Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activity of Agarwood and Aquilaria Plants.

Agarwood, a highly precious non-timber fragrant wood of Aquilaria spp. (Thymelaeaceae), has been widely used in traditional medicine, religious rites, and cultural activities. Due to the inflated demanding and depleted natural resources, the yields of agarwood collected from the wild are shrinking, and the price is constantly rising, which restricts agarwood scientific research and wide application. With the sustainable planting and management of agarwood applied, and especially the artificial-inducing methods being used in China and Southeast Asian countries, agarwood yields are increasing, and the price is becoming more reasonable. Under this condition, illuminating the scientific nature of traditional agarwood application and developing new products and drugs from agarwood have become vitally important. Recently, the phytochemical investigations have achieved fruitful results, and more than 300 compounds have been isolated, including numerous new compounds that might be the characteristic constituents with physiological action. However, no one has focused on the new compounds and presented a summary until now. Alongside phytochemical advances, bioactivity screening and pharmacological investigation have also made a certain progress. Therefore, this review discussed the new compounds isolated after 2010, and summarized the pharmacological progress on agarwood and Aquilaria plants.

1. Introduction

Agarwood, known as chenxiang in Chinese and called aloeswood, agalloch, eaglewood, jinkoh, gaharu, or kanankoh in different regions, is a highly valuable non-timber fragrant wood of Aquilaria spp. (Thymelaeaceae) [1,2,3,4]. There are 31 species of Aquilaria found worldwide in Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore [5,6], among which 19 species can produce agarwood after being attacked by physical force [7,8], insects [9], or bacteria/fungi infection [10,11,12]. Agarwood is used for incense, perfume, traditional medicine, and other products in the world market. In traditional Chinese medicine, agarwood is used as a qi-regulating drug and carminative medicine to relieve gastric problems, coughs, rheumatism, and high fever. It can promote qi circulation to relieve pain, warm the middle energizer to arrest vomiting, and regulate respiration to relieve asthma [13]. In traditional Arabian medicine, agarwood essential oil is used for aromatherapy. Simultaneously, agarwood has also been widely used for centuries as incense in Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic ceremonies.

With the increasing demand for agarwood, the population of Aquilaria species is declining rapidly in the wild, and all species of Aquilaria have been placed on the Appendix II list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora since 2004 [1]. In response to this situation, sustainable planting and management of agarwood with artificial methods are arising, and the agarwood yield is increasing. As a result, agarwood no longer needs to be obtained from wild natural resources, enabling its wider application and investigation, especially on pharmaceutical study. Based on the phytochemical studies, a number of new compounds have been isolated and identified from agarwood and Aquilaria plants. However, there is no literature concentrating on the new compounds, even though earlier literature have summarized the chemical constituents of agarwood and related plants [6,14,15]. Therefore, this review discussed the new compounds isolated after 2010, and summarized the pharmacological progress on agarwood and Aquilaria plants.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. New Compounds from Agarwood and Aquilaria Plants

The chemical constitutes of agarwood originating from the genus Aquilaria, include 2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives, terpenoids, flavonoids etc., in which 2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives and sesquiterpenes are the two predominant constituents in agarwood. There have been 154 new compounds (Table 1) isolated from agarwood and genus Aquilaria trees since 132 compounds were summarized in June 2010 [14].

Table 1

Chemical constituents of agarwood originating from the genus Aquilaria.

