Illustrating the distribution and metabolic regulatory effects of nuciferine by mass spectrometry imaging and spatial metabolomics

Nuciferine has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations and natural edible resources. Most current studies have concentrated on its lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects, while relatively few have explored its impact on central nervous system disorders. To investigate the effects of nuciferine on the nervous system and its potential pharmacological mechanisms, we mapped the distribution of nuciferine and its key metabolites in brain microregions and major organs of mice using air-flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Nuciferine was found to be distributed throughout the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Additionally, nuciferine was detected in several peripheral organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen. We also identified the distribution of a major demethylated metabolite (M1), which correlated with the localization of the CYP1A2 enzyme. Metabolomic analysis revealed that nuciferine significantly alters purine metabolism, specifically increasing adenosine levels while decreasing xanthine and hypoxanthine. This metabolic shift suggests a potential enhancement of neuroinhibitory effects, contributing to nuciferine's sedative, hypnotic, and analgesic properties. These findings provide novel insights into the neuropharmacological mechanisms of nuciferine.