while the differential metabolites of the root mainly concentrated in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis. Differences in metabolic networks may indirectly affect the metabolic profile of Bc and Bs, leading to differences in clinical efficacy. Our study maybe provide reference for evaluating the quality of medicinal materials, developing other medicinal parts and guiding the clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine.