Aquilaria malaccensis
Eagle wood
Aquilaria malaćensis, commonly known as agarwood or aloeswood, is a precious medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its fragrant, resinous heartwood, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and perfumery. This species holds immense cultural and economic value due to its unique therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Aquilaria malaccensis
- Family: Thymelaeaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Malvales and the family Thymelaeaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Aquilaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Thymelaeaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aquilaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Aquilaria malaccensis, is highly valued across various cultures and is known by several distinct common names depending on the region. In Indonesia, it is widely referred to as Gaharu, while in Vietnam, it is known as Trầm hương. The Tamil-speaking communities call it அகில், and in Malaysia, it is commonly known as Pokok Karas. Additionally, in German-speaking regions, the species is referred to as Adlerholzbaum.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| id | Gaharu | Wikidata |
| vi | Trầm hương | Wikidata |
| ta | அகில் | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Karas | Wikidata |
| de | Adlerholzbaum | Wikidata |
| as | সাঁচিগছ | Wikidata |
| ar | عود هندي | Wikidata |
| bn | আগর উদ্ভিদ | Wikidata |
| ceb | Aquilaria agallocha | Wikidata |
| or | ଅଗର | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across parts of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Its distribution also extends into the mountainous regions of the East Himalaya. Moving into the Indo-China region, the species is present in Myanmar. Finally, its habitat encompasses various areas within Thailand.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sumatera | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Aquilaria malaccensis, is highly valued for various components used in traditional medicine and perfumery. The most precious part is the fragrant, resinous agarwood, which forms within the heartwood when the tree is infected by specific fungi. The stem bark is also utilized for its medicinal properties, often used in decoctions to treat various ailments. Beneath the surface, the roots and the primary root system contain bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's therapeutic profile. Additionally, the leaves are frequently employed in traditional practices for their various healing applications.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| agarwood | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aquilaria malaccensis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include sesquiterpenes, 1,5-diphenylpent-1-en-3-one, 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone, 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone, 6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| sesquiterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,5-diphenylpent-1-en-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chromones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aquilaria malaccensis has 11 reported activities identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antianxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Apoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacteriostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aquilaria malaccensis has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aeromonas caviae, anxiety, breast cancer, cancer, cervical cancer.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromonas caviae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervical cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mental disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stomach cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |