Activity 1

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AKAPULKO LEAVES(SENNA ALATA) EXTRACT WITH GARLIC IN REMOVING FUNGAL INFECTION

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

           Cassia alata  known as "akapulko"  is a shrub found throughout the Philippines. It is known under various names in different regions in the country.  The shrub belongs to the family of Leguminosae, and grows about one to two meters tall. It has thick branches and the leaves are embraced with 8 to 20 leaflets that are oblong-elliptical in shape. The flowers of the Akapulko have oblong sepals, and its fruits are tetragonal, which are also winged and glabrous.

   Akapulko, according to Medical Health Guidelines (2006) at www.doh.gov.ph, is used as herbal medicine and is a shrub that grows wild in the tropical climate of Philippines. Akapulko is widely used in the Philippines as herbal medicine. The akapulko leaves contain chrysophanic acid, a fungicide that is used to treat fungal infections, like ringworms, scabies and eczema. Akapulko leaves are also known to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, used to treat bronchitis and asthma. Because of Akapulko’s anti-fungal properties, it is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines. The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) has helped develop the technology for an akapulko herbal medicine lotion. Akapulko is a herbal plant approved by Department of Health; Herbal medicine use to maintain or improve their health. Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are always safe and good for them; natural herbs are other natural remedies can be as effective as traditional treatment, often without the same negative side effects.

        Furthermore, the juice from the leaves has been used as a cure for poisonous bites and venereal eruptions. When mixed with lime juice, it has been used for ringworm and other skin diseases (Quisumbilg 1978). It is used as a remedy for skin diseases, like herpes and ringworms because of its chysophanic acid content ( Bunyiplana, 1963).

In a research done in Malaysia 1995, the ethanolic extract of Cassia alata leaves was investigated for its anti-microbial activities on several micro-organisms including bacteria, yeast dermatophytic fungi. In vitro, the extract exhibited a high activity against various species of dermatophytoc fungi, but low activity against non-dermatophytic fungi. However, bacterial and yeast species showed resistance against in vitro treatment with the extract.

Another similar study was done in Chiang Mai University which showed that 35% ethanolic extract from Cassia alata Linn leaves demonstrated antifungal activity against T. mentagophyte, T. rubrum and M. gypsum. The activity was determined by agar diffusion method (Nanthachit).

In a study done by the Department of Pharmacology in the University of the Philippnes, Manila, powder, leaves, and lotion from akapulko and powder and defatted extract from leaves of amplaya reduced the genotoxic activity of dimethylnitrosamine, methylmethanesulfate and tetracycline. This was shown by the reduction of chromosome breaking effects of these genotoxins as induced by the difference drugs preparations from akapulko and amplaya (Balboa and Sylianco, 1992).

 Like any drugs, the Akapalko extract was also tested for its side effects. Dr. Xenia Tigno and Dr. Angelica Francisco found that excessive use of lagundi, akapulko and damong maria can cause diverse effects. The plant extracts consist of different chemical components which may not be needed to treat a given disorder. The haphazard use – just to facilitate treatment of a given disorder – enhances other body processes which could adversely promote other body activities. Such scenario may lead to side effects. For instance, frequent and excessive use of the akapulko to treat a skin disorder can cause itchiness. This side effect can be compared to a person who takes a dose of paracetamol which eases body aches or pains but promote dizziness. The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) explained that the side effects are caused by other chemical components which are superfluous to the cure of the skin disorders and promote itchiness. The NRCP researchers recommend that an extensive study be conducted to isolate or separate the chemical components which are not needed to treat skin disorders and avoid unwanted effects. Through further investigation, a variety of medicine can be developed for specific disorders without side effects.

 Akapulko lotion produced from Cassia alata, Linn, is clinically proven as an effective treatment for tinea versicolor locally known as “an-an”. Clinical trials have established its efficacy and safety in comparison with commercially available anti-fungal creams, particularly sodium thiosulfate. Akapulko lotion is estimated to cost about 67% less than its counterpart in the same therapeutic category. The year 1998 stamped another important milestone in herbal medicine research and development. It saw the transfer of akapulko lotion as anti-fungal to the private sector for commercialization. Under a license agreement with DOST-PCHRD, Pascual Laboratories Inc., will soon make available akapulko lotion in the commercial market.

REFERENCES

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/candlesticks.htm.

“Cassia alata Linn”. http://www.snpthai.com/en/herbal-extract/supplements/cassia-alata-extract.  

http://www.tropilab.com/cassia-ala.html. 

Wikipedia. “Senna alata.” Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senna_alata.