REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Medicines, not only in the Philippines but all around the world are
produced out of herbal medicinal plants. Pateteg (Selliguea taeniata) is an
indigenous plant of the Kankana-ey tribe, Mt. Province.

It is very small to medium-sized ferns; epiphytic, lithophytic or rarely

terrestrial. Its rhizomes are either short- or long-creeping or climbing laterally
branched. The plants roots are formed ventrally, dorsally with 2 rows of frond
scars. Its Fronds is mono-, hemi-, or dimorphic, articulated or not; stipe short or
long; lamina simple to 2-pinnatified, entire or shallowly crenate and its vein are
either free or anastomosing. Indumentum composed of scales on the rhizome,
axes and lamina and hairs on the lamina surfaces, Sori circular (in ours),
superficial or slightly sunken, scattered or in a single row on either side of the
primary or secondary vein, with or without paraphyses; exindusiate. (Burrows,
J.E. 1990)

Pateteg (Selliguea taeniata) leaves was used by the Kankana-ey tribe of

the Mt. Province as a treatment not only for diarrhea but also in other stomach
problems by simply adding the powderized dried leaves of Pateteg (Selliguea
taeniata) in drinking water or by boiling it in drinking water. Pateteg (Selliguea
taeniata) was not yet known for its healing abilities thus its properties remain
unexplored.

The researchers were interested in discovering the general components of

Pateteg (Selliguea taeniata) to know if it really has healing ability for stomach
problems. The advocates of the study would also like to introduce Pateteg
(Selliguea taeniata) to the public.

Through phytochemical test, it was discovered that Pateteg (Selliguea

taeniata) leaves contain carbohydrates, phytosterols, phenolics, flavonoids and
proteins with the help of the Natural Science Research Unit- Saint Louis
University (NSRU-SLU) staff. This only means that Pateteg (Selliguea taeniata)
leaf extract has an antibacterial property, not only that; the researchers also found
out that Pateteg (Selliguea taeniata) also contains substances that can be used
antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory.

Behel api (Elaeagnus philippinensis) is a plant that is rare and indigenous

in the Mt. Provinces. This naturally graceful shrub laces out beautifully and can
be trained into a small tree to 10-12' whose branches will arch across a path or

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flower bed to provide welcome shade to more heat sensitive perennials beneath. It
is a fairly fast growing shrub but never overwhelms its space. It is evergreen and
has the added benefit of pale pink edible berries reminiscent of Red Currant.

Carbohydrates perform numerous roles in living organisms.

Polysaccharides serve for the storage of energy (e.g., starch and glycogen), and as
structural components (e.g., cellulose in plants and chitin in arthropods). The 5-
carbon monosaccharide ribose is an important component of coenzymes (e.g.,
ATP, FAD, and NAD) and the backbone of the genetic molecule known as RNA.
The related deoxyribose is a component of DNA. Saccharides and their
derivatives include many other important biomolecules that play key roles in the
immune system, fertilization, preventing pathogenesis, blood clotting, and
development.(Maton, Anthea et al, 1993)

Phytosterols are cholesterol-like molecules found in all plant foods, with

the highest concentrations occurring in vegetable oils. They are absorbed only in
trace amounts but inhibit the absorption of intestinal cholesterol including
recirculating endogenous biliary cholesterol, a key step in cholesterol elimination.
Natural dietary intake varies from about 167-437 mg/day. Attempts to measure
biological effects in feeding studies have been impeded by limited solubility in
both water and fat. Esterification of phytosterols with long-chain fatty acids
increases fat solubility by 10-fold and allows delivery of several grams daily in
fatty foods such as margarine..( Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and
Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis,
Missouri 63110, USA. Rostlund@im.wustl.edu)

Phenolic acids are plant metabolites widely spread throughout the plant
kingdom. Recent interest in phenolic acids stems from their potential protective
role, through ingestion of fruits and vegetables, against oxidative damage diseases
(coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers). Phenolic compounds are essential
for the growth and reproduction of plants, and are produced as a response for
defending injured plants against pathogens. The importance of antioxidant
activities of phenolic compounds and their possible usage in processed foods as a
natural antioxidant have reached a new high in recent years. According to the
study of Ray Sahelian, M.D.,

