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INTRODUCTION

The skin is the large sensory organ that interacts with the environment and sends signals to the
brain about touch, pain vibration and position (eMedicinehealth). An intact skin serves as the first line of
defense of our body against infection. Any break in the skin whether simple cut, laceration, abrasion, or
puncture is an entry point for harmful microorganism to enter the body and cause disease from simple to
even worst infection. Wounds can be chronic or acute.
In the United States, chronic wounds is becoming a health problem because of highly-branded
disease as diabetes and obesity, and the treatment of chronic wound is becoming a burden because of
increasing health care cost. The need post-surgical wound care is also rising with technology. According
to National Health Center of Statistics (2000), 40 million in-patients surgical procedures were performed
followed by 31.5 million out-patient surgeries.
Emergency wound care in an acute setting has major significance not only in war setting but also
in homeland preparedness against natural disasters as floods and fire. An additional of wound healing is
the problem of skin scarring. Current research advances in the field have led to solutions that have been
effective in improving patient care. The immense economic and social impact of wounds in our society
calls for allocation of higher level of attention and resources.

Background of the Study


Akapulko (Cassia alata linn) is a shrub that is scientifically proven for curing fungal infections.
The plant is abundantly found in the Philippines. It is occasionally planted for either its ornamental or
medical use. Nowadays, Akapulko extract is commonly used as an ingredient for soaps, shampoos and
lotions. There are past researches that have showed Akapulko is not only proven to be scientifically
antifungal but also analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Several studies have tested
and frequently used Akapulko leaves in experiments, the roots and flowers and the body of the plant also
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may have medicinal value which was never used. There is no clear study and information about the
medical usage of the shrubs roots, flowers and body, but still there is a possibility of its safe potential
medical benefits since its leaves are beneficial and useful.
The researcher chose this plant because of its availability of materials which is copiously found in
the Philippines.

Statement of the Problem


This study shall be conducted to prove the possibility of Akapulko plant extract as an effective
wound disinfectant. Specifically the study will sought answers to the following sub problems.
1. Will the Akapulko plant extract serve as an effective wound disinfectant?
2. Can Akapulko plant extract prevent infection?
3. Will Akapulko plant extract as a wound disinfectant affect the Philippine economy?

Statement of the Hypothesis


Akapulko plant extract is proven to be a possible and efficient wound disinfectant.
1. The Akapulko plant extract is an effective wound disinfectant.
2. The Akapulko plant extract can prevent infection.
3. The Akapulko plant extract as a wound disinfectant will help the Philippine economy.

Significance of the Study


This study was conducted to know if the Akapulko plant as a whole is possible and effective as a
wound disinfectant, and present infections.
People, most especially in rural areas would only spend less compared buying commercial
medicine because of the simple process in making the medicine. The health status of the country would

improve not only since Akapulko is a common shrub found in the Philippines but also because everyone
can create it in their houses.
The government will ultimately benefit from the result of the study as using the plant extract as
organic medicine to cure some skin problems, the government burden on health can be lessened. Likewise
if preparation and packaging is improved, it can compete in the local market.
With the study, the researcher would gain experience while conducting the study. Also, additional
information would benefit other researchers who have researches in relation to the study.

Scope and Limitations


The study aims for the usefulness and effectiveness of the Akapulko plant as a disinfectant for
wounds. It also deals with the prevention of wound infections or any other skin damage inflicted by a
wound. The researcher used a pet dog with skin irritation as the specimen. In finding its usefulness and
effectiveness, the researcher mainly observed the effects and reactions the specimen encountered while
doing the application of the study.
The study will be conducted in the month of October, 2015 under normal room temperature
condition. This study will be only limited on using Akapulko plant as a main substance. The study will be
after the extracts effectiveness, side effects and reactions on the specimen.

Review of Related Literature and Studies


Related Literature
Akapulko or Acapulco in English is a shrub found throughout the Philippines. It is known under
various names in different regions in the country. Locals call the plant katanda, andadasi, and palochina in
Tagalog, Ilocos and in the Visayas regions, respectively. This medicinal herb contains chrysophanic acid,
a fungicide used to treat fungal infections, like ringworms, scabies, and eczema. Akapulko also contains
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saponin,

laxative

that

is

useful

in

expelling

intestinal

parasites.

