Abstract: Centella asiatica is an important source of biologically active pentacyclic
triterpenoids. The enhancement of the biosynthesis of the centellosides by manipulation of
associated metabolic pathways is receiving much attention. Jasmonates play critical roles
in plant metabolism by up-regulating the expression of genes related to secondary
metabolites. Here, we investigated the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJa) in C. asiatica
through targeted metabolomic profiling of asiaticoside and madecassoside as well as their
aglycones, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Cell suspensions were treated with 0.2 mM
MeJa for 2, 4 and 6 days. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
was used to explore induced changes in metabolite profiles, both qualitatively and
quantitatively. Principal component analysis (PCA)-derived scores plots revealed clusters
of sample replicates for control and treated samples at 2, 4 and 6 days while loading plots
aided in identifying signatory biomarkers (asiatic acid and madecassic acid, as well as
asiaticoside and madecassoside) that clearly demonstrate the variability between samples.
In addition to increased biosynthesis of the targeted centelloids, other differential changes
in the intracellular metabolite profiles reflected the response of the C. asiatica cells to the
MeJa-treatment as a reprogramming of the metabolome.