Metabolite profiling of ethanol extract of radix Uvaria rufa blume by UPLC-QToF-MS/MS and its potential aphrodisiac activity

Uvaria rufa Blume, locally called Lelak, has been traditionally used by people in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, as an herbal medicine to treat erectile dysfunction. Despite its relevance in ethnomedicine, comprehensive scientific data on the metabolite profiling of U. rufa radix is still limited. This study aims to determine the metabolite profile of 70% ethanol extract of U. rufa radix using the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight–Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS/MS) method and to determine compounds predicted as aphrodisiacs based on literature studies and preliminary result in silico studies using the SuperPred website. A total of 48 metabolites were identified, with 7-Methoxy-2H-1,3-benzodioxole-5-carboxylic acid (22.14%), Formononetin (15.57%), and 3′,7-Dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone (14.38%) being the most abundant compounds. Review of relevant literature shows that several identified compounds including Formononetin, 3',7-Dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone, and Boldine are known to have important biological activities, particularly antioxidant properties. Additionally, prediction results obtained through the SuperPred website indicate that five metabolites may exhibit potential interactions with molecular targets associated with erectile dysfunction. Collectively, these findings provide initial scientific support for the traditional use of U. rufa radix and provide a basis for further pharmacological studies on its prospective aphrodisiac activity.