Functional genomics and metabolomics advance the ethnobotany of the Samoan traditional medicine "matalafi".

The leaf homogenate of is widely used in Samoan traditional medicine to treat inflammation associated with fever, body aches, swellings, wounds, elephantiasis, incontinence, skin infections, vomiting, respiratory infections, and abdominal distress. Translating results to mammalian immune cells and traditional application, the iron chelator activity of the homogenate or rutin decreased proinflammatory and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine responses in immune cells.

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• 1 However, the bioactive components and underlying mechanisms of action are unknown.
• 2 We used chemical genomic analyses in the model organism (baker's yeast) to identify and characterize an iron homeostasis mechanism of action in the traditional medicine as an unfractionated entity to emulate its traditional use.
• 3 Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the homogenate identified two flavonol glycosides, rutin and nicotiflorin, each binding iron in an ion-dependent molecular networking metabolomics analysis.

Understanding this could lead to better treatments, improved diagnostics, or a deeper grasp of how the human body works — benefiting patient care globally.

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