No.	Compound Class and Name	Source or Origin	Extraction *	Ref.
	2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones
1	7-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-ethoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
2	6,7-Dimethoxy-2-[2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl) ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
3	6,7-Dihydroxy-2-[2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
4	6-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-[2-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
5	6,8-Dihydroxy-2-[2-(3′-hydroxy4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
6	6-Hydroxy-2-[2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
7	6-Hydroxy-7-methoxy2-[2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
8	6,7-Dimethoxy-2-[2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-xyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[16]
9	5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromen-4-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–H2O	[17]
10	8-Chloro-6-hydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromen-4-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[18]
11	8-Chloro-6-hydroxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromen-4-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[18]
12	Rel-(5R,6S,7R)-5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
13	Rel-(5R,6S,7R)-5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4H-1-benzopyran4-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
14	7-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
15	Rel-(1aR,2R,3R,7bS)-1α,2,3,7β-Tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f] [1]benzopyran-7-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
16	Rel-(1aR,2R,3R,7bS)-1α,2,3,7β-Tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-(2-phenylethyl)-7H-oxireno[f] [1]benzopyran-7-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
17	Rel-(1aR,2R,3R,7bS)-1α,2,3,7β-Tetrahydro-2,3-dihydroxy-5-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-7H-oxireno[f] [1]benzopyran-7-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
18	Rel-(5R,6S,7S,8R)-8-Chloro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
19	Rel-(5R,6S,7S,8R)-8-Chloro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[19]
20	6-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
21	6-Hydroxy-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
22	6,8-Dihydroxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
23	8-Chloro-6-hydroxy-2-[2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
24	5-Methoxy-6-hydroxy-2-[2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
25	(R)-6,7-Dimethoxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
26	(S)-6,7-Dimethoxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[20]
27	6-Methoxy-2-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[8]
28	5-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[8]
29	5,6-Epoxy-7β-hydroxy-8β-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[8]
30	(5S,6R,7S,8R)-2-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-5,6,7-trihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-{6-methoxy-2-[2-(3‴-methoxy-4‴-hydroxypheny)ethyl]chromonyl-7-oxy}chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[21]
31	(5S,6R,7S,8R)-2-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-5,6,7-trihydroxy-5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-8-{2-[2-(4‴-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromonyl-6-oxy}chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[21]
32	(5S,6R,7S,8R)-2-(2-Phenylethyl)-5,6,7-trihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-[2-(2-phenylethyl)chromonyl-6-oxy]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[21]
33	(5R,6R,7R,8S)-2-(2-Phenylethyl)-5,6,7-trihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-[2-(2-phenylethyl)chromonyl-6-oxy]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[21]
34	Aquilarone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
35	Aquilarone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
36	Aquilarone C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
37	Aquilarone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
38	Aquilarone E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
39	Aquilarone F	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
40	Aquilarone G	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
41	Aquilarone H	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
42	Aquilarone I	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CHCl3	[22]
43	5-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CH2Cl2	[23]
44	5,8-Dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CH2Cl2	[23]
45	5α,6α-Epoxy-7β,8α,30-trihydroxy-40-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CH2Cl2	[23]
46	6-Methoxy-2-[2-(20,30,40-trihydroxy)phenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–CH2Cl2	[23]
47	5-Hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-2-[2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[24]
48	(5R,6R,7R,8S)-8-Chloro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[24]
49	(5S,6S,7S,8S)-8-Chloro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[24]
50	(5R,6R,7R,8R)-8-Chloro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[24]
51	(5R,6S,7S)-5,6,7-Trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[24]
52	(5S,6R,7S,8R) Aquisinenone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
53	(5R,6S,7R,8S) Aquisinenone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
54	(−)-4′-Methoxyaquisinenone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
55	(5R,6S,7R,8S) Aquisinenone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
56	(5S,6R,7S,8R)Aquisinenone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
57	(−)-6″-Hydroxyaquisinenone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
58	(+)-6″-Hydroxy-4′,4‴-dimethoxyaquisinenone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
59	(5R,6S,7R,8S)Aquisinenone C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
60	(5S,6R,7S,8R)Aquisinenone C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
61	(−)-Aquisinenone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
62	(5R,6S,7R,8S)4′-Demethoxyaquisinenone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
63	(5S,6R,7S,8R)4′-Demethoxyaquisinenone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
64	(+)-Aquisinenone E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
65	(−)-Aquisinenone F	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
66	(−)-Aquisinenone G	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
67	(+)-4′-Methoxyaquisinenone G	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[25]
68	Tetrahydrochromone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
69	Tetrahydrochromone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
70	Tetrahydrochromone C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
71	Tetrahydrochromone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
72	Tetrahydrochromone E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
73	Tetrahydrochromone F	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
74	Tetrahydrochromone G	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
