Xiangsheng Zhao1, Canhong Wang1, Hui Meng1, Zhangxin Yu1, Meihua Yang2, Jianhe Wei3. 1. Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haikou, 570311, China. 2. Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haikou, 570311, China; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China. 3. Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haikou, 570311, China; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China. Electronic address: wjianh@263.net.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dalbergia odorifera, a traditional herbal medicine, has long been used in China for dissipating blood stasis, regulating the flow of qi, and relieving pain. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control of D. odorifera. Additionally, perspectives for possible future investigations on D. odorifera are also discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on D. odorifera was obtained from a library database and electronic searches (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, China Knowledge Resource Integrated). RESULTS: According to classical Chinese herbal texts and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, D. odorifera promotes blood circulation, relieves pain, and eliminates blood stasis, and it can be used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. The chemical constituents of D. odorifera have been well studied, with approximately 175 metabolites having been identified, including flavonoids, phenols, arylbenzofurans, and quinones. The species also contains well-studied volatile oil. Its flavonoids and volatile oil are generally considered to be essential for its pharmacological activity. Modern pharmacology research has confirmed that isolated components and crude extracts of D. odorifera possess wide-ranging pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-angina, anti-oxidative, and other activities. Additionally, there are few quality control studies on D. odorifera. CONCLUSIONS: To date, significant progress has been made in D. odorifera phytochemistry and pharmacology. Thus, modern pharmacological research has provided some evidence for local or traditional uses. D. odorifera also showed therapeutic potential in cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. However, the present findings are insufficient to explain its mechanisms of action. Additionally, the mechanism of heartwood formation, artificial induction technology for heartwood production, and quality control of D. odorifera require further detailed research.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dalbergia odorifera, a traditional herbal medicine, has long been used in China for dissipating blood stasis, regulating the flow of qi, and relieving pain. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control of D. odorifera. Additionally, perspectives for possible future investigations on D. odorifera are also discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on D. odorifera was obtained from a library database and electronic searches (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, China Knowledge Resource Integrated). RESULTS: According to classical Chinese herbal texts and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, D. odorifera promotes blood circulation, relieves pain, and eliminates blood stasis, and it can be used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. The chemical constituents of D. odorifera have been well studied, with approximately 175 metabolites having been identified, including flavonoids, phenols, arylbenzofurans, and quinones. The species also contains well-studied volatile oil. Its flavonoids and volatile oil are generally considered to be essential for its pharmacological activity. Modern pharmacology research has confirmed that isolated components and crude extracts of D. odorifera possess wide-ranging pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-angina, anti-oxidative, and other activities. Additionally, there are few quality control studies on D. odorifera. CONCLUSIONS: To date, significant progress has been made in D. odorifera phytochemistry and pharmacology. Thus, modern pharmacological research has provided some evidence for local or traditional uses. D. odorifera also showed therapeutic potential in cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. However, the present findings are insufficient to explain its mechanisms of action. Additionally, the mechanism of heartwood formation, artificial induction technology for heartwood production, and quality control of D. odorifera require further detailed research.