• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted to clarify the effects of agarwood on histamine release from mast cells in rats and on the scratching behaviors in mice. Methods: Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 or concanavalin A (Con A) and compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice were examined to investigate the effects of agarwood. The hyaluronidase activity and the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in mast cells were examined to investigate the mechanisms for the inhibition of histamine release. The correlation between the inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release and the content of its typical ingredients, a 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography. Results: Agarwood showed an inhibitory effect on mast-cell histamine release induced by compound 48/80 or Con A without any effect on hyaluronidase activity; this effect involves an increase in the cAMP levels in mast cells. Oral administration of agarwood showed an inhibitory effect on compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice. The inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release were quite different, depending on the area where the agarwood was produced, its quality, and its market price. No correlation was found between the inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release and the typical ingredients of agarwood, which are 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives. Conclusion: These results show that agarwood inhibits histamine release from mast cells partially through an increase in the cAMP levels in cells. We suggest that some active ingredients of agarwood must be effective on oral intake and that agarwood can be used to treat patients with a number of conditions, including urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and bronchial asthma, in which an increase in histamine release occurs. Differences in the pharmacological effects of this crude drug among markets may provide important information for the quality control of this herbal medicine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2019

Objectives : In spite of the difficulty of getting Agarwood, the number of species of wild Agarwood is rapidly decreasing by insistent demands. Here, we investigate how various formula of Agarwood is used so that we can make use of them more helpful in clinics today. Methods : Determining the range of 'the Sovereign and Minister' component more than 12.96%" or 'equally used', this study distinguished whether Agarwood is used as 'the Sovereign and Minister' component among 409 Agarwood formulas in "Sheng ji zong lu(聖濟總錄)" and 103 Agarwood formulas in "Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑)". Additionally, we analyzed the component ratio of Agarwood, and also the usage in Deficiency-Excess pattern. Results : Among Agarwood formulas in "Sheng ji zong lu" and "Donguibogam", each percentage of Agarwood formulas which Agarwood comprises 'the Sovereign and Minister' component was 26%(106/406) and 13%(13/99). Analyzing these formulas of "Sheng ji zong lu", 53 formulas were used in Deficiency pattern and other 53 formulas were used in Excess pattern. Also in "Donguibogam", 6 formulas were used in each Deficiency pattern and Excess pattern, and only 1 formula in both of Deficiency and Excess pattern. Conclusions : Showing almost equal ratio of usage in Deficiency-Excess pattern, this study showed that those Agarwood formulas of "Sheng ji zong lu" and "Donguibogam" which Agarwood comprises 'the Sovereign and Minister' component can be used in both Deficiency-Excess pattern evenly.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1-27
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the modern research achievements of agarwood and its association with the efficacy of herbal medicine based on the in vivo and in vitro activities of volatile compounds detected in agarwood. Methods : Databases such as PubMed and ScienceOn were searched for medicinal in vivo and in vitro activity studies on agarwood. They were categorized into "medicine and pharmacy" and "others not related to medicine and pharmacy," and the studies on medicine and pharmacy were organized according to active efficacy. The efficacy and virtue of agarwood as identified in the book (or herbal medicine/herbology) corresponded to modern medical terms and diseases in reference to the . Separately, the Gas Chromatography & Mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis results of agarwood from a total of 5 production areas of Aquilaria crassna from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia as identified in previous studies were consulted to search for research papers on the medicinal activity of the 13 compounds of the aromatic sesquiterpene family detected in agarwood, and they were categorized according to topic. Results : There were 123 studies on the medicinal activity of agarwood. Overall, 46 studies on single extracts of agarwood reported activities such as improving mental health, including anti-anxiety and stability, and antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and digestive system protective effects. In total, 59 