75	Tetrahydrochromone H	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
76	Tetrahydrochromone I	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
77	Tetrahydrochromone J	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
78	Tetrahydrochromone K	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
79	Tetrahydrochromone L	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
80	Tetrahydrochromone M	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[26]
81	7-Hydroxyl-6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[27]
82	Qinanone A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
83	Qinanone B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
84	Qinanone C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
85	Qinanone D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
86	Qinanone E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
87	Qinanone G	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[28]
88	2-(2-Hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one	A. filaria (Japan)	EtOH–MeOH	[29]
	Terpenoids
89	(+)-9β-Hydroxyeudesma-4,11(13)-dien-12-al	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
90	(+)-Eudesma-4,11(13)-dien-8α,9β-diol	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
91	(+)-8α-Hydroxyeudesma-3,11(13)-dien-14-al	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
92	(+)-Eudesma-3,11(13)-dien-8α,9β-diol	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
93	(+)-Eudesma-4(14),11(13)-dien-8α,9β-diol	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
94	(4R,5R,7S,9S,10S)-(−)-Eudesma-11(13)-en-4,9-diol	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
95	(+)-9β,10β-Epoxyeremophila-11(13)-en	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
96	(+)-11-Hydroxyvalenc-1(10),8-dien-2-one	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
97	(−)-Eremophila-9-en-8β,11-diol	A.sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[30]
98	1,10-Dioxo-4H-5H-7H-11H-1,10-secoguaia-2(3)-en-12,8-olide	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[31]
99	1-Hydroxy-4H-5H-7H-11H-8,9-secoguaia-9(10)-en-8,12-olide	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[31]
100	1-Hydroxy-4α,10α-dimethyl-5H-octahydro-azulen-8-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[31]
101	1α-Hydroxy-4α,10α-dimethyl-5βH-octahydro-azulen-8-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[31]
102	4-Hydroxyl-baimuxinol	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[32]
103	7β-H-9(10)-ene-11,12-Epoxy-8-oxoeremophilane	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[32]
104	7α-H-9(10)-ene-11,12-Epoxy-8-oxoeremophilane	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[32]
105	(5S,7S,9S,10S)-(+)-9-Hydroxy-selina-3,11-dien-12-al	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[33]
106	(5S,7S,9S,10S)-(−)-9-Hydroxy-selina-3,11-dien-14-al	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[33]
107	(5S,7S,9S,10S)-(+)-9-Hydroxy-eudesma-3,11(13)-dien-12-methyl ester	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[33]
108	(7S,9S,10S)-(+)-9-Hydroxy-selina-4,11-dien-14-al	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[33]
109	(7S,8S,10S)-(+)-8,12-Dihydroxy-selina-4,11-dien-14-al	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[33]
110	Qinanol A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
111	Qinanol B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
112	Qinanol C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
113	Qinanol D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
114	Qinanol E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
115	Qinanol F	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–Et2O	[34]
116	3-oxo-7-Hydroxylholosericin A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[35]
117	1,5,8,12-Diepoxy-guaia-12-one	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[35]
118	(+)-8β-Hydroxy-longicamphenylone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[37]
119	11β-Hydroxy-13-isopropyl-dihydrodehydrocostus lactone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–petroleum ether	[37]
120	Aquilarabietic acid A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
121	Aquilarabietic acid B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
122	Aquilarabietic acid C	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
123	Aquilarabietic acid D	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
124	Aquilarabietic acid E	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
125	Aquilarabietic acid F	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
126	Aquilarabietic acid G	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
127	Aquilarabietic acid H	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
128	Aquilarabietic acid I	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
129	Aquilarabietic acid J	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
130	Aquilarabietic acid K	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH	[38]
131	Aquilarin B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[39]
132	Aquilanol A	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–Et2O	[36]
133	Aquilanol B	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–Et2O	[36]
134	Daphnauranol D	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–Et2O	[36]
135	Chamaejasmone E	A. malaccensis (Laos)	EtOH–Et2O	[36]
136	Aquilacallane A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[40]
137	Aquilacallane B	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[40]
138	Aquimavitalin	A. malaccensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[41]
139	12-O-(2′E,4′E)-6-oxohexa-2′,4′-Dienoylphorbol-13-acetate	A. malaccensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[42]
140	12-Deoxy-13-O-acetylphorbol-20-(9′Z)-octadecenoate	A. malaccensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[42]
141	12-O-(2′E,4′E)-6′,7′-(erythro)-dihydroxytetradeca-2′,4′-dienoylphorbol-13-acetate.	A. malaccensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[42]
142	12-O-(2′E,4′E)-6′,7′-(threo)-dihydroxytetradeca-2′,4′-dienoylphorbol-13-acetate.	A. malaccensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[42]
	Flavonoids
143	4′-O-Geranyltricin	A. sinensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[27]
144	3′-O-Geranylpolloin	A. sinensis (Taiwan)	EtOH–EtOAc	[27]
145	Aquisiflavoside	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[43]
146	Aquilarisinin	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH and EtOAc	[44]
147	Aquilarisin	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH and EtOAc	[44]
148	Aquilarixanthone	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH and EtOAc	[44]
149	Hypolaetin 5-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH and EtOAc	[44]
150	7-β-D-Glucoside of 5-O-methylapigenin	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[45]
	Others
151	Aquilarinoside A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[45]
152	Aquilarin A	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–EtOAc	[46]
153	(9S) Megastigma-4,7-diene-2,3,9-triol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[47]
154	(9S) Megastigma-4(13),7-diene-3,6,9-triol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside	A. sinensis (China)	EtOH–n-BuOH	[47]

