Work

Metabolomics-driven rapid enrichment of candidate acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory metabolites from Clinacanthus nutans using a short-cycle callus culture platform

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Clinacanthus nutans ( C. nutans ) is an important botanical resource that substantially contributes to the herbal medicine industry in Southeast Asia. Although C. nutans is recognized for its potent antioxidant capacity and neuroprotective phenolamides, the commercial exploitation of its high-value metabolites is currently hindered by a lack of systematic production platforms and detailed chemical characterizations. To overcome field-grown limitations, this study established a highly efficient in vitro platform for C. nutans . Using leaf explants, significant metabolic reprogramming was observed within a short cycle following treatment with the plant growth regulators 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzyladenine. Feruloylagmatine was identified as a candidate bioactive metabolite in preliminary functional screenings using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays, resulting in IC 50 values of 34.71 and 51.84 µM, respectively. The molecular docking results provided a structural rationale for these observations, indicating favorable interaction energies for feruloylagmatine. In addition, pipecolinic acid and guanosine were detected, and their inhibitory effects were evaluated. A quantitative analysis confirmed a 20-fold enrichment of feruloylagmatine (21.67 ± 0.32 μg·mg⁻¹), while maintaining stable levels of pipecolinic acid and guanosine relative to field plants. The in vitro approach presented in this study provides a foundational framework for developing standardized methods for producing potential neuroprotective-related ingredients for the functional food and nutraceutical industries. Moreover, this platform holds the potential to support a consistent supply of premium botanical raw materials to maximize the industrial viability and scalability of C. nutans for the global nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.123489