Brazilin is a organic heterotetracyclic compound that is a red pigment obtained from the wood of Caesalpinia echinata (Brazil-wood) or Caesalpinia sappan (sappan-wood). It has a role as a plant metabolite, a histological dye, an antineoplastic agent, a biological pigment, an anti-inflammatory agent, an apoptosis inducer, an antioxidant, an antibacterial agent, a NF-kappaB inhibitor and a hepatoprotective agent. It is an organic heterotetracyclic compound, a member of catechols and a tertiary alcohol.