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<p>Dragon’s Blood is a red resin obtained from several taxonomically distinct plant genera, among which <i>Daemonorops draco</i> (Arecaceae) is one of the important Southeast Asian sources. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemistry, biological activities, quality control considerations, and translational potential of <i>D. draco</i>-derived products. Literature published between 1943 and June 2026 was retrieved from major scientific databases and critically evaluated according to botanical authentication, material category (authenticated resin/extracts, purified natural compounds, synthetic derivatives, and multi-component formulations), phytochemical characterisation, and level of biological evidence. To date, more than one hundred compounds have been reported from <i>D. draco</i>, including flavans, chalcones, flavonoid oligomers, terpenoids, steroids, and the characteristic flavylium pigment native dracorhodin <b>8</b>. Dracorhodin <b>8</b> and related flavylium compounds remain the principal chemical markers for authentication and standardisation, while HPLC, LC–MS, NMR, FTIR, and TLC/HPTLC are the primary analytical techniques used for quality assessment. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, wound-healing, anticancer, and antiosteoclastogenic activities for authenticated <i>D. draco</i> preparations and isolated natural compounds. Among these, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet activities are supported by the strongest preclinical evidence, whereas anti-Alzheimer’s disease, antidiabetic, anti-aging, and anti-fibrotic activities remain preliminary. Importantly, many mechanistic studies have employed purified natural compounds or synthetic derivatives, particularly synthetic dracorhodin perchlorate (DP), and therefore should not be interpreted as direct evidence for native <i>D. draco</i> resin preparations. Furthermore, considerable phytochemical variability associated with geographic origin, plant material, extraction procedures, and commercial processing complicates direct comparisons among studies. Overall, the available evidence supports <i>D. draco</i> as a valuable source of structurally unique phytochemicals with diverse biological activities, while underscoring the need for rigorous botanical authentication, chemical standardisation, and well-designed translational and clinical studies employing authenticated <i>D. draco</i> preparations to substantiate its future pharmacological development.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Phytochemistry, preclinical pharmacology, quality control, and translational perspectives of Daemonorops draco (Dragon’s blood)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Anjar Purba Asmara,
  • Clerance Su Yee Cheong,
  • Muhammad Ridwan Harahap,
  • Tewin Tencomnao,
  • Anchalee Prasansuklab

摘要

Dragon’s Blood is a red resin obtained from several taxonomically distinct plant genera, among which Daemonorops draco (Arecaceae) is one of the important Southeast Asian sources. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemistry, biological activities, quality control considerations, and translational potential of D. draco-derived products. Literature published between 1943 and June 2026 was retrieved from major scientific databases and critically evaluated according to botanical authentication, material category (authenticated resin/extracts, purified natural compounds, synthetic derivatives, and multi-component formulations), phytochemical characterisation, and level of biological evidence. To date, more than one hundred compounds have been reported from D. draco, including flavans, chalcones, flavonoid oligomers, terpenoids, steroids, and the characteristic flavylium pigment native dracorhodin 8. Dracorhodin 8 and related flavylium compounds remain the principal chemical markers for authentication and standardisation, while HPLC, LC–MS, NMR, FTIR, and TLC/HPTLC are the primary analytical techniques used for quality assessment. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, wound-healing, anticancer, and antiosteoclastogenic activities for authenticated D. draco preparations and isolated natural compounds. Among these, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet activities are supported by the strongest preclinical evidence, whereas anti-Alzheimer’s disease, antidiabetic, anti-aging, and anti-fibrotic activities remain preliminary. Importantly, many mechanistic studies have employed purified natural compounds or synthetic derivatives, particularly synthetic dracorhodin perchlorate (DP), and therefore should not be interpreted as direct evidence for native D. draco resin preparations. Furthermore, considerable phytochemical variability associated with geographic origin, plant material, extraction procedures, and commercial processing complicates direct comparisons among studies. Overall, the available evidence supports D. draco as a valuable source of structurally unique phytochemicals with diverse biological activities, while underscoring the need for rigorous botanical authentication, chemical standardisation, and well-designed translational and clinical studies employing authenticated D. draco preparations to substantiate its future pharmacological development.

Graphical abstract