Analysis of the chemical composition of the needles of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don and its influence on endogenous metabolites by mass spectrometry imaging

This study developed a method based on mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology, initially addressing the chemical spatial heterogeneity of the needles of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don (NCD). Meanwhile, based on the theory of meridians, the spatial metabolomics of NCD in cardiac tissue was studied. We first established phytochemical profiles of NCD and achieved in situ visualization of metabolite distribution. Comparative analysis across geographic origins and Pinaceae species revealed environmental modulation of secondary metabolism. Importantly, traditional meridian theory reported that NCD had the property of meridian tropism in the heart where it played a role in cardio protection. Spatial metabolomics analysis revealed that several mechanisms play an important role in cardioprotection, including the reactivation of TCA cycle energetics, the enhancement of glutathione-mediated antioxidant defenses, and the localized regulation of spermine metabolism. We conducted a reasoned regions of interest (ROI) analysis based on the physiological structure of the heart, and in combination with its own important physiological activities, providing a comprehensive study on spatial metabolomics. This “component identification-spatial imaging-meridian tropism analysis” framework systematically studied the characteristics of NCD from both in vivo and in vitro, providing a new idea for the research of natural products.