Aquilaria spp. (agarwood) as source of health beneficial compounds: A review of traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology. (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hashim, Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun; Kerr, Philip G.; Abbas, Phirdaous; Mohd Salleh, Hamzah
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 189(2016)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 360
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: CITES the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora -- IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources -- O2‾ superoxide anion -- HO hydroxyl radical -- ABTS 2, 2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid -- AChE acetylcholinesterase -- ALP alkaline phosphatase -- ALT alanine transaminase -- AMPK 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase -- AST aspartate transaminase -- cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate -- cm centrimetre -- CMC-Na carboxymethylcellulose-sodium -- CUPRAC cupric reducing anti-oxidant capacity -- ddH2O double distilled water -- DCM dichloromethane -- DEET N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide -- DPPH 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylradical -- EC50 effective concentration to 50% test organisms -- EC90 effective concentration to 90% test organisms -- ED50 effective dose to 50% test organisms -- FRAP ferric reducing anti-oxidant power -- GAE/g DW gallic acid equivalents per gram dry weight -- GC–MS gas chromatography mass spectrometry -- h hour -- HbA1c glycosylated haemoglobin -- IC50 half maximal inhibitory concentration -- ICR Imprinting Control Regions mouse -- LC50 lethal concentration to 50% test organisms -- LC90 lethal concentration to 90% test organisms -- LPS lipopolysaccharide -- m metre -- MBC minimal bactericidal concentration -- MIC minimal inhibitory concentration -- MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus -- MTT 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide -- NMR nuclear magnetic resonance -- NO nitric oxide -- p.o. per os (Latin) for oral administration -- QE/g DW quercetin equivalents per gram dry weight -- RT room temperature -- SRB sulforhodamine B -- TAC total anti-oxidant capacity -- wk week; Agarwood -- Aquilaria spp -- Bioactive compounds -- Ethnopharmacology -- Phytochemistry; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aquilaria spp. (agarwood) has been a part of Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Agarwood has also been used as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asian countries, Bangladesh and Tibet. Its common uses include the treatment of joint pain, inflammatory-related ailments, and diarrhoea, as well as a stimulant, sedative and cardioprotective agent. In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of the phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal use, pharmacological activities and safety of plant materials from Aquilaria spp. as an evidence base to further appraise its potential use as a source of health beneficial compounds. Materials and methods: Literature abstracts and full text articles from journals, books, reports and electronic searches (Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, Read Cube, Scopus, Springer, and Web of Science), as well as from other relevant websites, are surveyed, analysed and included in this review. Results: A literature survey of agarwood plant materials showed that they contain sesquiterpenes, 2(-2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives, genkwanins, mangiferins, iriflophenones, cucurbitacins, terpenoids and phenolic acids. The crude extracts and some of the isolated compounds exhibit anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-ischemic, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, laxative, and mosquitocidal properties and effects on the central nervous system. Agarwood plant materials are considered to be safe based on the doses tested. However, the toxicity and safety of the materials, including the smoke from agarwood incense burning, should be further investigated. Future research should be directed towards the bio-guided isolation of bioactive compounds with proper chemical characterisation and investigations of the underlying mechanisms towards drug discovery. Conclusions: The traditional medicinal use of agarwood plant materials has provided clues to their pharmacological properties. Indeed, agarwood contains a plethora of bioactive compounds that now elegantly support their use in traditional medicine. As wild agarwood trees are critically endangered and vulnerable, sustainable agricultural and forestry practices are necessary for the further development and utilization of agarwood as a source of health beneficial compounds. Graphical abstract: