Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 22, 2026 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Medical News: A natural oil extracted from the heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera, a medicinal tree long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, may help protect the heart from a dangerous form of microscopic blood vessel damage. Researchers in China have found that the volatile oil from the plant significantly improved blood flow in the heart, reduced inflammation, and blocked harmful immune processes that can worsen cardiovascular injury.
Traditional Chinese rosewood oil was found to improve heart microcirculation and block harmful immune traps
linked to cardiovascular damage.
The study was conducted by scientists from the School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, the National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and the Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Effective Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, all located in Jiangxi, China.
A Hidden Threat Inside the Heart
Many cardiovascular diseases are linked not only to blocked major arteries but also to dysfunction in the heart’s tiny blood vessels, a condition known as myocardial microcirculatory dysfunction. When these microscopic vessels fail to deliver adequate blood and oxygen, heart tissue can become damaged even when larger arteries appear normal.
This condition is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal immune activity. Over time, it can contribute to chest pain, heart failure, recurrent cardiac events, and even sudden death.
To investigate potential treatments, researchers focused on Dalbergia odorifera, commonly known as fragrant rosewood. The plant has traditionally been used to improve blood circulation and relieve pain, but the precise biological mechanisms behind its cardiovascular benefits have remained unclear.
Testing the Volatile Oil
The research team extracted volatile oil from the heartwood of the plant and analyzed its major compounds. The oil was found to be rich in sesquiterpenes, with trans-nerolidol accounting for more than 60 percent of the detected active components.
Scientists then created a model of heart microcirculation damage in rats by injecting tiny polyethylene microspheres into the heart's blood vessels. These particles produced blockages that mimicked microvascular dysfunction.
The results were striking. Animals treated with the volatile oil showed significant improvements in heart blood flow, blood pressure, and overall circulation. Tissue examinations revealed much less bleeding, inflammation, and structural damage around blocked vessels compared to untreated animals.
Higher doses of the oil produced the strongest protective effects, with heart tissue appearing much closer to normal.
Blocking Harmful Immune Traps
One of the most important discoveries involved structures known as neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs. These are sticky web-like networks released by immune cells called neutrophils.
While NETs help capture bacteria and other threats, excessive producti
on can become harmful. They can clog tiny blood vessels, trigger clot formation, damage blood vessel linings, and amplify inflammation.
Researchers found that animals with microcirculatory dysfunction had dramatically elevated levels of NET-related markers. Treatment with the Dalbergia odorifera oil sharply reduced these markers and lowered the number of activated neutrophils.
The oil also suppressed key proteins involved in NET formation, including PAD4 and myeloperoxidase (MPO), suggesting that it directly interferes with the process that creates these damaging immune traps.
Reduced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
The team also observed significant reductions in inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Levels of reactive oxygen species, which contribute to oxidative stress and tissue injury, were likewise reduced.
To confirm the findings, the researchers conducted laboratory experiments using neutrophil-like human cells. The oil again reduced inflammatory signaling and strongly inhibited NET formation, reinforcing the idea that its protective effects extend beyond the animal model.
This
Medical News report highlights an emerging area of cardiovascular research where controlling excessive immune responses may be just as important as improving blood flow itself.
Promising Future for Cardiovascular Care
The researchers concluded that Dalbergia odorifera volatile oil protects the heart’s microcirculation through multiple mechanisms. By reducing oxidative stress, lowering inflammation, suppressing neutrophil recruitment, and preventing the formation of damaging neutrophil extracellular traps, the oil was able to significantly lessen cardiac microvascular injury. Although further studies are needed to identify the most active compounds and confirm benefits in chronic human cardiovascular diseases, the findings provide compelling evidence that this traditional medicinal extract could become a valuable future therapy for protecting the heart and improving microvascular health.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Pharmaceuticals.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/19/6/959
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Medical Disclaimer: All content published by Thailand Medical News is based on scientific research and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers must not attempt to use, apply, or experiment with any protocols, compounds, or therapies mentioned without first consulting a qualified and licensed medical doctor. Many findings discussed are experimental or preliminary, and only a licensed healthcare professional can determine what is safe and appropriate for an individual’s specific medical condition.
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