* The first one or two solvents used to extract before the separation on columns. Ethanol: EtOH; ethyl acetate: EtOAc; n-butyl alcohol: n-BuOH; diethyl ether: Et2O; chloroform: CHCl3; and dichloromethane: CH2Cl2.

2.1.1. 2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones

In total, 88 new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone compounds (1–88) have been isolated from agarwood and genus Aquilaria plants (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5). Yang et al. [16] carried out a bioassay-guided isolation strategy from A. sinensis, resulting in seven new 2-(2-phenylethl)chromone derivatives (1–7) and a new 2-(2-phenylethenyl)chromone (8) being obtained from an ethanol (EtOH) extract. The investigation of EtOH extract obtained another three 2-(2-phenylethl)chromones (9–11) [17,18] and eight derivatives (12–19) from different fractions [19]. Liao et al. [20] reported seven new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives (20–26), including a chlorinated one (23) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of artificial agarwood (A. sinensis). The EtOAc fraction also contained three 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (27–29) [8] and four new bi-phenylethylchromones (30–33) [21]. A phytochemical investigation of a resinous wood (A. sinensis) led to the isolation of nine new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, aquilarones A–I (34–42) from a chloroform (CHCl3) fraction [22]. Liu et al. found four new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives (43–46) from Chinese agarwood produced via the whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique [23]. Huo et al. gained five new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives (47–51) [24] and sixteen dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (52–67) from the resinous wood of A. sinensis [25]. Liao et al. isolated thirteen 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (68–80) [26] from the artificial agarwood of A. sinensis. Additionally, one 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone compound (81) was isolated from the stem bark EtOH extract of A. sinensis [27].

Figure 1

Structures of chromones identified in agarwood.

Figure 2

Structure of 2-(2-phenylethenyl)chromone identified in agarwood.

Figure 3

Structures of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones identified in agarwood.

Figure 4

Structures of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones with epoxide identified in agarwood.

Figure 5

Structures of dimeric 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones identified in agarwood.

“Qi-Nan” is regarded as the highest quality agarwood, valued for its mysterious oriental odor that can be smelt without burning, unlike other kinds of agarwood. The investigation of EtOH extract of high-quality Chinese agarwood “Qi-Nan” (A. sinensis) obtained seven new 2-(2-phenylethl)chromone derivatives (82–88) [28,29].

