Education in the social sciences plays an important role in developing students

sense of identity and influencing the ways in which they understand, participate in
and contribute to local, national and global communities.

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The Philippines has a vast variety of medicinal plants that have been long used even
before the Spanish era. These practices had been passed on generations to generation. But due to
the migration of people foreign medicinal plants are also becoming popular in our country.
Currently the use of herbal medicine is becoming more recognized and appreciated than it was
before. Advances and developments in technology made it more convenient and easy for the
researchers to identify and analyze the therapeutic properties of a plant material that can be
valuable in modern medicine. Ashitaba ( Angelica keiskeis koidzumi) is a plant indigenous in
Japan. This plant has been stated in many ancient Japanese medical writings. It is believed that
this plant is suitable for people with lifestyle and metabolic diseases. Hypercholesterolemia
raises the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It is not an illness itself but merely a
condition that can be linked to serious diseases. This condition may be inherited or may be a
consequence of another disorder such as hypothyroidism, alcohol dependence, kidney failure,
and diabetes mellitus. Lifestyle changes can also be a factor in this state. Based on the 2008
FNRI study on cholesterol levels among Filipinos showed that 31.3% of 7,700 Filipinos polled
had borderline high to high cholesterol levels. Of the number, 10.2% had confirmed high
cholesterol levels of more than 240 mg/dL, while 21.2% were borderline at 200 mg/dL - 239
mg/dL, based on the result of the 2008 survey results. Survey respondents between 50 and 59
years had the highest cholesterol levels at 48% while 17% of respondents 20 to 29 years old had
borderline high to high cholesterol levels. Simply put, the risk of having elevated cholesterol
levels increased with age, the FNRI said. The incidence, also called hypercholesterolemia, is
more common among women.
[1]
In connection to this, the study aims to know if the traditional use of ashitaba plant has a
scientific bearing. It will be focusing in the effectiveness of ashitaba leaves and stems in
lowering the high blood cholesterol of rabbits. _________________ [1] Philippine daily inquirer
by: Tarra Quismundo March 28, 2012
Background of the Study
Angelica keiskei koidzumi
, Family Umbelliferae locally known as Ashitaba (Dahon ng Kinabukasan). is a plant originated
and widely cultivated in Japan. It is long been used in Japan and has a variety of medicinal uses
for different ailments such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-
cancer and beneficial to the heart due to the antioxidants(chalcones) it contains, for it purifies the
blood which lowers blood pressure (hypocholesterolemia). In May 2003 Ashitaba Plant entitled
as King of Herb by Nutraceuticals and surpasses the therapeutic effect and demand of Green Tea.
Ashitaba stem contains the thick, sticky-yellow juice, which is not found in other celery plants
which is called the Chalcones. According to Dr. Baba "Chalcone" is the most valuable and
characteristic element found only in Hachi Jo Island grown Ashitaba, and in 109th, II Oth, and
113th Japan Pharmaceutical Research Publication confirmed Chalcone's effectiveness in
preventing cancer, gastric ulcer, thrombus and AIDS as well a antibiotic.
Statement of the Problem
The study aims to determine the effectiveness of ethanolic extract obtained in
Angelica keiskei koidizum
(ashitaba) leaves and stems for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in rabbits. Specifically, the
study will sought answers from the following questions: 1.
What is/are the active component/s present in Angelica keiskei (ashitaba) leaves that is
responsible in lowering the induced high blood cholesterol in rabbits? 2.

Are there any significant changes in the cholesterol level of rabbits?

Significance of the Study

It is believed that the study will benefit the following: To the Medical Field The result of the
study can be beneficial to the medical field in further understanding the therapeutic properties of
ashitaba plant. This can also be a basis for a more advance analysis and identification of the
pharmaceutical material that the plant bears. To the Public In a view of the fact that many people
had turned to herbal medicine in treating and/or preventing several diseases, this study can be a
useful tool in determining scientifically the proper therapeutic use of the ashitaba plant. To the
Future Researchers Since ashitaba plant is becoming well known in our country, this study can
be a useful reference to the future researchers. It can encourage and motivate them to further
expand the study into a wider point of view by not confining the study in the effects of the leaves
of the plant extract in the reduction of cholesterol level in rabbits.
Scopes and Limitations of the Study
The study will be confined on the effect of ashitaba extract in high cholesterol level in rabbits.
These will be achieved by inducing high blood cholesterol level in rabbits. The plant sample will
be collected and prepared for extraction. The ashitaba

extract will be introduced to the rabbits as an agent in lowering their high blood cholesterol level.
Laboratory experimentation such as; Confirmatory test for the plants active constituents and
blood cholesterol level checking in rabbits and The experimentation period will take two months.
Hypothesis
There is a significant change in the cholesterol level of the rabbits when ethanolic extract of
Ashitaba is introduced in their diet.
Definition of Terms
For the purpose of understanding, the following terms are defined:
Chalcone.
a yellow crystalline ketone C6H5CHCHCOC6H5 made by the condensation of benzaldehyde
and acetophenone; also : any of various derivatives of this compound, several of which are plant
pigments related to the flavones. (Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary)
Extract
.this refers to a concentrated preparations of vegetable drugs obtained by removal of active
constituents of the respective drugs with suitable menstrual (U.S Pharmacopeia)
Flavonoids.
any of a group of oxygen-containing aromatic antioxidant compounds that includes many
common pigments: as the anthocyanins and flavones (Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary)
Herbal Medicine.
the art or practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and to prevent,
alleviate, or cure disease. (Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary)

Maceration.
Process of soften
ing something solid by soaking. (Mosbys Distionary)

Percolation.
the act of filtering any liquid through a porous medium. (Mosbys
Dictionary 3
rd
ed.)
Phytochemical.
non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties.
( Scribd.com)

Research on the Effects of Ashitaba, Angelica

Keiskei Koidzumi
By Dr. Kevin Lance Jones, L.Ac., O.M.D.

