Differences in Chemical Components and Antioxidant Ability Analysis of Pseudostellaria heterophylla from Multiple Origins

Taizishen is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried tuberous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. This study investigated the compositional variation of Taizishen from main producing (MP) and non-main producing (NP) areas across five Chinese provinces. Analysis of total saponins, flavonoids, and heterophyllin B showed the highest contents in Jurong samples, followed by Zherong. Untargeted metabolomics identified 651 metabolites in all samples. Principal component analysis revealed a distinct metabolic profile for the sample from Zherong, which differed significantly from other MP areas, showing 32 consistently upregulated (e.g., amino acids, terpenes) and 25 downregulated metabolites (e.g., lipids, alkaloids). Notably, key differential metabolites such as fraxetin and ethyl caffeate were enriched in Zherong samples. The number of differential metabolites between MP and NP areas varied by province. Antioxidant activity also varied regionally, being highest in the sample from Jurong and weakest in the sample from Duyun. Correlation analysis indicated this activity was not linked solely to flavonoid or saponin content, suggesting a synergistic effect of multiple components. In addition, Zherong samples exhibited unique accumulation patterns for amino acids, sugars, and lipids. The significant metabolic and bioactivity variations highlight the need for a comprehensive, metabolomics-informed quality evaluation system for Taizishen.