Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 Aug 25;28(17):6247.
doi: 10.3390/molecules28176247.

A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds Found in Caesalpinia sappan

Affiliations
Review

A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds Found in Caesalpinia sappan

Twinkle Vij et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan) is a tropical hardwood tree found in Southeast Asia. Sappan wood contains a water-soluble compound, which imparts a red color named brazilin. Sappan wood is utilized to produce dye for fabric and coloring agents for food and beverages, such as wine and meat. As a valuable medicinal plant, the tree is also known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It has been observed that sappan wood contains various bioactive compounds, including brazilin, brazilein, sappan chalcone, and protosappanin A. It has also been discovered that these substances have various health advantages; they lower inflammation, enhance blood circulation, and are anti-oxidative in nature. Sappan wood has been used as a medicine to address a range of illnesses, such as gastrointestinal problems, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Studies have also suggested that sappan wood may have anticarcinogenic potential as it possesses cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Based on this, the present review emphasized the different medicinal properties, the role of phytochemicals, their health benefits, and several food and nonfood applications of sappan wood. Overall, sappan wood has demonstrated promising medicinal properties and is an important resource in traditional medicine. The present review has explored the potential role of sappan wood as an essential source of bioactive compounds for drug development.

Keywords: Brazilwood; Indian Redwood; Suou; chemical constituents; coloring agent; heartwood; sappan wood.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Major metabolites recognized from Caesalpinia sappan with identified chemical structures.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structure of (a) brazilin and (b) brazilein.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagrammatic representation of the extraction process that affects the Sappan lignum biological activity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Various methods of extracting bioactive compounds.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Different commercial applications of sappan wood.

References

    1. Badami S., Moorkoth S. Caesalpinia sappan–A medicinal and dye yielding plant. Nat. Prod. Radiance. 2004;3
    1. Thanayutsiri T., Patrojanasophon P., Opanasopit P., Ngawhirunpat T., Laiwattanapaisal W., Rojanarata T. Rapid and efficient microwave-assisted extraction of Caesalpinia sappan Linn. heartwood and subsequent synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Green. Process. Synth. 2023;12:20228109. doi: 10.1515/gps-2022-8109. - DOI
    1. Mekala K., Radha R. A Review on Sappan Wood-A Therapeutic Dye Yielding Tree. Res. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. 2015;7:227. doi: 10.5958/0975-4385.2015.00035.7. - DOI
    1. Mathew G., Skaria B.P., Mathew S., Joy P.P. Caesalpinia Sappan-an Economic Medicinal Tree for the Tropics; Proceedings of the National Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for the Economic Benefit of Rural People (MAPER); Thiruvananthapuram, India. 16–18 February 2007; pp. 1–7.
    1. Rosniawaty S., Anjarsari I.R.D., Sudirja R., Mubarok S., Fatmawati D. Effect of growth regulators and organic matter on the growth of Sappan wood seedlings (Caesalpinia sappan L.) Res. Crops. 2023;24:198–209. doi: 10.31830/2348-7542.2023.ROC-896. - DOI