The primary part used for herbal purposes are the leaves, although the roots and flowers are also
used for certain preparations with medicinal value. The extracts from the Akapulko plant is commonly
used as an ingredient for lotions, soaps, and shampoos. (Alvarez, 2014).
Akapulko is used by folks in the rural areas as treatment for various fungal infections by crushing
the leaves and applied it to the infected area. Fungal infections like tinea versicolor, commonly known as
an-an, ringworm, scabies, athletes foot and eczema.
Its root, flower and leaf decoction are used as laxative and weight loss. Its extract from the
akapulko plant is now used by dermatological companies as chief ingredient for their lotions, soaps and
shampoos (Cafe, 2011).
The leaves have orange rachis that has 16-28 leaflets. Akapulko leaves are also known to be
sudorific, diuretic and purgative, used to treat intestinal problems including intestinal parasites. Akapulko
is also used as herbal medicine to treat bronchitis and asthma. (De Leon, 2011).
The bayabas fruit bark and leaves are used as herbal medicine. Its leaves decoction is recognized
for its effectiveness to cure several ailments, including the treatment of uterine hemorrhage, swollenness
of the legs and other parts of the body, of chronic diarrhea, and gastroenteritis, among others. The most
common use of the leaves is for cleaning and disinfecting wounds by rinsing the afflicted area with a
decoction of the leaves. In the same way, such leaves are being used to aid in the treatment of dysentery
and the inflammation of the kidneys. The bark and leaves can be used as astringent. It can also be used as
a wash for uterine and vaginal problems, and is good for ulcers. The medicinal uses of bayabas appear
infinite, as it is also a suggested natural cure for fevers, diabetes, epilepsy, worms, and spasms. The fruit,
aside from being delicious, contains nutritional values with a very high concentration of vitamin A and
vitamin C (Alvarez, 2014).

A Nigerian study on Cassia alata-based soap exhibited high antimicrobial potency against Staph
aureus, the organism most widely encountered and undesirable of the normal skin flora. At a reduction
time of 5 mins, the herbal soap made a 94.78% reduction of the microbial load, findings of economic,
industrial and medical significance. In terms of antibacterial, Study showed the water extract of leaves to
have more portent antibacterial activity than the ethanol extract against S. aureus (Santiago, 2013).

Related Study
The use of plant materials to prevent and treat infectious diseases successfully over the years has
attracted the attention of scientists worldwide. The medicinal usefulness of the plant Cassia alata (Linn)
has been the object of many chemical and pharmacological studies. C. alata is an ornamental shrub or
tree growing up to 12 m high and widely available in the tropics, in the grasslands and around towns and
villages throughout West Africa. This tree, apart of its uses as sources of firewood and timber, has very
important applications in folkloric medicine. These trees are used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and other
gastrointestinal problems. The macerated juices of the young fresh leaves are used to treat eye infections
and parasitic diseases. The decoction of the stem bark and roots are used to treat urinary tract infections,
bronchitis and asthma. Several studies have been done to provide scientific basis for the efficacy of plants
in phytomedicine (Selvi, 2012).
In the United States, chronic wounds affect around 6.5 million patients. It is claimed that an
excess of US$25 billion is spent annually on treatment of chronic wounds and the burden is growing
rapidly due to increasing health care costs, an aging population and a sharp rise in the incidence of
diabetes and obesity worldwide. The annual wound care products market is projected to reach $15.3
billion by 2010. Chronic wounds are rarely seen in individuals who are otherwise healthy. In fact, chronic
wound patients frequently suffer from highly branded diseases such as diabetes and obesity. This seems
to have overshadowed the significance of wounds per se as a major health problem (Sen CK, 2009).

