Aglaia is a genus of 121 recognised species of woody dioecious[2] trees in the mahogany family Meliaceae. They occur in the subtropical and tropical forests of Southeast Asia, northern Australia and the Pacific.[not verified in body]

Aglaia
Aglaia roxburghiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Tracheophytes
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Sapindales
Family:Meliaceae
Subfamily:Melioideae
Genus:Aglaia
Lour.
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Aglaiopsis Miq.
    • Amoora Roxb.
    • Camunium Roxb.
    • Euphora Griff.
    • Hearnia F.Muell.
    • Lepidaglaia Pierre
    • Merostela Pierre
    • Nialel Adans.
    • Nimmoia Wight
    • Oraoma Turcz.

Some species are important timber trees; others have scented flowers, or medicinal properties (the edible fruits duku or langsat have now been placed in the genus Lansium). Many have complex biological relationships with their dispersal agents.[not verified in body]

Phytochemistry

Species in the genus Aglaia synthesize a unique class of highly bioactive chemical compounds known as flavaglines. Over 50 unique compounds of this class have been described so far, including rocaglamide, aglafoline, silvestrol, pannellin, episilvestrol, and ponapensin.[3][4][5][6][7] They are known for their anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal properties. Several of these compounds have been shown to be exceptional therapeutic agents for cancer chemotherapy, however further research is needed to develop medicines.[3]

Species

As of 9 April 2024, there are 121 species are accepted by Plants of the World Online,[1] as follows:

References

  • Pannell, C.M. (1992). A taxonomic monograph of the genus Aglaia Lour. (Meliaceae). Kew Bulletin Additional Series. Vol. XV1. London: HMSO. ISBN 978-0-11-250067-4.
  • Pannell, C.M. (1997). Dranseld, J.; et al. (eds.). Solving problems in the taxonomy of Aglaia (Meliaceae): functional syndromes and the biological monograph. Pl. Div. Mal. Vol. III. pp. 163–170.
  • Satasook, C.; Isman, M.B.; Ishibashi, F.; Medbury, S.; Wiriyachitra, P.; Towers, G.H.N. (1994), "Insecticidal bioactivity of crude extracts of Aglaia species (Meliaceae)", Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 22 (2): 121–7, Bibcode:1994BioSE..22..121S, doi:10.1016/0305-1978(94)90002-7
  • "Aglaia Lour". Atlas of Living Australia.