JMJ

Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena

NOTRE DAME – SIENA COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY
NLSA Road Extension, Purok Masagana, San Isidro, General Santos City

A SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

The Efficacy of

Kalipipi Acalypha Indica

Extract Soap on Wounds

PRESENTED TO:

Mr. Marvin Bacos

PROPONENTS:

John Christian Andrae O. Rasgo

Janeil T. Gabaldon
Antonia Clarisse F. Suan
Colewayne Daniel Cabatic
Rheine Dane Gallo

November 2017
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Rapid growth in the use of herbs as medicine has triggered various researchers

to study the properties of certain plants that can cure certain ailments and diseases and

kill harmful organisms. The study of the healing wonders of plants has challenged even

those highly industrialized nations in the Western world.

Presently, plant constitutes along the seaweeds are the primary precursors

resources of drugs. Some of the important drugs derive their components from herbal

plats. The herbals may be a source of antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic, sedatives,

stimulants, insecticides, aschelmintics, and other pharmaceutical products.

In line with the government’s primary health campaign, there is a need therefore

to fully maximize the use of indigenous plant resources in the revitalization of the use of

herbal medications through scientific proven methods.

Based on these bits of information, the researchers conceived the idea to

investigate the effects of Kalipipi Acalypha indica leaves extract soap on infectious

wounds to provide pupils and low income families a cheaper medicinal alternative as

compared to the more expensive commercial germicidal soap readily available in the

market.

Furthermore, a proposed utilization plan for all school administrators in our

district is recommended to fight the cost of medicines which keep on soaring high and

only a small fraction of the Filipino population can avail themselves of this drug.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the efficacy of the soap extracted from Kalipipi

Acalypha Indica on infected wounds as compared to washing the wounds with typical

germicidal soap and simple tap water.

Specifically it sought to answer the following inquiries:

1. What is the antimicrobial activity of Acalypha indica Kalipipi soap extract?

2. What are the effects of the antimicrobial soap extract to the infected wound of

children after 14?

3. What are the effects of antimicrobial soap extract on the skin allergies of the child

after 14 days?

Objectives

This study aims to:

1. Distinguish the antimicrobial activity of Acalypha Indica Kalipipi

soap extract.

2. Identify the effects of the antimicrobial soap extract to the infected

wound of children after 14 days.

3. Determine the effects of antimicrobial soap extract on the skin

allergies of the child after 14 days.

Significance of the Study

This is a fact-finding study and the findings of which will be helpful to the

following people:
The Parents. This study will give them ideas that through this extracted soap can help

them to heal easily the infected wound of their child. There’s no need for them to go to

the doctor and bring out money.

The Child. This study will be more helpful to them that in a simple way they can heal

their wounds applying this extracted soap of Acalypha Indica Kalipipi.

The Researchers. This study will help them to acquire knowledge about the

effectiveness of Acalypha Indica Kalipipi.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses in determining the effectiveness of the soap extracted from

Kalipipi Acalypha Indica on infected wounds. To test the functionality of our finished

product, we tested it only to children whose age ranged from 9-13 years old. It is

because our primary targets are the children at school ages since they are the age in

which they are very active and are prone to wounds and skin allergies. This soap

product is tested to both genders but not to infants since it may have irritations on their

skin due to the presence of NaOH on the ingredients. This can be applied to adults but

it is expected that it will take a longer healing time due to physiological degradation.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

The Philippines has a rich tradition of herbal medicine use. From traditional

healers in the countryside to housewives who created remedies from their backyard

garden, the use of plants for medicinal purposes remains an alternative to modern

healing practices. This tradition dates back centuries and has been passed down from

generation to generation. Although seemingly taking over by onslaught of modern

scientific healing techniques, the practice of herbal medicine in the Philippines

continues to flourish. Because the cost of healthcare continues to soar and the rise of

drug prices remains limitless, alternative modes of treatment have been sought out both

by the government and non-government sectors. A practical solution to this problem is

to tap natural remedies that are already in use by many Filipinos. By scientifically

validating these remedies, reliable yet economical ways of treating disease can be

made available to the public at large.

At the onset, researchers in the Philippines have individually attempted to

scientifically validate the use of certain herbal concoctions for the treatment of specific

diseases. In general, the output of these researches has not been fully tapped as there

was no venue where such knowledge could be consolidated and be put to practical use.

It was only in 1974 when a group of researchers from different sectors and institutions

organized themselves and put up the National Integrated Research Program on

Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP), a research body which aimed to systemize the study of
medicinal plants in the Philippines which an end goal of providing safe, effective and

affordable pharmaceutical products derived from commonly available plants.

Acalypha indica Linn. (Acalypha indica) vernacularly called Kuppaimeni in Tamil,

has been used as a folklore medicine since ages for the treatment of wounds by tribal

people of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The present study investigates the biochemical

and molecular rationale behind the healing potential of Acalypha indica on dermal

wounds in rats.

Acalypha indica extract (40 mg/kg body weight) was applied topically once a day

on full-thickness excision wounds created on rats. The wound tissue was removed and

used for estimation of various biochemical and biophysical analyses and to observe

histopathological changes with and with-out extract treatment. The serum levels of pro-

inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was measured at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h

and 72 h post-wounding using ELISA. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

(RT-PCR) analysis was performed to study the expression pattern of transforming

growth factor [TGF-β1], collagen 1 α (I) [Col 1 α (I)] and collagen 3 α (I) [Col 3 α (I)].

