 Gen info
- Dalbergia cochinchinensis is a threatened hardwood-yieldeding tree, found in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. (2)
- The demand for the rosewood has led to an epidemic of illegal logging and trafficking, threatening species extinction. Conservationsts project the species could be extinct within 10 years (by 2026). (2)
- D. cochinchinensis is one of the eight hongmu species of rare and valuable "redwood" used primariy in the manufacture and trade of antique-style furniture, especially in China.(4)
- In some Asian countries, black market prices have sky-rocketed, making Siam rosewood more valuable than gold. (2)
Botany
Dalbergia cochinchinensis is a slow-growing medium-sized evergreen tree reaching a height of 35 meters, with a spherical, profusely branched crown. Trunk is up to 60 centimeters in diameter, occasionally up to 120 centimeters. Heartwood is red or black, distinctly demarcated from the gray sapwood. Flowers are white, small, and fragratn. Pods are think and papery
 Distribution
- Introduced.
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Threatened, mainly by commercial exploitation.
- IUCN Red List: Threatened, 2009.
Constituents
-Study of heartwoord yielded fifteen flavonoids identified as: pinocembrin (1), liquiritigenin (2), galangin (3), 7-hydroxy- 6-methoxyflavone (4), naringenin (5), alpinetin (6), 2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (7), 6,4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavan (8), mucronulatol (9), 7,8-dihydroxyflavanone (10), 5,7,3′,5′-tetrahydroxyflavanone (11), 4,2′,5′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxychalcone (12), isoliquiritigenin (13), butein (14), and 3′,5′,5,7-tetrahydroxy-6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl- flavanone (15). (5)
- Study of stems yielded three new phenolic compounds (1-3) along with five known phenolics: 4'-hydroxy-2'-methoxychalcone (4), latinone (5), dalbergiphenol (6), 7-hydroxyflavanone (7), and dalbergin (8). (see study below) (6)
Uses
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
Others
- Wood: Red-colored, durable and resistant to termites. Cut wood releases a rose-like fragrance.
- Crafts: Wood used for making high quality furniture, carvings, handicrafts, musical instruments and sewing machines. (7)
- Fuel: Wood used for fuel and making charcoal.
- Dye: Extraction by various organic solvents yields a dye.
Studies
• Flavonoids / Heartwood: Study evaluated the heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis for flavonoids, isolated and purified by combination of silical gel, macroporous resin Sephadex LH20 and ODS column chromatography. Study isolated fifteen flavonoids. (see constituents above) (5)
• Phenolic Constituents / Tested for Inhibitory Activity Against Teestosterone 5α-Reductase / Stems: Study of stems yielded three new phenolic compounds (1-3) along with four known phenolics. The compounds were evaluated for inhbitory activity against testosterone 5α-reductase, which causes androgen-dependent diseases. (Results not available at present) (see constituents above) (6)
Availability
- Cultivated.
- Seeds in the cybermarket.
|