2.1.2. Terpenoids

Terpenoids are compounds derived from mevalonic acid, whose basic carbon frame is characterized by having two or more isoprene units. Terpenoids, including sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, are the main components of agarwood. The EtOH extract of agarwood was isolated and, as a result, a total of 34 new sesquiterpenes (89–117, 131–135) (Figure 6) were gained [30,31,32,33,34,35,36], in which nine compounds (102–104, 110–115) were identified from “Qi-Nan” [32,34]. The isolation of a petroleum ether fraction obtained two new sesquiterpene derivatives (118, 119) (Figure 6) [37], and eleven new diterpenoids (120–130) (Figure 7) were identified from EtOH extract [38]. Additionally, many new terpenoids have also been found in other parts of genus Aquilaria plants. Peng et al. [39] isolated a novel degraded sesquiterpene, named aquilarin B (131) (Figure 6) from the EtOH extract of the fresh stem (A. sinensis) and Cheng et al. [40] got two new tirucallane triterpenoids (136–137) (Figure 8) from the leaves of A. sinensis. Furthermore, aquimavitalin (138) and four new phorbol esters (139–142) were isolated from an A. malaccensis seeds ethanolic extract [41,42] (Figure 9).

Figure 6

Structures of sesquiterpenes identified in agarwood.

Figure 7

Structures of diterpenes identified in agarwood.

Figure 8

Structures of tirucallane triterpenoids from Aquilaria sinensis.

Figure 9

Structures of phorbol esters from Aquilaria malaccensis.

2.1.3. Flavonoids

Flavonoids consist of a large group of polyphenolic compounds with a benzo-γ-pyrone structure, which is ubiquitously present in plants; there is no exception for the genus Aquilaria plants. Two new flavones (143, 144) were obtained from the EtOAc fraction of stem bark (A. sinensis) [27] (Figure 10). Another six new flavonoids (145–150) were isolated from the leaves of A. sinensis [43,44,45] (Figure 10).

Figure 10

Structures of flavonoids from Aquilaria malaccensis.

2.1.4. Others

Compounds 151–154 are included here, as they do not belong to any of the above classes [45,46,47] (Figure 11).

Figure 11

Structures of compounds from agarwood.

2.2. Pharmacological Activity of Fraction and Components from Agarwood and Aquilaria Trees

2.2.1. Neural Activity

Agarwood has been traditionally used as a medicine for tranquilizing and reducing excitement in China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East for centuries. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that agarwood has an active effect on the nervous system [48,49]. Okugawa et al. [50] determined that a benzene extract of A. malaccensis agarwood reduced spontaneous motility, prolonged hexobarbiturate-induced sleeping time, and decreased rectal temperature, whereas petroleum ether, chloroform, or water extracts did not have that effect. A further bio-guided isolation of a benzene extract found that jinkoh-eremol and agarospirol were the main active constituents [51,52]. Takemoto et al. [53] reported that agarwood essential oil sedated mice through vapor inhalation, in which the main volatile constituents were benzylacetone, α-gurjunene, and (+)-calarene. As benzylacetone had a sedative effect, a number of derivatives were synthesized and assessed for a sedative effect. The results demonstrated that benzylacetone-like compounds had sedative activities, and their intensities varied depending on the functional group in the carbon chain, the substituent in the benzene ring, and their combinations [54]. Our recent studies showed that both the ethanol extract and essential oil of agarwood, induced by the whole-tree agarwood inducing technique in A. sinensis trees, had a sedative-hypnotic effect, where its potential mechanism is related to regulating the gene expression of GABAA receptors and potentiating the GABAA receptor function [55,56]. Agarofuran, derived from agarwood essential oil, was reported to have anxiolytic and anti-depression activity in mice [49]. To explore a potential drug for treating anxiety and depression, a series of agarofuran-like derivatives were synthesized and the activity screened, among which, buagafuran was an effective compound for anti-anxiety and anti-depression, with low toxicity and a high safety coefficient [49,57]. The potential mechanism might be through modulating central neurotransmitters, such as dopamine [58]. A metabolic study showed that buagafuran could be transformed to hydroxy metabolite and carbonyl one in a human liver microsome, where carbonyl metabolite was the main one [59]. Until now, phase II clinical trials are being conducted on buagafuran. Furthermore, many other activity screening results have also shown that compounds from agarwood have an effect on neural activity. Compound 7 (10 µg/mL) showed neural protective activity against both glutamate-induced and corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 pheochromocytoma and human U251 glioma cells [16]. Compounds 118 and 119 exhibited potent anti-depressant activity in vitro by inhibiting [3H]-5-HT reuptake in rat synaptosomes [37]. Compound 120 demonstrated remarkable antidepressant activity in vitro, by inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake in rat brain synaptosomes [38]. Simultaneously, seventeen new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, including compounds 22, 27–29, 31–33, 68, 69, 78–80, 82–86, and eleven new terpenoids, such as 103–105 and 110–117, had acetylcholinesterase inhibitive effect [8,20,21,26,28,32,33,34,35]. Above all, neural activity of agarwood is one of the most studied aspects with many active compounds and a promising drug candidate found, which will sustain it as a research hotspot in the future.