papers on the activities of single compounds isolated from agarwood reported anti-inflammatory and mental health benefits. Separately, 13 compounds detected in agarwood, such as α-agarofuran and β-caryophyllene, were reported by 110 studies to have anticancer, stabilizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. There were also papers on the cultivation methods and resin formation conditions of agarwood trees unrelated to the efficacy of herbal medicine. Conclusion : Among the pharmacological papers, a total of 57 papers corresponded to the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine, including 33 papers related to agarwood extracts and 24 papers analyzing 8 types of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and cedrol, from previous studies. Based on the research findings of each paper, it was possible to correlate the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine with the achievements of modern pharmacological research. In addition, further research is anticipated in new areas related to traditional herbal medicine, including the improvement of mental health such as anti-depression, as well as activities related to anticancer, antioxidant, and hair growth.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of four different kinds of agarwood and analysis chemical constituents by GC-MS. Methods : Four source plants were two of Vietnamese agarwood, Indonesian agarwood and Myanmar agarwood. These plant materials were named sample No. 1-4. The chemical constituents of each agarwood were analysed by GC-MS. Results : GC-MS analysis showed that ${\beta}$-selinene was found in all the samples. The Vietnamese agarwood, Sample 1, and 4 has contained 6.861% and 7.497% of ${\beta}$-selinene and reached the highest level at the retention times 46.245 and 46.274 (min). Sample 2, the Myanmar agarwood has contained 1.608%, the lowest level of ${\beta}$-selinene, and it also has contained about 20% of ${\alpha}-,{\beta}-,{\gamma}$-eudesmol and 4.076% of valerianol. Sample 3, the Indonesian agarwood has contained 9.59% of ${\beta}$-selinene, 9.493% of ${\beta}$-selinene and shown its highest level (more than 19%) at the retention time 43.998 (min). Conclusion : It suggested that ${\beta}$-selinene could be a standard marker to evaluate agarwood by GC-MS analysis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2021

Agarwood (Aquilaria spp) has high economic value. However, essential oil production from agarwood is a time-consuming process. Additionally, agarwood leaves have not been utilized even though they contain various bioactive ingredients. In this study, agarwood leaves were fermented using Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 with or without Stevia (4, 8, and 12%; v/v). The fermented fluid was mixed with maltodextrin (15%; w/v) and subjected to spray drying (inlet temperature, 120℃; outlet temperature, 65-70℃). The contents of polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids and the viability of L. plantarum were determined. Fermentation enhanced the levels of bioactive compounds. The contents of polyphenol (69.19 ± 4.05 mg GAE/g of sample), polysaccharide (20.75 ± 0.98 mg GE/g of sample), saponin (305.23 ± 4.21 mg OAE/g of sample), and flavonoid (7.86 ± 0.72 mg QE/g of sample), and the viability of L. plantarum (8.72 ± 0.17 log CFU/ml) were markedly upregulated in the samples containing Stevia (12%; v/v). This indicated that the supplementation of Stevia during fermentation decreases the fermentation time (9 h), upregulates bioactive compound production in agarwood leaves, enhances microencapsulation during spray drying, and increases the viability of L. plantarum under simulated gastric digestion conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

Deterioration of the immune function weakens the body's resistance to various infections, leading to a series of diseases. Immunomodulatory biomaterials have been used to reduce the side effects of immunosuppressants or to enhance immunity. Agarwood is the aromatic resinous portion of Aquilaria trees that has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases. Although previous studies have shown that agarwood can improve the body's immunity, evidence for this claim is still lacking. In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of the agarwood methanol extracts of Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk were evaluated in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Based on the results, the agarwood extracts markedly enhanced phagocytosis in the absence of cytotoxicity. The agarwood extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells exhibited the typical morphology of activated macrophages, which are spindle-shaped with elongated filopodia. Agarwood extract also significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase. Moreover, the secretion and expression levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were increased by agarwood treatment. Notably, these are also associated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence that agarwood has potential immune-enhancing effects in vitro.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.536-545
