• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 2022

Objectives : Aquilaria crassna is a traditional herbal medicine, which is used to treat allergies, diabetes, neurological diseases. Recently, Aquilaria crassna extracts have been reported in anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, various solvents fraction of Aquilaria crassna were investigated on various physiological activities. Methods : According to the polarity, the solvents fraction of Aquilaria crassna were confirmed through TLC, and the activities of the extracts were confirmed in anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, whitening, anti-gout, and anti-inflammation. Results : TLC results showed that ACM and ACM/E have similar patterns and most of the components were transferred to ACM/E. Treatment with ACM and ACM/E fraction were significantly decreased the generation of NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. Analysis of biological activities such as α-glucosidase, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B), tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase (XO) and pancreatic lipase inhibition, showed that ACM and ACM/E have more inhibitory effects than other fractions. Conclusions : Therefore, the results of the present study clearly demonstrate that Aquilaria crassna and its constituents might be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of immune-regulating effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is correct the scientific name of Aquilariae Lignum in Korean Herbal Pharmacoepia. Methods : The production areas of Aquilariae Lignum and its trading status with China in Chinese history, Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, Naming year and the discovered district in main Aquilaria spp., Several nation's Pharmacoepia, The Plant List(TPL), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora(CITES) and The International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) were cross-checked. Results : The records in the Jiaozhouyiwuzhi written in the early 2nd century said that Aquilariae Lignum was produced in Vietnam. NanfangCaomuZhuang written in 304 said that Agarwood in Vietnam had white flowers. Vietnam had led production and trading of Aquilariae Lignum until Qing Dynasty. Aquilariae Lignum from Malaysia and Indonesia was not traded with China. In Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, India Aquilariae Lignum was translated as Vietnam Aquilariae Lignum. Aquilaria malaccensis was discovered from Malay-Peninsular in 1783, and has green or dirty yellow flowers. A. agallocha from North-Eastern India in 1814, white flowers. A. crasssna from Vietnam in 1914, white flowers. A. crassna is different from A. malaccensis in several ways, such as flower, fruit, seed and disribution. In several Nation's Pharmacoepia, A. crassna was a synonym of A. agallocha. But in TPL, CITES and IUCN, A. malaccensis was an accepted name, and A. agallocha was a synonym of A. malaccensis. Conclusions : These results show that the original species of Aquilariae Lignum in Korea Herbal Pharmacoepia should be reversed from A. agallocha to A. crassna Pierre ex Lacomte.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.163-168
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the origin of Aquilariae Lignum. Method : Firstly identify the production areas of Aquilariae Lignum and its trading status with China in Chinese history through Chinese historical books such as Twenty-Five Histories(二十五史) and the records of the Chosun Dynasty and then, compare the distribution of the genus Aquilaria in the concerned areas. Result : Since the records in the NanfangCaomuZhuang(南方草木狀) written in 304 saying that Aquilariae Lignum was produced in Vietnam and had white flowers, Vietnam had led production and trading of Aquilariae Lignum until Qing Dynasty(淸代). Even though Thailand traded Aquilariae Lignum during Qing Dynasty, however, the volume was at a low level. Aquilariae Lignum from southern Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia was rated as low quality and low-priced because of its fishy smell and strong flavor. Conclusion : These results show that the origin of Aquilariae Lignum comes from Vietnam and this species is distinguished from the ones of Indodesia or Malaysia.

• 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.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.