2.2.2. Gastrointestinal Regulation

Pharmacological studies showed that agarwood and the leaves of A. sinensis trees have a gastrointestinal regulating effect. Our studies demonstrated that the agarwood ethanol extract significantly improved intestinal peristalsis, enhanced gastric emptying, and inhibited gastric ulcer [60]. Li et al. reported that the ethanol extract of agarwood and A. sinensis leaves enhanced intestinal propulsion [61]. Kakina et al. reported that leaves of A. sinensis trees induced laxation via acetylcholine receptors on loperamide-induced constipation in mice [62]. The acetone extract of A. sinensis leaves had a laxative effect without causing diarrhea, in which genkwanin 5-O-β-primeveroside was the active constituent, whereas the methanol extract did not have the laxative effect [63]. The ethanol extract of A. sinensis leaves had a laxative effect without causing diarrhea in a rat model of low-fiber diet-induced constipation [64]. Mangiferin and genkwanin 5-O-primeveroside were the two major bioactive compounds [65]. Additionally, benzylacetone, an active compound from essential oil, had the effect of enhancing appetite [66,67]. Even though agarwood on alleviating abdominal discomfort has been widely used for centuries, the gastrointestinal regulating effect, especially on a specific disease, is not completely clear.

2.2.3. Antibacterial and Antifungal

The original use of agarwood was for anticorrosive deodorization in ancient China, as well as Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, agarwood has been used for a long time as a traditional treatment for infectious diseases such as diarrhea and skin diseases [68]. Chen et al. [69] found that agarwood essential oil derived from A. sinensis, regardless of whether it originated from artificial or natural agarwood, had inhibitive activities towards Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus [69]. Extracts of agarwood (A. crassna), isolated by water distillation, supercritical fluid carbon dioxide, and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide with ethanol as the co-solvent, showed antimicrobial activities against S. aureus and Candida albicans, but were not against Escherichia coli [70]. Sirilak et al. [68] found that an aqueous extract of A. crassna leaves possessed an in vitro antibacterial action against Staphylococcus epidermidis, causing bacterial cells to swell and distort, inhibiting the biofilm formation, and leading to cell wall rupture. An ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanol extract from A. crassna exhibited stronger antifungal (Fusarium solani) activity than ethanol extract [10]. Additionally, many other compounds had an antibacterial activity, such as compound 27, exhibiting inhibitory effect against S. aureus [8], compound 105 and 107 against both S. aureus and R. solanacearum, and compound 109 against S. aureus [33]. Even though the antibacterial/antifungal effect of agarwood is definite, the inhibited microbial species are not completely known. Therefore, antibacterial spectrum investigation of agarwood should be carried out.

