Comparative Metabolomic Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Different Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) Based on UPLC-ESI-MS/MS

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ramulus mori (Sangzhi) is used to lower blood sugar and treat diseases such as diabetes, and its therapeutic effects are attributed to an abundance of bioactive compounds. This study employed a comparative analysis of Ramulus mori (Sangzhi) from three geographical regions within China. The samples included Morus atropurpurea Roxb from Guangdong (GDS), Morus australis Poir from Jiangsu (JS), and Morus nigra Linn, which is native to Xinjiang (XJYS). The study discovered significant differences in total polyphenol and flavonoid content among various Ramulus mori (Sangzhi), with those from XJYS showing the highest levels. Utilizing UPLC-ESI-MS/MS technology, a total of 128 phenolic metabolites were identified, from which 17 differential metabolites were screened. In Comparison to GDS, JS, and XJYS exhibited 12 and 10 different metabolites, respectively, with 8 differential metabolites observed between JS and XJYS. Furthermore, XJYS exhibited a higher polyphenol and flavonoid content than the other two varieties. Additionally, some of the upregulated differential metabolites have been confirmed to possess a variety of pharmacological effects and health benefits. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis linked these to flavonoid biosynthesis, and qRT-PCR confirmed corresponding gene expression patterns. These findings provided a theoretical basis for the use of Ramulus mori (Sangzhi) in the pharmaceutical and food industries.