Valorization of Euphorbia helioscopia seeds as a lipid-rich resource with anti-EMT activity: A UPLC-ESI-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach

Euphorbia helioscopia L. is a traditional medicinal plant, whose seeds (EHS) are often discarded as agricultural waste. This study aimed to explore the metabolic profile and anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) potential of EHS compared with the conventional whole herb (EHQ). Using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics, 2178 metabolites were identified, with 1423 showing differential accumulation between EHQ and EHS. EHQ was rich in flavonoids, while EHS relatively enriched in lipids compared to EHQ metabolome, enriched in fatty acids such as octanoic, stearic, and octadecenoic acids. Pathway analysis highlighted disparities in lipid and flavonoid biosynthesis. In vitro assays on A549 lung cancer cells revealed that EHS extract possessed stronger cytotoxicity (IC 50 = 0.80 mg/mL) and more potently inhibited cell migration and EMT progression, evidenced by upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated N-cadherin and α-SMA. These findings position EHS as a promising candidate contributors’ lipid-rich resource for anti-EMT drug development, advocating for the valorization of underutilized plant parts in sustainable bioproduct pipelines. • Lipid-rich seeds surpass flavonoid-rich herb in anti-EMT activity. • EHS extract potently inhibits lung cancer cell migration. • A discarded part identified as a novel anti-metastatic resource.