Tissue-specific partitioning of flavonoids and phenolic acids coordinates bioactivities in Ormosia henryi Prain

The accumulation patterns of bioactive compounds in Ormosia henryi Prain, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, remain poorly understood, limiting its potential for development. In this study, LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics was used to profile metabolic patterns across six tissues: new leaves (NL), old leaves (OL), stem bark (SB), stem xylem (SX), root bark (RB), and root xylem (RX). Multivariate analyses (PCA, OPLS-DA) identified key differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), including 34 phenolic compounds: 29 flavonoids and 5 phenolic acids. The total flavonoid content (TFC) was highest in the old leaves, while the total phenolic content (TPC) peaked in the root bark. Tissue extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, with the old leaves showing the most significant bioactivity. Integrated correlation analysis further revealed significant relationships between TFC/TPC, core metabolites, and biological activities, highlighting potential biomarkers for functional evaluation. This study reveals the tissue-specific accumulation of bioactive phenolics in O. henryi Prain, providing valuable insights for the development of natural antioxidants, hypoglycemic drugs, and functional foods.