Aquilaria sinensis
What's the taxonomical classification of Aquilaria sinensis?
Aquilaria sinensis belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is placed in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following the taxonomic hierarchy further, it falls under the order Malvales and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae. Finally, the plant is identified by its specific genus, Aquilaria, and its unique species name, sinensis.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Thymelaeaceae |
| Genus | Aquilaria |
| Species | sinensis |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Aquilaria sinensis has an erect, herbaceous stem that typically reaches heights of 30 to 60 centimeters and features opposite, ovate-lanceolate leaves with serrated margins. The foliage is characterized by a bright green color and a slightly fleshy texture. Small, yellowish-white flowers emerge in terminal clusters, possessing a tubular structure that opens into five distinct lobes. These blossoms are accompanied by small, inconspicuous bracts located near the base of the inflorescence. The plant eventually produces small, dry fruits that facilitate seed dispersal.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of East Asia, specifically found in China, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia. It typically inhabits moist, shaded environments such as riverbanks, forest edges, and damp valleys. The species thrives in humid climates where soil moisture is consistently high. Its distribution is closely tied to the presence of flowing water and dense vegetation. Because it prefers specific microclimates, it is often localized to certain mountainous or riparian ecosystems within its native range.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Aquilaria sinensis, requires warm, humid subtropical climates with well-draining soil and partial shade to thrive during its early growth stages.
Cultivators typically plant the seeds in nursery beds before transplanting mature seedlings into permanent orchard locations. Because the high-value agarwood is produced only through a stress response, farmers often must perform artificial inoculation using fungi or physical wounding to trigger resin formation. Maintaining consistent moisture levels and protecting the trees from extreme frost is essential for ensuring healthy development.
Successful long-term cultivation focuses on managing these trees for several decades to maximize the quality of the aromatic resin.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Aquilaria sinensis provides medicinal value through its agarwood, bark, heartwood, resin, and root. The resinous agarwood is highly prized for its calming aromatic properties in traditional practices. Extracts from the bark and heartwood are often utilized to treat various ailments such as inflammation or digestive issues. Additionally, the resin itself serves as a potent ingredient in many topical and internal formulations. The root also contributes specific therapeutic compounds used to balance bodily functions.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic chemistry", agarwood produced of Aquilaria sinensis was used to isolate four new 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, including aqulisinone A (1), (5S, 6R,7S,8S)-8-chloro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-[2-(4'-methoxyphenylethyl)]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone (2), (5S,6R,7S,8S)-8-chloro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone (3), and (5S,6R,7R,8S)-8-chloro-5-ethoxy-6,7-dihydroxy-2-[2-(3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone (4). These were found alongside seven known analogues labeled 5-11. The new compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) release in RAW264.7 cells. Among these, compound 2 demonstrated an IC50 value of 3.46 μM.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- agarwood
- bark
- heartwood
- resin
- root
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Aquilaria sineensis, is primarily utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a source of agarwood to treat various ailments related to the respiratory and digestive systems. Historically, practitioners have employed its resinous heartwood to regulate qi and alleviate abdominal pain or nausea. The aromatic properties of the wood are also valued for their ability to calm the spirit and reduce anxiety. In many ancient medicinal formulations, the dried wood is processed into powders or decoctions to address stagnation in the body. This long-standing history has established the species as a cornerstone of herbal pharmacology in East Asian cultures.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg is an important medicinal woody plant that produces agarwood. This plant is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. The complete cp genome of Aquilaria sinensis has a size of 159,565 bp and a GC content of 37.11%. This genome includes a large single-copy region of 87,482 bp, a small single-copy region of 19,857 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats of 26,113 bp each. The genome encodes 113 functional genes, which consist of 82 protein-coding genes, 27 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Aquilaria sinensis?
