Objective To clarify the dynamic accumulation pattern of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus during the growth season, providing theoretical support for precision-guided leaf harvesting tailored to different usage purposes. Methods Colorimetric method and untargeted metabolomics technology were used to analyze the dynamic accumulation characteristics of metabolites such as flavonoids, polyphenols and saponins in the leaves of A. senticosus. Results The growth season was divided into 13 stages (L1—L13) based on leaf morphodevelopmental traits. Total flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, and saponins exhibited bimodal accumulation peaks at L3 (the peak leaf expansion stage) and L11 (the end of July), with maximum contents at L11, reaching 8.02-, 1.68-, 1.61-, and 1.63-fold increases, respectively, compared to L1. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that, relative to L3, L11 showed specific upregulation of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, coupled with synergistic accumulation of light signaling molecules (FAD, lumiflavin) and defense-related compounds (sinapine, quercetin glycosides), while nucleotide synthesis precursors significantly decreased. Additionally, the pharmacopoeial quality control indicator syringin increased by 2.51-fold in L11 relative to L3. Conclusion The secondary metabolism of A. senticosus leaves exhibits significant developmental stage-dependence, among which the L11 stage is a high-enrichment period, this provides metabolomic evidence for the precise utilization of A. senticosus leaves.

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms  /  leaf  /  secondary metabolites  /  dynamic accumulation  /  untargeted metabolomics  /  total flavonoids  /  total polyphenols  /  total triterpenoids  /  total saponins