Comparison of the anatomic structure of the wood and flavonoid composition of the extracts of Jiangzhenxiang and Dalbergia odorifera

Abstract Jiangzhenxiang—the resinous material formed in Dalbergia pinnata — exhibits dense texture, attractive grain patterns, and abundant inclusions, frequently being substituted for or combined with Dalbergia odorifera as the traditional Chinese medicine “Jiangxiang.” Investigating their physicochemical characteristics and clarifying their distinctions will facilitate optimized material utilization. Comparative anatomical analysis through sectioning revealed three key differences: (1) Jiangzhenxiang exhibits more densely distributed vessels, frequently occluded with reddish-brown gum deposits, whereas such deposits are rarely observed in D. odorifera ; (2) its wood rays in Jiangzhenxiang are predominantly uniseriate and non-storied, while  D. odorifera  possesses predominantly multiseriate rays accompanied by a distinctly storied arrangement of all axial elements; (3) axial parenchyma in Jiangzhenxiang is primarily vasicentric and paratracheal banded (2–5 cells wide), whereas  D. odorifera  displays aliform, confluent, paratracheal banded, and apotracheal banded configurations. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of wood extracts identified 18 flavonoid compounds and the suggestion of 17 flavonoids in Jiangzhenxiang for the first time, primarily comprising flavonoids, dihydroflavonoids, isoflavones, and chalcones showing compositional congruence with D. odorifera . Both species shared dominant constituents including liquiritigenin, formononetin, calycosin, and isoliquiritigenin. Quantitative variations emerged notably in calycosin and isorhamnetin levels (significantly higher in Jiangzhenxiang, contrasted with fisetin, butin, medicarpin, and dalbergin concentrations [markedly lower than D. odorifera ]). This study delineates microstructural distinctions in vessel pores, wood rays, and axial parenchyma while pioneering the identification of principal flavonoids in Jiangzhenxiang. These findings establish a scientific foundation for its rational application in wood utilization and herbal medicine, particularly regarding its substitutive potential for D. odorifera .