Comprehensive Analysis of Secondary Metabolites in the Extracts from Different Lily Bulbs and Their Antioxidant Ability

Abstract

The genus Lilium contains more than 100 wild species and numerous hybrid varieties. Some species of them have been used as medicine and food since ancient times. However, the research on the active components and the medical properties of lilies has only focused on a few species. In this study, the total phenolic acid content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of 22 representative lilies were systematically investigated. The results showed that the TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity were highly variable among different lilies, but they were significantly positively correlated. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that L. henryi and L. regale were arranged in one group characterized by the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant capacity, followed by Oriental hybrids and Trumpet and Oriental hybrids. The traditional edible and medicinal lilies were clustered in low TPC, TFC and antioxidant capacity group. A total of 577 secondary metabolites, including 201 flavonoids, 153 phenolic acids, were identified in the five species with great differences in antioxidant capacity by extensive targeted metabonomics. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) analysis reviewed that the DAMs were mainly enriched in secondary metabolic pathways such as isoflavonoid, folate, flavonoid, flavone, flavonol, phenylpropanoid, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and so on. Correlation analysis identified that 64 metabolites were significantly positively correlated with antioxidant capacity (r ≥ 0.9 and p < 0.0001). These results suggested that the genus Lilium has great biodiversity in bioactive components. The data obtained greatly expand our knowledge of the bioactive constituents of Lilium spp. Additionally, it also highlights the potential application of Lilium plants as antioxidants, functional ingredients, cosmetic products and nutraceuticals.

Potential Applications of Lilium Plants in Cosmetics: A Comprehensive Review Based on Research Papers and Patents

“…In fact, many lilies are used as food and in medicine, worldwide. It has been reported that more than 30 Lilium species have long been consumed as food or used for disease treatment in different countries because of their strong antioxidant and UV-blocking ability [ 12 , 25 , 35 ]. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), L. lancifolium Thunb., Lilium brownii F. E. Brown var.…”

“…Studies have suggested that phenols are one of the most abundant bioactive components in lilies [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in lilies.…”

“…Phenolic acids and flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in lilies. In our previous study, 153 phenolic acids and 201 flavonoids were detected from different lilies, accounting for more than half of the total number of detected secondary metabolites [ 12 ]. Table 1 presents the total phenolic acid content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in different lily materials, from which we can see clearly that TPC and TFC vary greatly among different Lilium bulbs, even more than 10 times ( Table 1 ).…”

“…The genus Lilium belongs to the family Liliaceae, which is one of the major plant families used in cosmetic formulations for skin care [ 8 ]. Many studies have shown that Lilium is rich in amino acids; polysaccharides; and bioactive components such as phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins, which are important sources of natural products [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. These compounds have proven to exert numerous health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory [ 14 ], antitumor [ 15 ], hypoglycemic [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], and antidepressant [ 19 ] effects, as well as ultraviolet (UV) absorption, free radical scavenging, carcinogenesis inhibition, wrinkling, and other skin care effects [ 4 , 5 , 20 ].…”

“…have good UV absorption abilities because they contain aromatic rings [ 22 ]. Our previous studies showed that both phenolic acids and flavonoids are abundant in the lily bulbs of different genetic backgrounds [ 12 ]. Moreover, phenolic hydroxyl groups have a strong antioxidant capacity [ 23 ].…”