Pharmacognostical Evaluation of Caesalpinia sappan Heartwood
Caesalpinia span heartwood is used in folklore in India. The present work attempts to summarize the pharmacognostical characters of the heartwood of this plant. Ash and extractive values, phytochemical tests, HPTLC and fluorescence analysis were carried out. The present work contributes for the standardization of this medicinal heat wood.
Anticomplementary activity of constituents from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan.
The anticomplementary activity of compounds isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) was investigated. The sterol mixture (campesterol 11.2%, stigmasterol 18.9% and beta-sitosterol 69.9%) was most potent and brazilin, brazilein, and protosappanin E showed a new anticomplementary activity on the complement system in vitro.
Studies on oxidase activity in potato tubers II. o-phenylenediamine as a fluorometric reagent
1. 
1. A method is described for determining the phenol oxidase activity of potatoes by measuring the green fluorescence extracted with an organic solvent from potato maceration juice prepared in the presence of a dilute solution of o-phenylenediamine. 
 
2. 
2. The degree of fluorescence, measured against a standard of fluorescein, closely parallels the degree of color formation resulting from the o-phenylenediamine-potato juice reactions. 
 
3. 
3. The fluorescence, paralleling color, is in inverse relation to the blanching time and is completely extinguished in a 60-second blanch in boiling water. Like color formation, the fluorescence intensity reaches a maximum at approximately 35–43° C. and at a pH in the range of 4.9 to 5.5. 
 
4. 
4. The method was found to be reproducible within about six percent. It is highly sensitive so as to reveal even traces of enzymatic activity. 
 
5. 
5. It is assumed that the fluorescent material is identical with the orange-red compound formed under the same conditions and which has been provisionally designated as “Tyrophenazine”.