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of agarwood (Thymelaeaceae) inhalation using an electric incense burner on stress and brain waves. Sixteen participants were included in the study during the period from September 2019 to April 2020. Participant recruitment was undertaken by the 'H' center. This paper focused on stress reduction and compared the differences in stress and brain waves before and after agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner. Electroencephalography was measured by a 19 Channel, Brainmaster Discovery, and analyzed using a NeuroGuide, LORETA (Brain Mapping). The analysis of technical statistics was carried out using SPSS/WIN 21.0 and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The study observed that the stress response index was reduced by a significance level of 0.01 in patients with anxiety, depression, and somatization disorders after agarwood inhalation. Secondly, alpha waves were increased by a significance level of 0.05, in 18 out of 19 regions measured, except FP 1. The difference after agarwood inhalation was the most significant in the region that affects emotion. Thirdly, a LORETA analysis found that alpha waves were increased in the brain region (BA 40) predominantly responsible for memory and emotion. This result clarifies that agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner reduced stress and had a positive effect on brain waves and hence, has potential as an alternative therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.459-471
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• 2019

Several species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops are native to Indonesia and well known as agarwood-producing trees with a high economic value. Their bioactive compounds have a wide spectrum of uses, such as in medicine and cosmetics. These genera have undergone extensive search for novel bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize the endophytic fungi community associated with Aquilaria malaccensis, A. microcarpa, Gyrinops versteegii, and A. crassna trees and investigate their bioactive properties as antioxidant agents and antagonists. A total of 50 fungi were successfully isolated from different tissues of the four species of agarwood-producing trees. Two isolates exhibited strong antioxidant activity, namely, Apodus oryzae (R2MC3A, $IC_{50}$ 60.92 mg/mL) and Diaporthe sp. (P1DS1[C], $IC_{50}$ 76.65 mg/mL). Two isolates, Pestalotiopsis theae (P3BS3[B]) and Curvularia sp. (P2CD3A), showed >75% antifungal activity against pathogenic Fusarium solani. The results revealed that endophytic fungi associated with the studied agarwood-producing trees had potential antioxidant and antifungal activities for further applications in biotechnology.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.29-36
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to fix the synonyms, origin, formation mechanism, description, and efficacy of Hwangnapchim in Elucidation of Materia Medica. Methods : Through searching histories and herbal classics, We categorized the contents, and compared with Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum. Results : The synonyms of Hwangnapchim were classified by 3 categories : Napchimhyang-type, Ganamhyang-type and Ginamhyang-type. In early period, it was called by Napchimhyang-type, named after its description that was similar to beeswax. Afterward it was called by Ganamhyang-type or Ginamhyang-type, because of the name "Kynam" that was called by in its producing region. And there were records of producing region of Vietnam, Cambodia, and being from abroad, while those of Vietnam were most frequent. According to custom duties of Ming Dynasty, Hwangnapchim was 17.5 times as expensive as Agarwood. Hwangnapchim shared main producing region, original plant, and process of formation with Agarwood. Therefore, its original plant was Aquilaria crassna, but added honey during formation process. Hwangnapchim was classified 5 types according to its description, the highest quality was Yu-gyeol, resembled beeswax, and easily recovered if get a scar. Hwangnapchim had a fragrance at room temperature, a spicy flavor, and the efficacy of blocking urine and feces. Conclusions : These results showed that Vietnam was major producing area of Hwangnapchim, and that it shared same origin with Agarwood, but it had different description, efficacy, and higher prices because of being added honey during formation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.97-101
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this research is to identify the actual origin species imported as Aquilaria malaccensis from Indonesia. Methods : After producing the permanent preparat by cutting off the specimen thinly, we observed its characteristics. Results : The imported ones have not interxylary parenchyma, so none is in the genus aquilaria. Since the aliform parenchyma is mostly observed around the vessel pore, they are in the genus gonystylus, and the rest have no aliform parenchyma, so their specimen is unidentified. Conclusion : The imported as A. malaccensis are not in the genus aquilaria, but most of them are in the genus gonystylus and, for the rest, the specimen is unidentified.