Antioxidants are chemical compounds that protect your body cells from damage due to free radicals. They are also known as “scavengers of free radicals”.¹ They include nutrients like vitamins, carotenoids, and flavonoids.² Plant-derived foods including fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices, and nuts are good sources of antioxidants.

Mahogany is one such plant that is rich in antioxidants. It also has a wide variety of medicinal uses. Let us explore the antioxidant properties of mahogany parts here. 

Mahogany and its parts

The mahogany plant is also known as Swietenia mahagoni.³ The mahogany tree can grow up to a height of 10 meters. It is famous for its wood and is used to construct high-quality furniture. The bark of the tree is dark green. The leaves are initially pink in colour and over time turn green. The flowers of the mahogany tree are of a greenish-yellow colour. 

Swietenia mahagoni fruit is also called sky fruit because it grows upright.⁴ The fruit has a woody colour and is barrel-shaped, with a brown coloured seed inside it.⁵ 

Antioxidant effects of mahogany plant

Mahogany trees are well known for their antioxidant properties. This property of mahogany is attributed to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and triterpenoid compounds in different parts of the plant. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help in removing toxins from the body. The bark of the mahogany tree contains a compound called swietenolide, which also has potent antioxidant properties.

In addition, mahogany also plays an important role in digestion and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 

Exploring the antioxidant properties of mahogany

Many bioactive compounds that contribute to their antioxidant activity have been isolated from mahogany plants. Methanolic extracts of Swietenia mahagoni leaves and seeds reveal high concentrations of phenolic compounds.⁶ Leaf extracts have shown increased concentrations of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and triterpenoid compounds.  

Antioxidant compounds in the mahogany plant

Phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds have redox properties that are responsible for their antioxidant activity. Due to their beneficial properties, these compounds are extracted from mahogany plants. 

Phenolic compounds help to remove reactive oxygen species from cells and inhibit the action of free radicals. They also promote the synthesis of antioxidant compounds in cells. They inactivate metal ions, decompose peroxides, and act as oxygen scavengers in the biological system.^{6 7}

Apart from antioxidant properties, phenolic compounds also exhibit inhibitory effects against cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and DNA and lipid oxidation. They help to eliminate reactive oxygen species like peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals and protect the cells from damage due to oxidative processes. 

Flavonoids

Mahogany plants also contain a compound called flavonoids. They too are phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants and help to remove toxins from the body.⁴

Extraction of antioxidants from mahogany

Various methods have been used to extract antioxidants from mahogany plants. These mainly include solvent extraction and steam distillation. 

Solvent extraction

In the solvent extraction technique, a solvent initially penetrates through the solid substance solubilizes the solutes, and then diffuses out of the solid. 

Different solvents used for the extraction of solvents from mahogany plants are methanol, ethanol, acetone, and distilled water. Powdered bark of the tree was used for solvent extraction.⁸

Steam distillation 

Steam distillation is a process where a mixture is vaporized by continuously blowing steam into it or by boiling it with water. It is used for extracting essential oils and aromatic compounds from plants. The mahogany plant is deposited on a screen, and some vaporized water is poured over the plant. Aromatic compounds and essential oils are released once the steam condenses.⁸

Comparison of mahogany with other plants

There is a large variety of antioxidants found in nature with different physical and chemical properties and compositions. They help to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from causing damage to your body. 

The following table gives a brief description of the various chemical compounds found in antioxidant plants and the part of the plant that is used to obtain them.⁹

Other antioxidant-rich plant compounds

Many fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs are rich sources of antioxidants. They contain phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, and essential oils, all of which are antioxidants in nature.¹⁰ Let us explore some natural antioxidants found in other plants.

Stilbenoids

Stilbenoids are phenolic compounds found in peanuts, berries, and grapevines. There are many compounds belonging to the stilbenoids category. However, resveratrol is the only stilbenoid with antioxidant properties. It has antioxidant action against proteins and lipids. Stilbenes reduce oxidative damage and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.¹¹

Terpenes and terpenoids

Orange, lemon, carrots, and plant oils like pine oil are the main sources of terpenes and terpenoids. They have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-ageing properties. 

Lignans

Lignans are antioxidants obtained from flax seeds and sesame seeds. Sesamin and sesamolin obtained from sesame seeds have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Roasted sesame seeds release sesamol, which is mainly responsible for their antioxidant properties.

Tannins

Tannins are another source of antioxidants derived from red beans, lentils, and fava beans. They are also phenolic compounds and are divided into 2 categories: condensed tannins and hydrolyzable tannins. Condensed tannins include gallotannins and ellagitannins, which are the main antioxidant tannin compounds.¹¹

Other health benefits of mahogany tree

Following are the other nutritional and beneficial effects of mahogany trees:

Improved digestive health

The bark of the mahogany tree helps to treat digestive problems like stomach ulcers, diarrhoea, and dysentery.

Anti-inflammatory effect

Mahogany also has anti-inflammatory properties. The bark of mahogany helps to reduce inflammation.

Antimicrobial properties

Studies have shown that mahogany acts against certain bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Swietenolide is a chemical compound isolated from the bark of mahogany that has antibacterial and antifungal properties.⁵

Are there any toxic effects of mahogany?

Consuming mahogany seeds may cause harmful effects on your body. Mahogany seeds contain saponins, which when ingested in large quantities cause gallstones. Saponins also contain steroids.

Flavonoids, when consumed by overdose, may lead to the conversion of antioxidants to pro-oxidants and mutagens that cause damage to your body.¹²

Rare cases of liver failure have been associated with the consumption of mahogany seed extract.¹³ Severity varied from mild liver injuries to liver failure.

FAQs

What are the antioxidant components in mahogany plants?

Mahogany plants contain many antioxidant compounds like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and triterpenoid compounds.

What are the properties of mahogany seed?

Mahogany seeds contain flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, tannins, alkaloids, and anthraquinones. They have strong antioxidant and antibacterial effects.

Are there any toxic effects associated with mahogany plants?

Consumption of mahogany seeds can be harmful to your body. This is due to saponins present in seeds, which can cause gallstones. Too many flavonoids can also damage your body.

Summary

Mahogany is a plant that is rich in antioxidants. This is due to the presence of many bioactive compounds in different parts of the plant. The main antioxidants found in mahogany plants are phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids. They act as oxygen scavengers and protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Apart from antioxidant properties, Swietenia mahagoni also has antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. There are some side effects associated with overconsumption of mahogany seeds. When using mahogany for medicinal purposes, it is better to consult a healthcare provider to ensure its safe and appropriate use.