Likewise, linear incision wounds were created and treated with the extract and used for

tensile strength measurements.

Wound healing in control rats was characterized by less inflammatory cell

infiltration, lack of granulation tissue formation, deficit of collagen and significant

decrease in biomechanical strength of wounds. Acalypha indica treatment mitigated the

oxidative stress and decreased lipid peroxidation with concomitant increase in ascorbic

acid levels. It also improved cellular proliferation, increased TNF-α levels during early
stages of wound healing, up-regulated TGF-β1 and elevated collagen synthesis by

markedly increasing the expression of Col 1 α (I) and Col 3 α (I). Increased rates of

wound contraction, epithelialization, enhanced shrinkage temperature and high tensile

strength were observed in the extract treated rats.

Acalypha indica extract was shown to augment the process of dermal wound

healing by its ability to increase collagen synthesis through up-regulation of key players

in different phases of wound healing and by its antioxidative potential.

To this date, a number of plants have already been studied and proven to be

safe and effective. Pharmaceutical dosage forms of some of these plants have already

been marketed and sold to the general public as affordable alternatives to traditional

drugs. Scientific validation of newly identified plants is also underway. A part from

NIRPROMP, many other institutions are now taking interest in herbal medicine

research. Although still a long way to go, herbal medicine research in the Philippines

continues to thrive and will hopefully pave the way for more affordable medicine for

Filipinos.

At present, there are 10 plants which have been identified for such herbal uses.

These plants are well-studied and have passed safely and efficacy tests. These are the:

1. Acapulco (Cassia Alata) - for ringworms and skin fungal infections

2. Malaya (Momordica Charantia)- for diabetes mellitus, for the non-insulin dependent

patients
3. Bawang (Allium Sativum)- for reducing cholesterol in the blood thus reduce high

blood pressure

4. Bayabas (Psidium Guajava)- as antiseptic, to disinfect wounds, or as a mouthwash to

treat tooth decay and gum problem

5. Lagundi (Vitex Negundo) - for reliving coughs and asthma

6. Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica)- for eliminating intestinal worms particularly the

Ascaris and Trichina

7. Sambong (Blumea Balsamifera)- for helping the excretion of urinary stones

8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia Microphylla Lam.)- for treating intestinal motility and mouth

wash since its leaves have high fluoride content

9. Unassuming Baton (Peperoni Pellucid) - for arthritis and gout

10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium Douglasii)- as analgesic to relieve body aches and pains

Preparation and use of such medicinal plant products can easily be done at

home, thus providing safe, effective and cost effective alternative modes of treatment.

Abdelsam’s (1993) studied on the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica Linn) leaf extract.

The researchers, inspired by the positive results of the experiment conducted,

was motivated to investigate further on the effect of the soap extract of Tinospora

Rumphii Boerl, locally known as Panyawan, to all skin disorders and infected wounds

on human beings.
 CHAPTER III

PROCEDURES

Materials/Ingredients

 200g of Kalipipi leaves  Beakers

 1 wire gauze  Tripod

 1 blender  1 drop of lavender scent

 Scissors  2 ½ cups of tap water

 Erlenmeyer Flask  118.2 mL NaOH or lye

 Stirring rod  443.6 mL coconut oil

 Spring scale  Soap molders

Procedures

1. Get the leaves of the kalipipi acalypha indica and wash it.

2. Pre-heat the 2 ½ cups of tap water. Then simmer the leaves of the kalipipi

acalypha indica for 10 minutes.

3. Cooldown the water with kalipipi acalypha indica extract. Then mixed it to the

118.2 mL NaOH or lye.

4. Stir the kalipipi acalypha indica extract and lye mixture until it will become

cloudy.

5. Put the mixture into the blender. And if the texture will become
 CHAPTER IV

DATA RESULTS

Subject Age Gender Wound Size Number of Days to

Heal
A 10 M 8.92 mm 3
B 16 F 0.13 mm 2
C 45 F 40.49 mm 7
D 43 M 30.14 mm 7
E 25 M 22.71 mm 5
F 24 F 14.23 mm 4

The data above shows the results from the experimentation of the kalipipi

acalypha indica soap. The result gives us conclusion that the experiment for it has a

good result although it needs more improvement to control the smell of the extract and

the factors that it can heal in shorter days.

 CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

Therefore we, the researchers, have found out after the experiment that the soap

made from the extracted Kalipipi Acalypha indica is much effective in healing wounds

and skin allergies in just 14 days. This also shows that the alkaloid, acalyphine, and

phytochemicals of Kalipipi Acalypha indica leaves are the active constituents

responsible for the healing of cuts, wounds, and skin allergies.

We are very much certain that the subjects’ continuous use of soap will find

complete healing from their wound and allergies in a faster time frame. This is a great

alternative to commercial products since it’s economical, user -friendly and highly

effective. In these days of a sharply declining economy where unemployed, high

inflation rates and high cost of living, Filipinos need more alternative medicines that are

cheaper but are just as effective as synthetic ones and which do not have harmful side

effects.

Recommendations

After the findings, the following are recommended proposals for further studies.

1. The plant collection should be done early in the morning and the extraction of its juice

should be done immediately to have more extract

2. Other parts of the plant must be analyzed for another possible medicinal effect.
3. A study on wounds of animal pets like dogs, cats and roosters May be conducted too

4. Further studies should be conducted on any toxic effects of the soap extract to

identify the safety limit of its medication.

 APPENDICES

Materials
Procedures