Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach in the isolation of bioactive natural products

Sci Rep. 2020 Jan 23;10(1):1051. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58046-y.

Abstract

Metabolomics is a powerful tool in the analysis and identification of metabolites responsible for biological properties. Regarding natural product chemistry, it constitutes a potential strategy to streamline the classic and laborious process of isolating natural products, which often involves the re-isolation and identification of known compounds. In this contribution, we establish a mass spectrometry-based metabolomics strategy to discover compounds with larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. We analyse the Brazilian plant Annona crassiflora using different platforms to annotate the active compounds in different extracts/fractions of various plant parts. The MetaboAnalyst and GNPS platforms, which consider LC-MS and LC-MS/MS data, respectively, were chosen to identify compounds that differentiate active and inactive samples. Bio-guided isolation was subsequently performed to confirm compound activity. Results proved the capacity of metabolomics to predict metabolite differences between active and inactive samples using LC-MS and LC-MS/MS data. Moreover, we discuss the limitations, possibilities, and strategies to have a broad view of vast data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Annona / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / analysis
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Insecticides / analysis
  • Insecticides / isolation & purification
  • Insecticides / pharmacology*
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Metabolomics / methods*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Secondary Metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Insecticides
  • Plant Extracts