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This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan) is a tropical hardwood tree from Southeast Asia used traditionally for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties [PMID:37687076, PMID:39840104].
Background
Caesalpinia sappan L. is a flowering hardwood tree native to tropical Asia and Southeast Asia [PMID:37687076, PMID:34603037]. Its dried heartwood is utilized as a medicinal plant and a natural dye for food, beverages, and fabrics [PMID:37687076, PMID:26194825].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in China and India to treat gastrointestinal problems, respiratory infections, skin conditions, osteoporosis, wounds, diarrhea, diabetes, and blood stasis [PMID:37687076, PMID:34603037, PMID:40345215]. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to promote blood circulation, eliminate blood stasis, induce detumescence, and provide pain relief [PMID:40345215].
Active compounds
Major bioactive compounds include brazilin (a primary active compound), brazilein, sappan chalcone, protosappanin A, protosappanin B, sappanone A, and hematoxylin [PMID:37687076, PMID:34603037, PMID:37664926, PMID:26194825]. It also contains flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and glycosides [PMID:39840104].
Mechanism of action
Sappanwood exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:37687076, PMID:34603037]. Brazilin can suppress PSMα3 fibrillation and disassemble preformed amyloidal fibrils [PMID:35752334]. In lung cancer cells (A549), it inhibits growth and induces apoptosis by increasing the BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio and arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase [PMID:36128561].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DOxidative Stress (Animal/In Vitro)
Methanol and water extracts significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels while decreasing TBARS in liver and kidney [PMID:14600396]
Evidence DE. coli Infection (Piglets)
Wood extract (500 mg/kg) inhibited E. coli growth with a MIC of 16-34 mg/ml, showing efficacy comparable to enrofloxacin [PMID:38808290]
Ethanolic extract of heartwood inhibits cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury [PMID:30804781]
Evidence DMelanin Synthesis (In Vitro)
Brazilin and 4-O-methylsappanol strongly suppressed melanin synthesis in human melanoma HMV-II cells [PMID:23154842]
Evidence DLung Cancer (In Vitro)
Ethanol extract inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cell lines [PMID:36128561]
Safety & adverse effects
CS heartwood extract is reported as safe and did not produce any acute toxicity [PMID:26194825].
Evidence summary
The evidence is primarily based on review articles (Level C) and in vitro or animal studies (Level D). There are no human clinical trials (Level B) or meta-analyses (Level A) provided in the source text.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 37687076 (2023) — A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds Found in Caesalpinia sappan. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 34603037 (2021) — Protective Effects of Caesalpinia sappan Linn. and Its Bioactive Compounds on Cardiovascular Organs. · Frontiers in pharmacology
3.PMID: 40345215 (2025) — Traditional Uses and Phytochemical and Pharmacological Analyses of Caesalpinia sappan Linn. · Chemistry & biodiversity
5.PMID: 26194825 (2015) — Brazilin from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood and its pharmacological activities: A review.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 38808290 (2024) — Pharmaceutical activity of sappan wood extract (Caesalpinia sappan L.) for treating Escherichia coli infection in piglets. · Open veterinary journal
7.PMID: 23154842 (2013) — Suppression of melanin synthesis by the phenolic constituents of sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan). · Planta medica
8.PMID: 35752334 (2022) — Sappanwood-derived polyphenolic antidote of amyloidal toxins achieved detoxification via inhibition/reversion of amyloidal fibrillation. · International journal of biological macromolecules
9.PMID: 37964017 (2023) — Effects of Encapsulation of Caesalpinia sappan L. with Cyclodextrins for Bovine Mastitis. · AAPS PharmSciTech
10.PMID: 37664926 (2023) — The Effect of an Extract of Sappanwood, Protosappanin A and Protosappanin B on Osteogenesis in Periodontitis. · Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)
11.PMID: 36128561 (2022) — Anticancer activity of Caesalpinia sappan by downregulating mitochondrial genes in A549 lung cancer cell line. · F1000Research
12.PMID: 41291016 (2025) — Caesalpinia sappan is a potent source of multi-functional bioactive compounds. · Scientific reports
13.PMID: 39840104 (2024) — Unlocking the therapeutic mechanism of Caesalpinia sappan: a comprehensive review of its antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry. · Frontiers in pharmacology
14.PMID: 30804781 (2019) — The Ethanolic Extract of Caesalpinia sappan Heartwood Inhibits Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model Through a Multi-Targeted Pharmacological Mechanism. · Frontiers in pharmacology