AUTHOR=Shen Jie , Li Panpan , Chu Hairong , Li Yong , Meng Xiangying , Li Zhenpeng , Dou Jiayao , Wang Wentao , Liu Chenyang , Xiao Peigen , He Chunnian , Yi Zhengjun 

TITLE=Pharmacophylogenetic insights into Scutellaria strigillosa Hemsl.: chloroplast genome and untargeted metabolomics, quantitative analysis and antibacterial analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1472204

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1472204

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Scutellaria strigillosa</italic> Hemsl., known for its traditional use in Chinese herbal medicine, is valued for heat-clearing and detoxifying, promoting diuresis, reducing swelling, alleviating pain, and preventing miscarriage. Despite its historical use, comprehensive studies on pharmacophylogenetic analysis, including genetic and chemical profiles and the antimicrobial activity of <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> are still lacking. Understanding these aspects is crucial for fully realizing its therapeutic potential and ensuring sustainable use. This study aims to elucidate these aspects through comparative genomics, metabolomics, and antimicrobial assays with <italic>Scutellaria baicalensis</italic> Georgi and <italic>Scutellaria barbata</italic> D. Don. The chloroplast genome of <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> was assembled, measuring 152,533 bp, and revealing a high degree of conservation, especially in the protein-coding regions, and identified four regions <italic>trnK(UUU)</italic>-<italic>rps16</italic>, <italic>trnN(GUU)</italic>-t<italic>rnR(ACG)</italic>, <italic>accD</italic>-<italic>psaI</italic>, <italic>psbE</italic>-<italic>petL</italic>) of variability that could serve as phylogenetic markers. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a closer genetic relationship of <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> with <italic>S. tuberifera</italic> and <italic>S. scordifolia</italic> than traditionally classified, suggesting a need for taxonomic reevaluation within the genus. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis in negative ion mode was used to explore the chemical diversity among these species, revealing distinct variations in their chemical compositions. <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> shared a closer chemical profile with <italic>S. barbata</italic>, aligning with phylogenetic findings. Metabolomic identification through Progenesis QI software resulted in the tentative identification of 112 metabolites, including a substantial number of flavonoids, diterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, and others. HPLC analysis further detailed the concentrations of 12 actives across the species, highlighting the variation in compound content. <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> shows antibacterial activity against <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> and <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic>, similar to <italic>S. baicalensis</italic> root extracts. This research enhances the understanding of the phylogenetic and phytochemical profiles and the antibacterial activity of <italic>S. strigillosa</italic>, offering new insights into its medicinal properties. The findings suggest a need for taxonomic reevaluation within the genus and underscore the potential antibacterial activity of <italic>S. strigillosa</italic> for therapeutic applications. Further studies are encouraged to explore its full medicinal potential and contribute to the sustainable development of <italic>Scutellaria</italic> species.</p>