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are ubiquitous in nature and

are categorized, according to chemical structure, into flavonols, flavones,

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flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones. This study s
explaned by Dr. Donald R. Buhler and Dr. Cristobal Miranda. Over 4,000
flavonoids have been identified, many of which occur in fruits, vegetables and
beverages (tea, coffee, beer, wine and fruit drinks). The flavonoids have aroused
considerable interest recently because of their potential beneficial effects on
human health-they have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet,
anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities
(http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w00/flavonoid.html).

Proteins are large biological molecules consisting of one or more chains of

amino acids. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within living organisms,
including catalyzing metabolic reactions, replicating DNA, responding to stimuli,
and transporting molecules from one location to another. Proteins differ from one
another primarily in their sequence of amino acids, which is dictated by the
nucleotide sequence of their genes, and which usually results in folding of the
protein into a specific three-dimensional structure that determines its
activity.(Nelson D.L et al, 2005)

Because of the results, the researchers would like to know how effective the
antibacterial and antifungal property of Pateteg (Selligueataeniata) leaf extract to
the different test organisms by undergoing microbial screening. The researchers
used two bacteria namely Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus which
cause stomach problems.

The alkaloids are organic bases similar to the alkalies. A chemical

substance of plant origin composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Most alkaloids have pronounced effects on the nervous system of humans and
other animals thus, many are used as drugs. Some familiar alkaloids are caffeine,
nicotine, quinine, cocaine, and morphine. Alkaloids can be found in almost all
parts of these plants, including the leaves, roots, seeds, and bark. Each plant part
usually contains several chemically related alkaloids. The function of alkaloids in
plant metabolism is not known. Of the hundreds of alkaloids found in nature, only
about 30 are used commercially. Alkaloids must be extracted from plants before
they can be used. Some alkaloids, such as reserpine and morphine, are produced
artificially.

Some alkaloids, such as nicotine, are used in pesticides, and others are
used as chemical reagents. The primary use of alkaloids, however, is in medicine,
because they can act quickly on specific areas of the nervous system. Alkaloids

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are the active components of many anesthetics, sedatives, stimulants, relaxants,
and tranquilizers. They are taken by mouth and administered by injection. Except
under a physician's supervision, use of alkaloids is dangerous, because most are
habit-forming (for example, almost all narcotics are alkaloids) and large doses can
be poisonous. (Alkaloid.http://science.howstuffworks.com/)

Saponin has a distinctive foaming characteristic. They are found in many

plants and used for production of soaps. The ability of a saponin to foam is caused
by the combination of the nonpolar sapogenin and the water soluble side chain.
Saponins are bitter and reduce the palatability of livestock feeds. However if they
have a triterpenoidaglycone they may instead have a licorice taste as glucuronic
acid replaces sugar in triterpenoids. Some saponins reduce the feed intake and
growth rate of nonruminant animals while others are not very harmful. For
example, the saponins found in oats and spinach increase and accelerate the
body's ability to absorb calcium and silicon, thus assisting in digestion. Certain
pasture weeds contain substantial quantities of dangerous saponins and result in
life threatening toxicities for certain animal species.
(http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/)

Terpenoids are modified as terpenes and is the largest group of natural

compounds Manyterpenes have biological activities and are used for the treatment
of human diseases. terpenoids represent a chemical defense against environmental
stress and provide a repair mechanism for wounds and injuries. Interestingly,
effective ingredients in several plant-derived medicinal extracts are also terpenoid
compounds of monoterpenoid, sesquiterpenoid, diterpenoid, triterpenoid and
carotenoid groups. Inflammatory diseases and cancer are typical therapeutic
indications of traditional medicines. Thus, they are very effective as anti-oxidants.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

Steroids are necessary in maintaining life. They treat variety of problems.

These steroids are similar to hormones that adrenal glands make to fight stress
associated with illnesses and injuries. They reduce inflammation and affect the
immune system. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/)

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