Dominican Medicinal Plants: A Guide for Health Care Providers

Availability: In New York City, the dried wood of this plant is sold at some botánicas (Latino/Afro-
Caribbean herb and spiritual shops).
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Palo de brasil (Caesalpinia brasiliensis) is a shrub or small tree that grows to 7 m with branches that are
covered with spines (2 mm long). Wood is orangish to dark red in the center and valued for its hard,
durable lumber. Leaves occur in an alternate pattern along branches and are twice-divided with 4-10
pinnae and 12-16 leaflets; leaflets are elliptical or oval in shape (2-3 cm). Flowers are arranged in small,
branching clusters; petals are greenish-white and covered with glandular dots. Fruits are long, narrow,
leguminous seed pods (7-8 cm long) that are pointed at the end and contain dark seeds (Liogier 1985).
Distribution: Endemic to the island of Hispaniola, this tree can be found in dry forest areas (Liogier
1985).
SAFETY & PRECAUTIONS
Unknown; insufficient information available in the literature.
Contraindications: Unknown; insufficient information available in the literature.
Drug Interactions: Unknown; insufficient information available in the literature.
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE
Although no clinical or preclinical studies of Caesalpinia brasiliensis have been identified in the available
literature, other closely-related species have demonstrated pharmacological properties: Caesalpinia crista
has shown anti-malarial effects (Linn et al. 2005); Caesalpinia bonducella has exhibited antidiabetic
(Chakrabarti et al. 2005), antioxidant, antibacterial and other properties (see table below). A US Patent
has been issued for antihypertensive compounds from Caesalpinia brasiliensis (BYU 2003).
Indications and Usage: Unknown; insufficient information available in the literature.
Laboratory and Preclinical Data: Caesalpinia and related species
Activity/Effect Preparation Design & Model Results Reference
Serine
proteinase
inhibition
Seeds of
Caesalpinia
echinata
In vitro
Inhibited blood coagulating &
fibrinolytic enzymes; isolated
CeKI compound
Xanthine
oxidase
inhibition
Anticancer &
antiinflammatory
Antibacterial
MeOh extracts of
Caesalpinia sappan
Methanol extract:
Caesalpinia sappan
Crude extract:
Haematoxylum
brasiletum
In vitro; 25 µg/mL
In vitro; cultured
mouse macrophage
cells
In vitro; against
Escherichia coli &
Staphylococcus
aureus
Showed strong xanthine
oxidase inhibitory activity
Active; inhibited nitric oxide
formation; potential
chemopreventive agent
Highly active, especially
against Staphylococcus
aureus
Cruz-Silva et al.
2004
Nguyen et al. 2004
Hong et al. 2002
Yasunaka et al.
2005
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