Little is known about the world of Herbal Medicine. Of all the plant species in the world,
only five percent (5%) have been cataloged. Of that five percent that have been
cataloged, a full one quarter (1/4) or tweet - five percent (25%) have medicinal qualities.
There is the example of Taxol, an anti-uterine cancer drug that is derived from the bark
of the Yu tree.
Another shinning example of a newly discovered herbal medicine is ASHITABA. Its
name literally translates to "Early Growth" in Japanese. It was named so because of its
ability to grow very fast and exhibit a strong Qi or energetic life force.

What is Ashitaba?

Ashitaba is indigenous to a small area called the Seven Islands of Izu. It is a herbaceous
plant that grows year round. This greenish yellow vegetable has been mentioned in
many ancient Japanese Medical Writings. It has been consumed as a vegetable and
medicine for many hundreds of years by the local island herbalists. Ashitaba contains a
variety of vitamins, minerals, proteins and plant fiber. This powerful strain of Angelica
was unknown until recently. Only a few islanders knew of this herb and kept it a
guarded secret.With the coming of the information age, news of this healing plant began
to reach beyond the Seven Islands of Izu. The leaves and stems are used to extract a
yellowish liquid from the plant.

The Properties and Therapeutic Uses of Ashitaba

In this section I will endeavor to explain the therapeutic actions of Angelica Keiskei
Koidzumi or Ashitaba in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine as practiced currently in
the People's Republic of China. One of the fundamental actions of Ashitaba is that it is
great at activating Qi and Xue (Blood). The application for this is apparent in the
treatment in the menstrual problems. It removes stagnation in the uterus, which will
help with many menstrual difficulties. It also increases blood flow (activates Qi and
Blood). This herb, which can be used by it self alone, increases Kidney Yin and Yang Qi.

The increase of the Kidney Yang Qi will act as a diuretic and increase the urine output.
In Japan, Ashitaba is used to treat hypertension. As a diuretic it has no side effects such
as western medicines frequently have. It increases the libido (sex drive) for those
persons with Kidney Yang Xu (deficiency). In terms of the increase in Kidney Yin Xu
(deficiency), this herb is wonderful in treating the problem of Peri- menopause. With a
Kidney Yin Xu (deficiency) one of the cardinal symptoms in women is irregular or no
menstruation. The usual four to six years of peri menopause that women in their middle
forties to early fifties in age experience could be made much more comfortable with the
use of Ashitaba. Because this herb warms the uterus, it is very useful in treating
menstrual cramps and pain, regardless of the age of the patient.

Ashitaba is a useful Lactagogue, that is, an agent which induces the secretion of
mother's milk. There is anecdotal evidence from Japan of a cow that was fed Ashitaba
and had record milk production. By analogy, Ashitaba could be used with mastitis or low
milk production after delivery.

Ashitaba harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach. It helps to balance the Earth element.
There is a patient in Texas that has Insulin- Dependent Diabetes that is currently taking
the herb. He says that he now has to use less Insulin because his blood sugar no longer
spikes with attacks of Hyperglycemia. Another Diabetes patient in Japan took Ashitaba
for six months and his blood sugar level droped from 400 mg./dL to 150 mg./dL. Dr.
Baba at Osaka University School of Pharmacy has published a paper showing the
decrease of the rate of acid production in the stomach with Ashitaba. In her paper he
also showed a decrease in the severity of stress related to stomach ulcers. The extract of
Angelica Keiskei Koidzumi also exhibited an anti-bacterial action.

Research in Japan has shown that Ashitaba has anti- viral properties. At a 1993
Pharmacology Forum in Japan, it was reported that A a demonstrated antiHIV activity.

The Active Factors in Ashitaba

Chalcones are the active factors in Angelica Keiskei Koidzumi. The two that are in
Ashitaba are known as Xanthoangelol and 4- Hydrooxyderricin. These were discovered
by Dr. Baba. These factors are found only in this strain of Angelica and are derived from
the yellowish liquid extract of the leaves and stems. This differentiates it from any other
strain of Angelica.

Types of Angelica
The Angelica Family has a history as a medicinal herb and health food since ancient
times in both China and Japan. In Mainland China and Taiwan the root of the Angelica
Senesis has been popular for thousands of years and is frequently called the "Woman's
Ginseng." Ashitaba, has an anti- viral property that is not present in Dang Gui (Tang
Kuei). The Ashitaba extract is a gentler medicine that can be taken frequently and at bed
time without the stimulating effect that Dang Gui has, especially on women. Because it
is gentler, it can be tolerated better by peri- menopausal women.

Cancer Research and Ashitaba

Dr. Toru Okuyama at Meiji University, College of Pharmacy tested Ashitaba on mice
with tobacco- induced lung cancer and skin melanomas. In this six month study the skin
cancer mice were given an external application of the Ashitaba extract. The article stated
that the cancer was controled-with this therapy. In the tobacco- induced lung cancer the
mice were given the extract of Ashitaba in fluid and food form. The article stated that
the lung cancer progression stopped with the oral Ashitaba therapy.

DIPOSKAN OLEH LAURENTIUS EKAPRABHANA, MM,MSI,MH DI 10.26

K I R I M K A N I N I L E WAT E M A I L B L O G T H I S ! B E R B A G I K E T W I T T E R B E R B A G I K E
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