Secang (Caesalpinia Sappan) : Telaah Aktifitas Biologis Dan Potensi Pemanfaatannya

Abstract

Plant resources serve abundant useful biological active substances. Secang, a local name of Caesalpinia sappan (Leguminosae), promise high possibility for a  broad-ranging purposes due to its biological activities. In traditional manner, the wood of secang is used for coloring agent for beverages, foods and cosmetics. Several  phytochemicals were isolated from the secang extract, including brazilin, brezilein, protosappanin, 4-0-methy/ sappanol, caesalpin, kampesterol and b-sitosterol. Secang extract and the compounds thereformhave been reported to possess a huge variety of  biological activities such asantioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, natural contraceptive and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor.The biological  activities of the extracts andph vtochemicals ftrom secang may give scientific basis for their application in agricultural, food processing, medical and other industries.