Abstract
Agarwood, a highly prized traditional medicinal material and natural spice, holds significant economic and medicinal value. Widely utilized as a fragrant agent, it is also employed in the treatment of diverse ailments, including rheumatism, fever, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and gastrointestinal or reproductive disorders. These functions are primarily attributed to the accumulation of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (PECs), a class of bioactive compounds. In recent years, PECs have emerged as critical components in the development of agarwood-derived pharmaceuticals and commercial products, garnering substantial scientific attention. This review consolidates current advancements in the structure and function of PECs and examines and discusses the structural genes and regulatory transcription factors associated with PECs biosynthesis. By synthesizing this knowledge, this review establishes a foundation for elucidating the complete biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms governing PECs production, thereby facilitating future research and applications.