The study has confirmed that crude extracts of C. alata (Linn) possessed reasonable activity
against some bacteria and if adjusted to suitable conditions of temperature and pH and further purified
can be used to treat urinary tract and gastrointensinal tract disorders, provided the infections are caused by
susceptible bacteria. The effect of this plant against a wider range of bacteria and fungi, and toxicological
studies of the extracts is recommended (El-MAhmood, A.M. and Doughari, J.H., 2008).
Leaves of Cassia alata are ethnomedically claimed as anti-asthmatic. In tbe current study we
aimed to investigate the anti-allergic activities of hydro-mathanolic extract of Cassia alata (Linn.) and its
constituents rhein and kaempferol on triple antigen or sheep serum-induced mast-cell degranulation of
rats.
In this study we evaluated the antiseptic potentials of Cassia alata-based herbal soap formulated
in our laboratory.Cassia alata is known to contain some secondary metabolites like resin, saponin,
phenols,

flavonoids,

anthraquinone

glycosides

and

alkaloids

(Akinde et

al.,

1999).

These

phytoconstituents are also known to possess surface activity and other soap related properties. In previous
studies, Cassia alata has been found to possess excellent wound-healing properties (Benjamin and
Lamikanra, 1981; Palanichamy et al., 1991) and is also useful in the treatment of eruptive and pustular
skins conditions by rubbing crushed fresh leaves on infected area (Akindeet al., 1999).
The leaves of Cassia alata (1kg) were collected in the month of August, 2005 from different
mature plant stands in a bush at Nsukka, south-east Nigeria. The collected leaves were identified by Mr
Ekekwe formerly a garden staff at the Department of Botany, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The leaves
were air-dried, pulverized and stored in air-tight bottles for the studies.
The Cassia alata powder (200 g) was macerated in 500 ml of 95% ethanol in a 1 L capacity air-tight
conical flask, with occasional agitation, for 24 h after which the mixture was filtered. The ethanol extract
obtained was concentrated in vacuo and freeze-dried. The extract was subjected to a preliminary
antimicrobial activity, using the agar-well diffusion technique.
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The ethanol extract of Cassia alata (35.82 g) was incorporated into a soap formulated with Soduim
hydroxide, NaOH (1 g) and palm-kernel oil (8.4 g) using the cold saponification process. Briefly, the
NaOH (1 g) was weighed into a clean beaker containing 5 ml of distilled water. The extract was
incorporated into the hot palm-kernel oil which was then poured into the soda solution in the beaker with
continuous stirring with a glass rod until the molten mixture became homogenous. The semi-solid mixture
was poured into a mould and allowed to solidify. A commercial sample of an antiseptic soap was used
as a reference product in the study.
The agar-dilution method (Tilton and Howard, 1987; Baron and Finegold 1990) was employed in
the in vitroevaluation. The herbal soap (l g) was dissolved in distilled water (50 ml) to obtain a 2%
suspension. The suspension was vigorously shaken for dissolution of soap, dispersion of foam and for
homogeneity. Thereafter, a 1.0 ml portion of the soap solution was added to 20 ml of sterile molten
culture media in Petri-dishes and allowed to set. Then a 0.1 ml of standard inoculum of each test organism
was streaked on the plates which were then incubated under the standard conditions for the respective test
organism. Following incubation, plates were observed for the presence or absence of microbial growth.
The effect of the soap on the human skin surfaces was evaluated on the outer palms of the healthy
volunteers. Four healthy undergraduates (two males and two females) of the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka provided informed consent and were used for the topical test according to our institutional ethical
protocol. The skin of the palm was swabbed into sterile normal saline in Bijou bottles before washing
with the soap. After washing with the test and standard soaps, the outer-palms were flooded with 1ml of
standard inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus (108 cfu/ml) for 1 h. Thereafter, the surfaces were swabbed
into sterile normal saline in separate Bijou bottles. Aliquots from the respective treatments were cultured
and counted on agar plate count using the pour-plate technique. The killing rate was then determined by
the enumeration of viable counts.

In the preliminary antimicrobial sensitivity screening, the ethanol extract of Cassia alata showed
excellent activity against the test organisms (Table1). Many of these organisms are natural flora of the
skin and also known etiologic agents of several skin and mucous membranes infections of man. In
previous studies, the antimicrobial activity of Cassia alata extract has been attributed to the presence of
some active secondary metabolites and high acid values due to the hydrolysis of esters, as well as to the
abundance of phenolic (Esimone, et. al 2013).