2.2.4. Anti-Inflammatory

Agarwood essential oil has an anti-inflammatory function, significantly reducing the skin thickness, ear weight, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13 acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear inflammation model [71]. The ethanol extract of agarwood also inhibited ear edema induced by xylene, and peritoneal inflammation induced by low concentrative acetic acid in mice [72]. Linalool and the corresponding acetate derivate play a major role in anti-inflammatory activity [73]. An in silico molecular docking study suggests that 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, jinkoh-eremol, and agarospirol were preferentially more active than other identified compounds, with strong binding affinity to major anti-inflammatory receptors [71]. Furthermore, many other activity screening results have shown that compounds from agarwood exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against inflammation. Compounds 34–42, 43, 48–51, 52–56, 58, 61–63, 95, 99, and 145 showed significant inhibition of NO production [22,23,24,25,30,31,43]. Compound 150 showed inhibition activity against polymorphonuclear neutrophil respiratory burst stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [45]. Compounds 81 and 144 exhibited inhibition of superoxide anion generation [27], and inversely, compounds 139–142 exerted enhancing activity on superoxide anion generation [42]. At the same time, compounds 81, 139, and 144 showed potent inhibitory activity on elastase release [27,42]. As we all know, inflammation has a close relationship with other diseases, such as immunopathy, metabolic disorders, and neoplasms, so the anti-inflammatory effect of agarwood, in a certain degree, portends the extensive pharmacological activities of agarwood.

2.2.5. Analgesic Effect

Wang et al. [74] found that chloroform extracts of agarwood prolonged the pain threshold induced by hot plate, and reduced the times of writhing reactions. Jinkoh-eremol and agarospirol may be the active compounds, and jinkoh-eremol’s analgesic effect could be blocked by naloxone (a opioid antagonist), whereas agarosporol was weakly effected by naloxone [51]. At the same time, jinkoh-eremol and agarospirol could inhibit D2 receptor binding and 5-HT2A receptor binding [51]. Additionally, compound 138 showed strong inhibitory activity in A23178- and antigen-induced degranulation assay, with IC50 values of 1.7 nM and 11 nM, respectively [41].

2.2.6. Antiasthma

The antiasthma effect of agarwood has been traditionally used in China, and can be found in the latest Chinese Pharmacopoeia [13]. However, to our knowledge, only one study found that an ethanol extract of agarwood and A. sinensis leaves could inhibit asthma induced by histamine phosphate in guinea pig [75].

2.2.7. Cytotoxicity

Agarwood essential oil possesses anticancer activity towards MCF-7 breast cancer cells [76] and HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cells [77,78,79]. β-Caryophyllene, isolated from the essential oil of A. crassna, exhibited selective anti-proliferative effects against colorectal cancer cells (IC50 19 μM) and induced apoptosis via nuclear condensation and fragmentation pathways. Additionally, β-caryophyllene also showed potent inhibition of clonogenicity, migration, invasion, and spheroid formation in colon cancer cells [80]. Additionally, other activity screening results showed that compounds from agarwood exhibited cytotoxic activity [81], whereas compound 88 suppressed tumor promotion at noncytotoxic concentrations [29].

2.2.8. Anti-Diabetes

Mei et al. [82] found that the ethanol extracts of both agarwood and A. sinensis leaves alleviated diabetes induced by mesoxyalyurea in mice. The methanol extract of A. sinensis leaves possessed the fast blood glucose activity in rat and glucose uptake transportation by rat adipocytes [83]. Iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside decreased the fasting blood glucose levels in streptozocin-induced diabetic mice, and enhanced glucose uptake into adipocytes [84]. Compounds 146–149 isolated from agarwood had an inhibitive effect on α-glucosidase [44].

2.2.9. Antioxidation

The essential oil of agarwood had a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in PC12 cells [85]. The aqueous extract of A. crassna leaves had radical scavenging capacities determined by 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) scavenging assays [68]. A methanol extract of A. crassna leaves was also found to have anti-oxidative activities [86]. The 100% (v/v) ethanol extract exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity among the 0% to 100% (v/v) ethanol extracts isolated from A. crassna young leaves [87]. β-Caryophyllene displayed strong antioxidant effects determined by the DPPH and FRAP scavenging methods [80]. Other compounds 28, 35, and 144, isolated from agarwood, also showed an anti-oxidative effect [8,22,27].

2.2.10. Others

A methanol extract of A. crassna leaves significantly reduced fever (rectal temperature) induced by baker’s yeast at five and six hours after subcutaneous injection in rat [86]. The aqueous extract of A. malaccensis leaves was effective on Trypanosoma evansi with an IC50 value 36.29 ± 1.32 μg/mL, whereas the ethanol extract was relatively weak (IC50 = 128.63 ± 6.70 μg/mL) [88]. An ethyl acetate extract of A. crassna showed an anti-ischemic effect by attenuation of P38-MAPK activation [89].

