About Aglaia odorata Lour.
Aglaia odorata Lour. is an evergreen small tree that reaches a height of 2 to 5 meters. It produces multiple branches, and its leaves measure 5 to 12 centimeters long. It bears small golden yellow oval-shaped flowers arranged in racemes, with each flower having 6 petals. Its fruit is red, egg-shaped, around one centimeter long, and contains 1 to 2 seeds.
Many parts of Aglaia odorata, including roots, leaves, flowers, and branches, are used in traditional medicine. Boiling roots in water to make a drink is used to increase appetite. In the Philippines, roots and leaves are used as a tonic. Dried flowers are used to treat mouth ulcers and reduce fever. In China, boiled water infused with dried branches and leaves is used to relieve pain from rheumatic joints, fall injuries, superficial infections, and toxic swelling.
Research on its branches conducted by Yunnan Agricultural University, and research on its roots conducted by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, has found that Aglaia odorata contains two anti-cancer components: rocaglaol, with a molecular weight of 434.48 g/mole, and rocaglamide, with a molecular weight of 505.55 g/mole. These components show significant cytotoxicity against blood cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