This plant has antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor pharmacological activities. Its potent antioxidant properties allow it to neutralize harmful free radicals within biological systems. The extract also exhibits significant antibacterial effects against various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, it demonstrates therapeutic potential in regulating blood glucose levels and suppressing inflammatory responses. Research also indicates that the plant possesses inhibitory effects against tumor cell growth.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg possesses many significant pharmacological effects and serves as a traditional medicinal herb and valuable natural spice in China. The resinous heartwood known as agarwood is acquired from wounded A. sinensis trees and is widely used in pharmaceuticals due to its excellent medicinal value. Antioxidant tests demonstrated that essential oils from agarwood and A. sinensis possessed antioxidant capacities when compared with butylated hydroxytoluene and vitamin E. Additionally, an antibacterial activity test indicated that the inhibition effect of the essential oil was better against Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- antitumor
- α-glucosidase inhibitory
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds aquilarienes A-H, aquilarisinolide, aquilarisinone, aquqinanol C, and aquqinanol D. These specific chemical constituents are primarily classified as sesquiterpenoids derived from the resin of the species. Researchers have identified these molecules through advanced chromatographic techniques to study their potential therapeutic properties. The presence of these diverse compounds contributes to the complex pharmacological profile of the plant. Understanding these structural elements helps scientists explore new applications in traditional and modern medicine.
According to a study published by "Natural products and bioprospecting", the resinous heartwood of Aquilaria sinensis contains one novel spirolactone, aquilarisinolide (1), three new sesquiterpenoids (2, 3, and 4), and 13 known compounds (5-17). Compounds 4, 5, 6,7-dihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (5), daphnauranol B (7), 6-methoxy-2-[2-(3-methyoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone (10), isoagarotetrol (14), and 1-hydroxy-1,5-diphenylpentan-3-one (16) showed significant protective effects on CORT-induced injury in PC12 cells at a concentration of 20 μM (P < 0.001). Isoagarotetrol (14) also demonstrated a significant protective effect on MPP+-induced injury in PC12 cells at 20 μM (P < 0.001), while compound 4 showed moderate activity (P < 0.01). All tested compounds exhibited very weak BACE1-inhibitory activities, showing less than 30% inhibition at a concentration of 20 μM.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Aquilarienes A-H
- Aquilarisinolide
- Aquilarisinone
- Aquilsinone A (1)
- Aquqinanol C
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for managing Alzheimer's disease, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage such as PC12 cell injury induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine ion (MPP+) and PC12 cell injury induced by corticosterone (CORT). Its therapeutic properties are primarily driven by its ability to mitigate the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species within the body. By reducing inflammation, the plant helps protect neurological tissues from progressive degradation. Research specifically highlights its potential to stabilize cell membranes against toxic chemical insults. These combined mechanisms make it a significant subject of study for neuroprotective treatments.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis possess medicinal potential to prevent diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The flavonoid extracts from these leaves demonstrated antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 12.64 μg/mL for scavenging DPPH free radicals and 66.58 μg/mL for scavenging ABTS free radicals. Furthermore, the extracts showed the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 102.31 μg/mL. The plant also exhibited the capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 38.76 μg/mL. These specific biological activities support the use of the plant for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Alzheimer's disease
- PC12 cell injury induced by corticosterone (CORT)
- PC12 cell injury induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine ion (MPP+)
- inflammation
- oxidative stress
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations including EtOH extract, various alcohol extracts, volatile oil, and essential oils. The EtOH extract is frequently utilized in laboratory settings to isolate specific bioactive compounds for therapeutic study. Different alcohol extracts are processed to capture a wide range of soluble phytochemicals for traditional remedies. The volatile oil is obtained through distillation processes to concentrate the aromatic components of the plant. These essential oils serve as potent concentrated forms used in both topical and aromatic applications.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", four new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, identified as 1-4, were isolated from the EtOH extract of Chinese agarwood from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng. (Thymelaeaceae). The structures of these isolates were elucidated through various spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. These compounds were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activities regarding lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Among the isolates, compound 1 exhibited significant inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 4.6 μM.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- EtOH extract
- alcohol extracts
- volatile oil
- Essential oils
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and significant liver toxicity in humans. Consuming the plant often leads to immediate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many individuals also report experiencing intense stomach pain following ingestion. Most critically, the chemical components within the plant are known to induce dangerous liver toxicity. These side effects make the species highly hazardous if consumed accidentally.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Liver toxicity
What herbs are paired with Aquilaria sinensis?
This plant, commonly known as Chinese Osmanthus, is frequently paired with dried tangerine peel, licorice root, and various floral teas to enhance its aromatic profile and therapeutic benefits.
When used in traditional preparations, its sweet scent is often balanced by the bitter notes of herbs like dandelion or chrysanthemum to regulate internal heat. It is also commonly combined with honey or rock sugar in decoctions to mitigate the astringency of other medicinal ingredients.
These specific combinations aim to support digestive health and calm the spirit through synergistic aromatic properties.