3. Conclusions

Among the 154 new compounds identified from Aquilaria plants, 2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives and sesquiterpenes account for 57% and 35%, respectively, where most of the new compounds, accounting for 89%, were isolated from A. sinensis. Generally, agarwood originating from different Aquilaria plants share some common compounds, but still have several different compounds [14]. In addition, there are at least 19 species of Aquilaria plants producing agarwood, which means that large quantities of new compounds need to be explored in agarwood and Aquilaria plants. The chemical components of agarwood are diverse and complex, contributing to the diversity of bioactivity and pharmacology, including neural activity, gastrointestinal regulation, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and cytotoxicity. Based on the specific disease and target, illuminating the active ingredients and compounds of agarwood should be carried out, which may not only contribute to the understanding of the scientific nature of the traditional agarwood application, but also benefit the new drug research and agarwood product development.

NO.	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8
1	H	OH	OCH3	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
2	H	OCH3	OCH3	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
3	H	OCH3	OH	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
4	H	OCH3	OCH3	H	H	H	OCH3	OH
5	H	OH	OH	H	H	H	H	OCH3
6	H	OH	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OH
7	H	OH	H	OH	H	H	OH	OCH3
9	OH	OH	OH	OH	H	H	OH	OCH3
10	H	OH	H	Cl	H	H	H	H
11	H	OH	H	Cl	H	H	H	OCH3
12	H	OCH3	OH	H	H	H	H	OCH3
20	H	OH	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OCH3
21	H	OH	H	H	H	H	OCH3	OCH3
22	H	OH	H	OH	H	H	H	OCH3
23	H	OH	H	Cl	H	H	OH	OCH3
24	OCH3	OH	H	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
25	H	OCH3	OCH3	H	α-OH	H	H	H
26	H	OCH3	OCH3	H	β-OH	H	H	H
27	H	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
28	OH	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
40	H	OH	OCH3	H	H	H	OCH3	OH
41	H	OCH3	H	H	H	H	H	OH
42	H	OH	H	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
43	OH	H	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OCH3
44	OH	OCH3	H	OH	H	H	H	H
46	H	OCH3	H	H	H	OH	OH	OH
47	OH	OCH3	OCH3	H	H	H	H	OCH3
81	H	OCH3	OH	H	H	H	H	H
82	H	H	H	H	H	H	OH	OCH3
83	H	H	H	H	H	H	OCH3	OH
84	H	H	H	H	H	OH	H	OCH3
85	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	OH
86	H	H	H	H	H	H	OH	H
87	H	H	H	H	H	OH	H	H
88	H	H	H	H	OH	H	H	H

NO.	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6
16	α-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-Cl	H	OCH3
17	α-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-Cl	OH	OCH3
18	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	H	H
19	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	H	OCH3
34	α-OH	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	OH	OCH3
35	α-OH	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	H
36	α-OH	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	OCH3
37	α-OH	β-OH	α-OH	β-OH	OH	OCH3
38	α-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-OH	OH	OCH3
39	α-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-OH	H	OH
48	β-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-Cl	H	OCH3
49	α-OH	α-OH	α-OH	α-Cl	H	H
50	β-OH	β-OH	β-OH	β-Cl	H	OCH3
51	β-OH	β-OH	β-OH	H	OCH3	OH
68	α-OCH3	β-OH	β-OH	α-OH	H	OCH3
69	β-OCH3	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	OCH3
70	α-OCH3	β-OH	β-OH	α-OH	OH	OCH3
71	α-OCH3	β-OH	β-OH	α-Cl	H	OCH3
72	α-OH	β-OH	β-OH	α-Cl	H	OCH3
73	α-OCH3	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	H	OCH3
74	β-OCH3	β-OH	β-OH	α-OH	H	OCH3
75	α-OCH3	α-OH	α-OH	β-OH	OH	OCH3
76	α-OCH3	α-OH	α-OH	β-Cl	H	OCH3
77	α-OCH3	α-OH	α-OH	β-Cl	OH	OCH3