For the first time, we employed an UPLC/Q-TOF MS based metabolomic technique to investigate the drug action mechanism of marine natural compound flexibilide.
18 distinct metabolites involved in five metabolic pathways in HCT-116 cells were found to be disturbed by flexibilide.
Two possible action mechanisms of flexibilide were proposed by analysis of the disturbed pathways and metabolites.
The metabolomic approach provides potential in further improvement and application of flexibilide and its derivatives.