Integrated morphological observation, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to investigate the effect of growth years on the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. is a medicinal plant in high clinical demand due to its pharmacological efficacy. However, research on its quality dynamics across different growth years remains limited, primarily focusing on transcriptomics, microbiome analysis, and photosynthetic capacity, with studies only extending to three-year-old plants.

Results

This study examines A. macrocephala over a broader growth span (1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years), integrating morphological, microstructural, metabolomic, spatial metabolite distribution, and transcriptomic analyses. Morphologically, rhizome weight and length increased with age, and the characteristic "Hejing" structure became more pronounced. Microstructural analysis revealed progressively developed xylem. Metabolomic pro

SUBMITTER: Cui X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12257821 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature