The extract from Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) contains many secondary metabolites (flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids), widely reported for their high medicinal value. In order to know the number and type of flavonoids and the regulating mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis during the growth and development of SZS, we identified and analyzed the flavonoid metabolites and genes in SZS using metabolomic and transcriptomic. A total of 13,232 differentially expressed genes and 83 flavonoid metabolites were identified at three different growth and development stages (T1, T2, and T3) of SZS. The main flavonoid metabolic components of SZS were catechin, L-epicatechin, (–)-epigallocatechin, (+)-gallocatechin, spinosin and its derivatives. A total of 53 unigenes encoding 15 enzymes were identified as candidate genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in SZS. Among, PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, FLS, FNS, ANS, ANR, LAR, and UFGT genes were all downregulated in T3 than in T1. The expression levels of these genes influence the accumulation of flavonoids in SZS. Our results should provide valuable information for flavonoid metabolites and candidate genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis on SZS

Forsythiae Fructus, the fruit of Forsythia suspense is a traditional Chinese hebal medicine that has the antiviral and antioxidant effects in China. Modern analytical chemistry studies showed that the extracts of Forsythiae Fructus contain many bioactive components, such as flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, which can be used to anti-inflammatory and treat toxicity, tonsillitis, ulcers, pharyngitis and acute nephritis. In order to study the types and quantities of metabolites in Forsythiae Fructus, we isolated, identified and analysed metabolites between two varieties of Forsythiae Fructus using UPLC/ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS. The results showed that a total of 407 metabolites were identified in Forsythiae Fructus using UPLC/ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS, including 21 terpenoids, 68 phenolic acids, 63 flavonoids, 43 amino acids and derivatives, 22 alkaloids, 55 lipids, 24 lignans and coumarins, 31 nucleotides and derivatives, 29 organic acids, and 51 other metabolites. Among, lignans and coumarins, terpenoids, organic acids, lipids, and phenolic acids were rich in Forsythiae Fructus, which accounted for more than 60% of the total metabolite content. Differential metabolite analysis revealed that 80 metabolites differed significantly between the two types of Forsythiae Fructus. Our results greatly enrich the Forsythiae Fructus phytochemical composition database and provide valuable information for further study of the metabolites of Forsythiae Fructus.

SNP Molecular Markers Development and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Forsythia suspensa Based on SLAF-seq Technology

Background: Salt-tolerant rhizosphere microorganisms with multiple plant growth–promoting (PGP) traits represent cost-effective biological inoculants for enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress. Results: In this study, a salt-tolerant fungal strain, SZ01, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Clematis chinensis using PDA medium supplemented with 1% NaCl and identified as Trichoderma compactum based on morphological and molecular analyses. SZ01 tolerated NaCl concentrations up to 9%. Functional characterization revealed that SZ01 exhibited potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation potential, and siderophore production, although it lacked the ability to solubilize organic or inorganic phosphorus. Pot experiments demonstrated that under salt stress, inoculation with SZ01 spore suspension significantly increased the fresh and dry weights of underground tissues, reduced Malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and enhanced soluble sugar and proline contents compared with non-inoculated controls, indicating effective mitigation of salt-induced physiological damage. Transcriptomic analysis of C. chinensis leaves further showed that SZ01 treatment triggered extensive transcriptional reprogramming, particularly through modulation of MAPK and metabolic pathways, thereby optimizing stress-responsive gene expression. Secondary metabolite profiling of SZ01 under salt stress revealed the accumulation of chlorine-containing molecules potentially contributing to plant growth promotion. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of SZ01 as a microbial inoculant to promote plant growth and productivity in saline–alkaline environments, with implications for both medicinal and agricultural crop production.