Integrative metabolomics and molecular networking reveal the progressive metabolic continuum of resin formation in Dracaena cochinchinensis wood.

INTRODUCTION

The resinification of Dracaena cochinchinensis wood represents a sophisticated physiological reprogramming triggered by environmental stress, culminating in the production of the high-value "dragon's blood" resin.

METHODS

In this study, we systematically characterized the chemical space of three representative wood morphotypes-hollow cork cambium (P), whole-body resin-containing (MZ), and resin-secreting aggregated (LZ)-to decipher the molecular mechanisms underpinning resinogenesis within the xylem matrix. Integrating UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS with Feature-Based Molecular Networking (FBMN), we overcame annotation bottlenecks inherent in complex woody tissues and successfully annotated 299 specialized metabolites, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, steroids, and lipids.

RESULTS

Multivariate statistical analysis revealed significant metabolic shifts across these wood morphotypes, reflecting distinct biological strategies: the P form prioritized phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (e.g., sinapyl alcohol and coniferaldehyde) for structural barrier reinforcement of the wood cell walls; the MZ morphotype accumulated steroids and fatty acids to maintain membrane integrity during chronic adaptation; and the LZ morphotype exhibited a defensive burst of flavonoids and terpenoids, typical of acute stress responses.

DISCUSSION: Collectively, these findings support a putative "progressive metabolic continuum" model (P→MZ→LZ), illustrating a hypothesized metabolic gradient and a dynamic shift in resource allocation from physical repair to chronic adaptation and finally to acute chemical defense. This study provides a comprehensive phytochemical framework for understanding specialized metabolite mobilization in resinous wood and establishes an efficient metabolomic workflow for the quality evaluation and sustainable utilization of woody medicinal resources.