METHODOLOGY
This study evaluated the efficacy of Akapulko plant as a wound antiseptic. The researcher
determined the antiseptic properties of the Akapulko plant. The researcher used leaves, trunk and root
and subjected them to certain processes. Extracts from the plant was naturally used for a certain period of
time for acute and chronic wounds. With the help of experts, the researcher determined the effectiveness
of the plant extracts as wound disinfectant to facilitate healing of new and chronic wounds, and prevent
infections for acute wounds.
Materials Used
The Akapulko plant was obtained in October 2015 and authenticated by an expert. This was kept
in a residential area of the researcher. Certain number of Akapulko leaves, roots and trunk was collected.
Water was used for extraction through boiling process.
General Procedure
The researcher obtained three samples like leaves, roots and trunk. Each sample was boiled with
1000ml in a metal pot. After boiling, solutions were cooled down and filtered. The samples was placed in
sterile plastic containers. The containers was labeled as to leaves, trunk and roots. A pet dog with skin
irritation or problem was used as specimen to test the extract. 50ml asepto syringe was used in applying
the extract on infected areas of the animal. Application was done twice a day, one in the morning and one
in the afternoon. The subject was observed daily as to its behavior and reaction to Akapulko plant extract
as disinfectant.

Sample
Leaves
Roots
Trunk

Table 1. Akapulko Plant Extract Concentration


Amount
15 pieces
20 grams
20 grams
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Findings
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Water (ml)
1000
1000
1000

Animals, whether pet or stray, suffer or gets similar skin problems as the human beings. The
difference is our reaction to the similar problem. Human beings can handle the same problem himself as
he can be taught and follow procedures of care. On the other hand, animals reaction to skin problem is to
continuously scratch the skin as defense and cure until it bleeds and gets more damage.
Applying the Akapulko extract continuously to the pet dog with skin irritation for two weeks, the
researcher observed that the itchiness and discomfort of the dog lessened as the frequency of scratching
decreased. The dog is able to sleep longer from its third day of application onward. This prevented further
injury to the skin and bleeding of the scratched areas were controlled. There was drying of the wounds on
the 4th 5th day and partial sloughing off of the dead skin on the 9 th day and thereafter as the wound
healed. Growth of hair in bald areas of the pet dog was also noted, though very slow, during the
application of the extract.

Fig. 1 1st day

Fig. 2 - 4th day

Fig. 3 6th day

Fig. 4- 10th day

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CONCLUSION
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Based on the findings and analysis from the experiment, the researcher concluded that:
1. Akapulko plant extract can be an effective wound antiseptic or disinfectant for acute and chronic
wounds and skin irritations.
2. Akapulko plant extract, used regularly and religiously, soothe itchiness thus preventing more
damage or irritation brought about by continuous scratching of the animal. Likewise, it dries up
wound easily thus preventing infection and promotes faster healing.
3. Akapulko plant survive and grows well in the Philippine soil and is abundant in all parts of the
country. The plant can survive all weathers and needs no extra attention and care to grow healthy
and fast. The Akapulko plant extract can even be a source of income for the government once
scientifically prepared for its medicinal effect and be commercialized.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Affleap (2011) Akapulko is Both Medicinal and Ornamental Plant- http://affleap.com/akapulko-isboth-ornamental-medicinal-plant/
Gordillo et.al. (2009) Human Skin Wounds: A Major and Snowballing Threat to Public Health and
the Economy- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2810192/
Selvi et.al. (2012) Studies on antimicrobial activites from flower extract of Cassia alata Linn.www.currentsciencejournal.info/issuespdf/Selvi-cassia.pdf
Riezen (2009) Akapulko (Acapulco) (Ringworm bush) Herbal Medicine - http://diseases-oflife.blogspot.com/2009/11/akapulko-acapulco-ringworm-bush-herbal.html
Akapulko- http://www.stuartxchange.com/Akapulko.html
Philippine

Herbal

Medicine:

Akapulko/

http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/akapulko.htm

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Acapulco

(Cassia

alata)-

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