75-82Natural products have provided a variety of lead structures, which serve as
templates for the development of new drugs. The water kept in Caesalpinia
sappan Linn. (Sappan lignum) heartwood is being used in Kerala as
herbal drinking water for its antithirst, blood purifying, antidiabetic,
improvement of complexion and several other properties. The plant is also being
used worldwide for a large number of traditional medicinal purposes. Modern day
research confirms its cytotoxic, antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral,
immunostimulant and several other activities. Several triterpenoids, flavonoids,
oxygen heterocycles, etc. were isolated. Brazilin is found to be the main
constituent of the plant responsible for several of its biological activities.
The use of heartwood as a colouring agent for wine, meat, fabric, etc. is well
established. It has the potential to hit the market as a safe natural colouring
agent with good medicinal value for food products, beverages and
pharmaceuticals. There is also a scope for further research to establish its
medicinal properties and to identify lead compounds for drug development