Aquilaria agallocha
Also known as: Aquilaria malaccensis, Agarwood, Aloeswood, Eaglewood, Aquilaria agallocha
Overview
Aquilaria agallocha, also known as Agarwood, Aloeswood, or Eaglewood, is a tree species renowned for producing a highly fragrant, dark resin. This resin forms as a defense mechanism in response to fungal infection or injury to the tree. Historically, agarwood has been highly valued in traditional medicine systems, particularly across Asia, as well as in perfumery and incense production. Various parts of the plant, including the wood, leaves, and resin, are utilized for their purported therapeutic properties, which include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. While extensive research, primarily preclinical and in vitro, has focused on the phytochemical characterization and pharmacological activities of Aquilaria agallocha and related species (e.g., A. crassna), there is a notable scarcity of high-quality clinical evidence, such as randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews, directly supporting its efficacy and safety in humans. The current body of evidence suggests promising biological activities, but further human-based research is crucial for validating these traditional uses.
Benefits
Aquilaria agallocha demonstrates several potential health benefits, primarily supported by preclinical and in vitro studies: * **Analgesic Activity:** Animal studies, such as those involving mice in hot plate and tail flick tests, have shown that extracts of Aquilaria agallocha can increase pain reaction time, suggesting potential pain-relieving properties. The evidence for this benefit is moderate, based on animal models, and lacks human clinical validation. * **Antidiabetic Potential:** Research indicates that Aquilaria agallocha extracts can inhibit key enzymes like α-glucosidase and α-amylase, which are involved in carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption. This mechanism could help reduce post-meal blood glucose spikes. Some evidence also suggests it may promote adiponectin secretion, a hormone beneficial for insulin sensitivity. The strength of evidence is moderate, derived from in vitro and animal studies, with no human clinical trials. * **Antioxidant Activity:** Agarwood extracts exhibit significant antioxidant capacity in various radical scavenging assays. This suggests that the plant's compounds can neutralize harmful free radicals, potentially offering protection against oxidative stress-related diseases. This benefit is supported by moderate evidence from in vitro studies. * **Antimicrobial Effects:** Leaf extracts of Aquilaria agallocha have shown antibacterial activity against common pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Escherichia coli*. This effect is thought to be due to the disruption of bacterial cell walls and inhibition of biofilm formation. The evidence is moderate, based on in vitro studies. * **Neuroprotective Effects:** Components isolated from related Aquilaria species, such as stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and clionasterol, have demonstrated protective effects against neurotoxicity and age-related neurological decline in preclinical models. This area of benefit is supported by moderate preclinical evidence, requiring further investigation.
How it works
The therapeutic effects of Aquilaria agallocha are attributed to its rich array of bioactive compounds, including 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromones, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and sterols. Its antidiabetic potential stems from the inhibition of digestive enzymes like α-glucosidase and α-amylase, which reduces the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates, thereby helping to manage blood glucose levels. The antimicrobial action may involve disrupting bacterial cell wall synthesis and preventing the formation of biofilms, which are protective layers for bacteria. Antioxidant effects are primarily due to polyphenols and flavonoids, which scavenge free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress. While the exact molecular targets for neuroprotective effects are still being investigated, they are thought to involve the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways within the nervous system.
Side effects
Based on current research, the safety profile of Aquilaria agallocha appears favorable in animal models, but comprehensive human safety data are severely lacking. Toxicity studies in mice have shown no significant toxic reactions or mortality at very high doses (up to 2000 mg/kg) over a 14-day period, suggesting a wide safety margin in these animal models. However, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans, and there are no clinical trials available to confirm its tolerability or identify potential adverse effects in people. As a result, specific side effects, their severity, and frequency in humans remain unknown. Furthermore, potential drug interactions with prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or other supplements have not been systematically studied. There are also no established contraindications for its use. Due to the limited human data and the potential variability in the chemical composition of different extracts, caution is strongly advised. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, those taking medications, or pregnant/nursing women should avoid using Aquilaria agallocha until more robust human safety data become available.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established clinical dosing guidelines for Aquilaria agallocha due to the absence of human randomized controlled trials. The available preclinical studies utilize a wide range of doses and various extract preparations (e.g., ethanol, methanol, aqueous), making direct translation to human dosing challenging. The extraction method significantly influences the yield and bioactivity of the phytochemicals, further complicating dosage standardization. For instance, doses used in animal studies, such as 2000 mg/kg in mice for toxicity assessment, are not indicative of therapeutic doses for humans. Without human clinical data, it is impossible to define minimum effective doses, optimal dosing regimens, or maximum safe upper limits. Therefore, any use of Aquilaria agallocha as a supplement should be approached with extreme caution, and it is not recommended for self-administration until robust clinical research provides clear dosage recommendations and safety thresholds.
FAQs
Is Aquilaria agallocha effective for diabetes?
Preclinical studies show it can inhibit enzymes relevant to glucose control, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects. However, there are no human clinical trials to confirm its efficacy for diabetes management in people.
Is Aquilaria agallocha safe to use?
Animal studies suggest low toxicity at high doses, indicating a favorable safety profile in animals. However, human safety data are lacking, and its effects and potential side effects in people are unknown.
How is Aquilaria agallocha typically administered?
Traditionally, it has been used as resin, extracts, or powders. Modern supplements may vary widely in their preparation and form, but no standardized administration methods exist for clinical use.
How long does it take to see effects from Aquilaria agallocha?
The onset of effects in humans is unknown due to a lack of clinical trials. Animal studies have shown acute effects within hours to days, but this may not translate to human experience.
Research Sources
- https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1596_pdf.pdf – This review and animal study investigated the analgesic activity of Aquilaria agallocha. It demonstrated significant analgesic effects in mice using hot plate and tail flick tests, suggesting potential pain-relieving properties. The study highlights preclinical evidence but notes the absence of human data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11597494/ – This experimental study focused on the in vitro enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Aquilaria agallocha. It found that extracts effectively inhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase enzymes, and exhibited strong antioxidant capacity, providing mechanistic insights into its potential antidiabetic and protective effects.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11422227/ – This review compiled preclinical data on Aquilaria agallocha, including an animal toxicity study in mice that showed no toxicity at high doses (2000 mg/kg) over 14 days. It also described antimicrobial and neuroprotective effects, indicating promising pharmacological activities but emphasizing the need for human clinical validation.
