Review of Potential Pharmacological Activities of Agarwood Plants (Aquilaria Sp.) as Herbal Medicine and Development as Potential Herbal Preparations

Aquilaria spp is a tropical plant known for producing valuable aromatic resin. Although the resin has been widely used, the leaves of Aquilaria, especially Aquilaria sinensis, Aquilaria malaccensis, and Aquilaria crassna, are often considered waste. However, recent studies have shifted the focus to the pharmacological potential of these leaves, highlighting their use in traditional medicine and their potential as active ingredients in herbal medicine development. These Aquilaria species have demonstrated a broad spectrum of bioactivity and are currently being explored for inclusion in modern drug delivery systems, including nanoemulsions and nanoencapsulation techniques. Therefore, this review aims to systematically investigate the pharmacological potential of Aquilaria leaves and contribute to the scientific foundation for future efforts in herbal medicine development and drug formulation. To collect relevant scientific information, a comprehensive search was conducted using major academic databases, including ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed, with a focus on leaf extracts from the three species mentioned above. The results indicate that Aquilaria malaccensis, Aquilaria sinensis, and Aquilaria crassna possess various pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties. These pharmacological benefits can be attributed to bioactive secondary metabolites, including flavonoids such as apigenin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In conclusion, Aquilaria leaves have significant potential as a source of therapeutic agents for the development of herbal medicines. Further multidisciplinary studies are recommended, including biochemical characterisation, bioavailability studies, clinical investigations, and the development of modern drug delivery technologies, such as nanoparticle-based systems, which can enhance the absorption and therapeutic efficacy of active compounds.