Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Dalbergia Species

The genus Dalbergia encompasses over 250 tropical and subtropical tree species renowned for their richly hued heartwood and pharmacologically active extracts. Heartwood, bark and roots yield diverse secondary metabolites—predominantly flavonoids, isoflavonoids, neoflavonoids, arylbenzofurans and sesquiterpenes—that underpin a broad spectrum of biological activities. Extracts and isolated compounds demonstrate antimicrobial and antifungal potency, robust free-radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, as well as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and vasorelaxant effects. Certain pterocarpans and isoflavanones selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines through modulation of signalling cascades such as JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways. Advanced chromatographic and spectrometric approaches have enabled quantitative profiling of key constituents, facilitating standardisation of herbal preparations by linking organoleptic parameters with bioactive content. Ethnopharmacological traditions in Asia and Africa have long exploited Dalbergia species for cardiovascular, metabolic and rheumatic conditions, and ongoing research continues to transform traditional knowledge into candidates for novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Dalbergia Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and biological activities of dalbergia species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Flavonoids: A class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites with a core 15-carbon skeleton that contribute to antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities.

Isoflavonoids: A subclass of flavonoids characterised by a 3-phenylchroman backbone, often with bioactive properties such as antimicrobial and anti-oestrogenic effects.

Prenylation: The enzymatic addition of hydrophobic prenyl groups to molecules, enhancing their lipophilicity and interaction with biological membranes.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of a compound that prevents visible growth of a microorganism in vitro.

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB): A transcription factor that regulates genes involved in inflammation, immunity and cell survival.

References

1. Correlation between Colour Traits and Intrinsic Quality of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum. Molecules (2023).
2. Prenylated Isoflavanones with Antimicrobial Potential from the Root Bark of Dalbergia melanoxylon. Metabolites (2023).
3. 4-Methoxydalbergione suppresses growth and induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo xenograft model through down-regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Oncotarget (2016).
4. Dalbergiones lower the inflammatory response in oral cells in vitro. Clinical Oral Investigations (2022).